With cupcakes and smiles, teens and tweens raise $2,085 for pediatric cancer unit

Cupcakes4Cancer, a group of teens and tweens dedicated to raising money for the pediatric cancer unit at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, presented a check for $2,085 to Jon Strasser, M.D, radiation oncologist, on Aug. 6t.

They raised all that money without even selling one cupcake.

Instead, the group came up with a unique and successful fundraising strategy: They simply gave the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes away for free and asked for donations.

“Since the money was going to fight cancer, people were more than happy to give,” said Justin Horowitz, 16, a junior at Unionville High School in Kennett Square, Pa.

The group was started in September 2009 by a few families from the Jewish community who wanted to help others out. Last year, the group raised $1,754.

“Cancer was an obvious choice, since we all know someone who has been touched by cancer,” said Zack Horowitz, 14, a freshman at Unionville High School.

Donors included their school peers, neighbors and strangers. Jill Flambaum, whose twin 12-year-old daughters Haley and Sydney are members of Cupcakes4Cancer, said the young people acquired a number of life and work skills from the project.

“Not only are they contributing their time and even their own money, but they also are learning important leadership skills,” Flambaum said. “They are learning how best to ask total strangers to give. They also are learning how to delegate responsibilities when it comes to baking the cupcakes and, just as crucial, they are learning about the importance of cleaning the kitchen afterward.”

Dr. Strasser said the Cupcakes4Cancer members are directly benefiting the children being treated in the pediatric cancer unit at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

“These young people found ways to influence others and they are also learning about the value of philanthropy at a very young age,” he said. “We are honored to have such strong support from them.”