Today on Turlington Plaza, students can buy treats for a sweet cause.
Two organizations focused on childhood cancer, Momcology and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, are holding a bake sale on Turlington Plaza from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for donations to support childhood cancer research.
The goal is to raise $1,000 and awareness, said Christine Kinsey, one of the “momcologists” hosting the sale. Momcology is a nonprofit that connects about 4,500 cancer parents around the world for peer support and medical information sharing. The bake sale will have 1,004 baked goods, Kinsey said. There is no set price on the sweets.
“It’s for donation,” Kinsey said. “So take something and give what your heart leads you to give.”
The proceeds will support phase-one research, including new treatments, development, research and drugs. Kinsey said current treatments are outdated and survival rates for children with cancer are not good enough.
Kim Buff said she founded Momcology after her son was diagnosed with cancer. She said she found support from parents in the similar situations.
“It really brought a lot of light to my life meeting these women,” she said.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, so Momcology partnered with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer to hold more than 60 nationwide bake sales. Kinsey said UF was a great venue.
“There’s no place else in Gainesville where you could reach out to the young people that are just getting started at the beginning of their careers, and maybe give them a heart for kids with cancer,” she said.