Did you know that elephants rarely get cancer? I have learned so much in the past few weeks as we have partnered with Kneaders Bakery & Cafe to share with you about their “Hope Fights Childhood Cancer” Campaign in September.
During the month of September at all Kneaders Bakery & Cafe locations, all locations will be selling Elephant Cookies. All proceeds from the cookies with go to the Hope Fights Childhood Cancer Campaign.
ELEPHANTS & CANCER
Dr. Joshua Schiffman, MD serves as the Medical Director of the High Risk Pediatric Cancer Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute where he cares for children and families with inherited risk for cancer. His specific clinical interests are cancer susceptibility in families, with a focus on the genomic changes necessary for cancer development. He is currently studying elephants and their genes related to why they rarely get cancer.
This video details Dr. Schiffman’s initial partnership with the Hogle Zoo. He is no longer collecting blood, but this is a great intro to his initial partnership and how he got started in his research with elephants.
ONE MOM’S STORY
Heidi Day is a mom who has a story of courage and hope. I recently had a chance to chat with her on the phone, and her journey gave me such inspiration. Heidi was diagnosed with cancer during her high school years. What a challenging time in life to go through childhood cancer.
She shared with me that on the first day of Chemotherapy, she was so discouraged. All the younger kids at the children’s hospital got her through that experience. She said they were all playing and smiling when she walked in. They had a choice – and we all do when we face a struggle – we can fight with hope and positivity!
Heidi had intense Chemotherapy for 2 years, and she beat cancer. She got married, and now has a beautiful family with 4 thriving children. She and her husband opened the Kneaders Bakery and Cafe in Parker, CO. She loves the Hope Fights Campaign, as she has been in remission for 14 years and she knows this program makes a difference.
“Cancer changes everyone it affects – your family, your support system.” Heidi told me. “It is OK that it will change you. It made me stronger. I saw how other people served me.”
Her advice, when you know someone who is going through cancer, is to look inside yourself. Do what you are good at. If you are good with words, send a card. If you are a great listener, go sit and listen. It makes a difference.
HOPE FIGHTS CHILDHOOD CANCER
Kneaders’ has a goal to sell 50,000 Elephant Cookies in the month of September. The cookies are $3.99, and 100% of the proceeds go to childhood cancer research. They are delicious! If you would like to place a larger order of cookies, you can call one of the locations below. They would need a one day notice for large orders. Inside the store, the locations will also have many elephant related gift items, which are adorable and would be perfect for baby nursery decor or gifts for kids and adults.
Kneaders Bakery & Cafe Locations:
13482 Bass Pro Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, 719-434-4126
3430 Cinema Pt, Colorado Springs, CO 80922, 719-362-8820