OXFORD – The Oxford Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society is proud to host its 3rd annual Cookies for Kids’ Cancer event on May 20. The event will include a bake sale during the high school lunch period as well as at the High School Spring Concert.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research founded by Gretchen and Larry Witt. When their son Liam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2007, they were shocked to learn cancer is the number one killer of children in the United States, primarily due to a lack of funding for research to develop more effective, less toxic treatments for pediatric cancers. After Liam’s diagnosis, Gretchen decided to try to raise funds by baking. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, thousands of cookies were made and more that $400,000 raised nationally. Word then spread and people from across the country began to host similar events.

Oxford Academy’s Honor Society Advisor Jane Ford said the students help out with many events and volunteer throughout the community, but this is volunteer work on a national scale.

Cancer kills more children than any other disease, with 46 children diagnosed daily. One in five will not survive. Those who do often develop long-term effects including mental and physical disabilities and secondary cancers. Less than three precent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is dedicated to pediatric cancer.