
Cookies for Kids' Cancer, Gretchen Holt Witt and Larry Witt, Founders
2012 Honoree
Charitable Organization
In February 2007, two-and-a-half-year-old Liam was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. A year and a half into Liam’s battle his parents, Gretchen and Larry Witt founded the nonprofit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer to raise funds to support the development of more effective and less toxic treatments for children with cancer.
Gretchen brought passionate urgency to her fundraising vision, and launched Cookies for Kids’ Cancer in a big way. She recruited more than 250 friends and volunteers — including many parents of children with cancer — to join her in creating a larger-than-life bake sale. Gretchen and her partners baked and sold 96,000 cookies within three weeks, raising $400,000 for pediatric cancer research. Liam’s story and the massive response to his parents’ mission galvanized the media. Though Liam tragically lost his battle with cancer in January 2011, the Witts remain committed to raising funds and bringing hope to kids battling cancer.
Woman’s Day, Traditional Home and O, The Oprah Magazine are among the publications promoting Gretchen’s ongoing work with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.
Thousands of people have joined the Witts in their mission. They support the nonprofit by holding bake sales, tag sales, golf tournaments and car washes, as well as by purchasing the cookies that Gretchen says are “as good to eat as they feel to give.”
View the 2013 Honorees
Patricia A. Kent, MS, RN, CPNP
Melissa Skolny, MSHA, Cynthia Miller; Lauren Jammallo; Jean O’Toole, PT, MPH
Farrah Fawcett and the Farrah Fawcett Foundation
Brian N. Napolitano
Barry Lipsett & Charles River Apparel
Bruce A. Chabner, MD
Yovanny Fana
Lisa Gatti Whelan, RN, BSN
James E. Bradner, MD
David J. Kuter, MD, Dphil
Lazarex Foundation
Aaron and Moireen Ruotsala
Corey Jacobson
Mary F. Fay, RN, BSN
Yi-Bin A. Chen, MD
Mary Philopoulos
Jay Loeffler
Pamela Manikas Washek
Shiv Pillai, MD, PhD
The Sue de Vries Cancer Foundation
Big Y
Donna Karan and the Urban Zen Foundation
St. Mary’s High School Baseball Team
Kailie Laflamme, LICSW
Estelle Sugarman
Genetic Counselors
Linda J. Verville Cancer Research Foundation
Rose M. Watson
James C. Cusack Jr., MD
Richard L. Deming, MD
Mass General honors 100 individuals and groups for their diverse contributions to the fight against cancer.
There is strength in numbers and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center proves this each year. the one hundred is the Cancer Center’s annual fundraiser, honoring 100 individuals and groups whose diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer. Funds raised at the gala support research, patient care, education and community outreach programs. Meet the Honorees.
