Above: Jaelyn Holmes, right, with Hannah Serpa, her inspiration for raising money to improve children’s cancer treatments. 

By Aiza Shaikh

Did you know you could help save a child’s life simply by buying a cookie? That’s the case if you happen to buy a cookie later this month baked by Jaelyn Holmes, a 7th grader at Cole Middle School.

Jaelyn Holmes

Jaelyn is raising money for research into pediatric cancer as this year’s national ambassador for the nonprofit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer (CFKC). September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so Jaelyn is seeking donations and holding a bake sale on Sunday, Sept. 29. All proceeds will go toward CFKC.

This isn’t the first time Jaelyn has baked for a cause. With the help of her friends and family, Jaelyn raised over $2,000 last year. This year, she is hoping to raise at least $3,000. She got interested in helping after the daughter of family friends was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia two years ago. 

Four-year-old Hannah Serpa has already endured more than two years of weekly treatments. As it stands now, she will complete her treatments later next month. 

“You just want to help them out and help them get better,” said Jaelyn about Hannah and other children with cancer and why she decided to get involved with CFKC.

“Together with her school, neighborhood friends, and teammates, they bake, spread the word, and come together for a great cause,” said Jaelyn’s mom, Vanessa Oakes. The best part, Oakes said, it’s kids helping kids.

This year, Jaelyn will be baking her cookies at Taste Buds Kitchen, a new addition to East Greenwich and a supporter of the cause. 

Since 2008, Cookies For Kids’ Cancer has funded 100 childhood research grants and lead to 37 new treatments for pediatric cancer patients. You can help by visiting Jaelyn’s bake sale and buying some cookies Sept. 29. The sale will take place at 4 Canonicus Trail. If you can’t make it but would like to support the cause, you can donate to her page here.

Aiza Shaihk, a junior at East Greenwich High School, writes for EG News.

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