Baking to Beat Cancer, LLC

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Baking to Beat Cancer, LLC

Licensed home bakery, created to help the sarcoma and pediatric cancer communities.

03/02/2026

The Jasper Farmers Market starts in just a couple weeks (March 28, from 7:30 to noon), and while I’m not going to be able to set up on Opening Day, I’m determined to have a more frequent presence this year. Granted, I believe I did only one market last year, so the bar is pretty low…😉

In the meantime, I wanted to take a moment to clarify a misunderstanding I’ve seen recently. A few days ago, in a local group, I accidentally stumbled upon a post about Baking to Beat Cancer’s appearance at Riverfest. And while I was thrilled to see folks rave about my products, specifically my chocolate chip cookie, a blatant misconception glared harshly at me. It felt weird replying to a post made in September, so I decided to use my own page, to address it.

I can’t possibly say this loudly enough: my own health status has absolutely NOTHING to do with Baking to Beat Cancer!!! Contrary to what I saw in the post, my medical history plays no role whatsoever in what it is I do. I thought I had done an excellent job of maintaining clarity to why it is I do what I do, but I have apparently failed somewhere along the way, for the individual(s) to have missed my mom’s role.

𝑩𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒎 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒅.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer called angiosarcoma. At a stage 3, it was very much a death sentence. Because of its rarity, there wasn’t enough research for any sort of promising treatment, so she willingly became a guinea pig. She suffered immensely from the side effects but endured them all, because she knew someone would eventually follow in her footsteps, and she wanted to provide doctors a chance to learn from her case.

It was this courage and selflessness that inspired me to continue her mission of bringing awareness and research funding to the sarcoma community. So in 2018, four years after she died, I joined the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s “Race to Cure Sarcoma” 5k and named my team “Susan’s Legacy”. Baking to Beat Cancer would be created two years later, in 2020, from a desire to maximize donations to my race team. And even though I’ve since parted ways with the Sarcoma Foundation and expanded my mission to include pediatric cancers due to their overlap, I donate all of my profits to various nonprofits and/or individuals who are part of the sarcoma and/or pediatric cancer communities.

So everything I do is because my mom died from a rare form of a rare cancer. She devoted her final years not to peace and comfort, and not to crossing off items from her bucket list, but to pain and suffering, in the hopes her medical team could use her experiences to help the next angiosarcoma patient to walk through the doors of Emory Winship Cancer Institute.

Baking to Beat Cancer is my way of carrying on her legacy of selflessness. It’s got nothing to do with my own history, or my own battles. It’s all about her.

I hope this clarifies the misconceptions I saw in that post. If anyone has any questions, please do ask. I would much rather be asked a ton of questions than see the rumor mill spewing out false information!

And on that note, I hope you all go out on March 28, to support the vendors at the farmers market! But save some room for giant cookies, as I’m hoping to start the following week. 💛 I’ll see y’all soon!!! 🎗️

* * *

Picture of my Mom, because she’s my inspiration and forever my hero…and of Robert, to lighten the mood, and because every business needs a mascot! (He’s become quite a celebrity, since his last market appearance, mind you! 😉)

12/31/2025

This is beautiful! What an incredible—and emotional—surprise, to wrap up 2025!

Moments ago, I retrieved a package from my front porch, from a company called Proper Candles , a company proudly touting their all-natural, organic ingredients. Confused as to its origin, I opened the box and immediately, my breath was taken away.

There, carefully wrapped and surrounded by gold colored packing material, was a beautiful candle with the Mighty Millie Foundation logo. 🥹

Alongside of it was a card thanking me for my contributions to their mission and signed by founders Nick and Claire Mracek. 💛

But it wasn’t just a candle; it was a whole epiphany.

Last month, a newspaper article was published about Baking to Beat Cancer’s origin and mission. It also included a vague mentioning of a topic I’ve been reluctant to share publicly, though it explains why my absences from the Jasper farmers market have become more common. I’ve been battling some unique health issues of my own these last several years, and rapid disease progression has made it increasingly more difficult for me to endure the physical labor involved in the setup and breakdown of events. The sweltering summer temperatures have also been impossible for me to handle, and while some of you have seen me don a cooling vest, even that isn’t always enough to keep me from a potentially serious medical emergency.

The emotional toll of a mind that wants to constantly be out there slinging cookies, when the body says “absolutely not”, has been brutal in itself, and I often feel like I’m letting down everyone I’m meant to help.

So to close out the year with a gift such as this is exactly what my heart needed, in perfect timing.

It isn’t just a candle; it’s a reminder that even when I feel my best isn’t “good enough”, my contributions, no matter how small my mind makes them out to be, are still embraced and deeply appreciated by those whose opinions I value most. It’s a tangible reminder that my own battle may be slowing me down, but someone out there still believes in me and is still appreciative of whatever I am able to offer. They see what I still bring to the table, as opposed to all the things I can no longer do.

It’s not just a candle. It gives me the drive I need, to enter into the new year tomorrow with a reignited flame (pun intended) for what it is I do, a renewed drive to push forward.

It’s not just a candle; it’s a symbol reminding me that Baking to Beat Cancer is bigger than any personal diagnosis, and most importantly, that my worth isn’t measured in how much I can do for others, but rather, by the fact I’m still out here doing it, despite my own battles. Every contribution I make, no matter how miniscule, is still more than “nothing”.

Tomorrow, we start a new year. And while I’ve never been one to believe hanging a new calendar on the wall is going to magically change circumstances for the better, it’s a great way to compartmentalize and readjust goals. And I’m going into it full force, ready to take on the world…an attitude I certainly didn’t have until I opened this box. Because it’s not just a candle.

Thank you, Nick and Claire. What may have seemed a small gesture of appreciation in your own eyes has made a monumental impact on my mental health. It has been my absolute honor, to be a part of your mission these last several years. And I know that whatever I am able to offer will be sincerely appreciated.

I look forward to walking alongside both of you, as we conquer 2026 as a legendary breakthrough year in The Popsicle Project.

Because it’s not just a candle. It’s many things. It’s hope, appreciation, determination, drive…but an ordinary candle? Absolutely not. 🎗️💛🌻

12/15/2025

If you missed the chance to read the full article, here it is! I included the text in the comments, if you’re having trouble reading from the images. Thank you so much to Cara Harrison and the rest of the team at the Pickens Progress, for featuring me!

11/25/2025

When I said this morning that something “big” is happening with Baking to Beat Cancer in just two days, I guess I meant two hours. 😂 To my surprise, it was released early, due to the holiday, I suppose.

So for those of you who are local, be sure to pick up the latest edition of the Pickens Progress! There’s a little splash of YELLOW on the front page. 😉

On what would have been my mom’s 71st birthday, I sat down for an interview, where I explained the origins of Baking to Beat Cancer and what direction I’d like to take it.

The issue is out now, so be sure to grab a copy! 💛

(Special thanks to Cara Harrison, for taking the time so sit and chat with me and making this article happen!)

11/25/2025

Something BIG is happening with Baking to Beat Cancer in just two days, but more on that when the time comes. For now, I just want to share this, as it’s heavy on my mind and heart right now.

I’ve spoken in the past about my mom’s love for gospel group Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Attending their concerts gave her something to strive for during her final years, an escape from the realities of terminal cancer. And she ALWAYS brought them cookies she baked specifically for the occasion.

The guys of EHSS authentically reciprocated the love she had for them. More than ten years after her passing, they still remember her with great fondness and speak of her humor and the power her presence brought into each room she entered.

Last year, I continued her tradition and went to an EHSS show in Snellville, cookies in hand. I was a girl on a mission, wanting to personally thank Ernie for everything he did for my mom all those years ago. That mission was accomplished, but I felt very strongly afterwards that I needed to continue attending any show I could. It wasn’t just about honoring my mom’s memory; I truly admired Ernie and the guys, the concerts were fantastic, and in a strange way, I feel closer to my mom, when I’m at one of their shows.

Just a few days ago, on Sunday, I again got to see them in concert. And just as I did last year, I had cookies in hand. But I didn’t bring just the assortment of my 6 ounce jumbo cookies; I also decided to do sugar cookies.

It truly was an honor for me to get to make and present those cookies to them. They were so appreciative, marveling with excitement over seeing their logo airbrushed onto the smooth buttercream frosting. Their reactions were so passionate and genuine, I couldn’t help but to wonder what Mom would think/say/do, if she had been part of that and saw the cookies herself.

EHSS will be coming to Woodstock in April, and I fully intend on maintaining that tradition of going to see their shows, sitting front and center, and presenting cookies to them. The last song of the show is always a beautiful one called “Oh What a Savior”, and I cry every time. Because it’s at that moment, as the show ends, I always start to think, “Mom should be here, not me. It shouldn’t be me and my friends; it should be her and her sisters.” And the metaphorical floodgates open.

However, since she can’t be there, I will continue to do so, for as long as I can. And I will always do my best to sit front and center…and I will ALWAYS bring them cookies. ALWAYS.

But having impressed them so much with the logos this time, I have until April, to figure out how to up my game. 🤔 😂

11/03/2025

Riverfest 2022 vs 2025

Suffice it to say I’ve grown a little. 😉💛

My deepest gratitude to those who have supported me these last several years and made it possible! 🎗️

10/25/2025

Unfortunately, I have had to cancel my plans to set up at ZombieFest today.

I have already made a significant amount of product and will be following up in the coming days with a sales post.

I hope the team at Prestige Medical and the vendors in attendance have a wonderful event, and hopefully I’ll be back next year.

10/03/2025

I’m formally in “Riverfest Recovery” but wanted to thank everyone who came out in support of me last weekend!

The work is brutal, and it seems each year brings forth more new challenges. I’m frequently asked the question, “Why do you to this to yourself?”

And I always reply, “Ask me again when I’m there, and I’ll be reminded of the answer.”

This year was no exception, and my INCREDIBLE team with me was able to see firsthand why I endure the brutality of the labor.

It’s the people. It’s the connections.

It’s the excitement I see as a Greenshirt happily snags the last lemon square and practically skips away in excitement.

It’s the regulars that stop by and, with a smile, say, “I look forward to seeing you every year!”

It’s seeing kids like Brynlee, who just rang the bell.

It’s seeing kids like Noa Strong, who are in the midst of their battles.

It’s taping up another ribbon onto my banner, for the Mighty Millie Foundation.

It’s the connections to the sarcoma world I always seem to find, despite the rarity of that form of cancer, in people like Sharon.

It’s getting to share my momma’s story.

It’s getting to meet vendors like Holly, whose kindness and generosity will be things I carry with me for the remainder of my days.

It’s seeing so many people in my life make an effort to show me they believe in me and what I’m doing…and in the case of this year, hearing words I’ve desperately yearned for, since the day I created Baking to Beat Cancer, from those who personally knew my momma so well: “Your mom is looking down right now, beaming with pride! She’s SO proud of you!” Because behind the desire to help the sarcoma and pediatric cancer communities, a huge part of me has spent these years wishing for those exact validating words, to hear reassurance that the path I’ve forged for myself is one that the person I loved most in the world would be proud of. 🥲

I work for two months, to prepare all of the cookie dough. I spend a week doing the baking, packaging, and labeling. I spend hours setting up in the brutally hot temperatures.

And for two days, I get to proudly reap the rewards, before enduring the labor of breakdown again.

But those two days are always what makes it worth it.

As some of my regulars heard, I’m hoping to do one more year at Riverfest, before I “retire” from festivals. I don’t want this one to be my last, though part of me fears it was. I still want to endure one more year of the struggles and hardships, so I can experience one more year of the rewards. I want to offer a proper goodbye, to those who have been so supportive the last several years. I want to see little Noa and hear that she rang the bell. I want to offer a formal goodbye to the festival that has been so amazing to me for five years, at that point, and the Greenshirts who have made it as great as it is.

Because unfortunately, while the work has always been worth it, it’s also getting to the point of physical impossibility. Riverfest is a huge physical undertaking, and this body of mine can’t keep being pushed to those limits. Each year is harder than the last, and it’s taking me longer to bounce back. So maybe I should finally listen to the doctors and friends who tell me it’s OK to slow down. 🤷‍♀️

But we’ll deal with that, when the deadline approaches for next year’s application.

For now, my heart is so full. Thank you so, so much for all the love and support you’ve all shown me. 💛

I’ll be dropping my donation to the Mighty Millie Foundation, as soon as I can get to the bank! If you’d still like to make a last minute contribution, here’s the link. 🎗️

https://givebutter.com/businesses-shine-gold/bakingtobeatcancer2

Also, special thanks to all the Greenshirts, who are always super kind and supportive. But of course extra love to Emili, Kristen, Leslie, and especially Jaimie. ESPECIALLY Jaimie, for taking the tragedy of last year’s stressful cancellation and turning it around into a truly epic comeback, where the event was actually revamped in such an incredible manner that blew my mind! (Seriously, though, I’m convinced there’s nothing you can’t do, so please reduce the heat of the sun, in the future 😉)

The music has been playing me off stage for 20 minutes now, so time to close out my “thank you” speech, before Security escorts me away…

💛🎗️💛🎗️💛🎗️💛🎗️

(Friendly reminder: I also have an online store, so you don’t technically need to wait for my decision on next year’s event, to score some treats! I do delivery and shipping year round. Just please give me a little grace right now 🤣 https://bakingtobeatcancer.square.site/ )

09/28/2025

Have you tried my Girl Scout Cookie themed Muddy Buddies?

Riverfest Greenshirt Emili is certainly a fan! She’s made no secret of her anticipation for this year’s festival, when she knows she can freely indulge her ongoing craving for “Slim Mints”.

Come see us today, between 10 AM and 5 PM, and see why I can’t keep her favorite of my 3 flavors in stock. We will be offering samples, but you may have to fight her for them! 😂

We had a great day yesterday and are gearing up for another. Hopefully my team and I will see you out there! (Booths 193 & 194, the two dual yellow tents 💛)

09/27/2025

I feel my beloved Greenshirts at Riverfest knew what they were doing, when they put me right in front of the medical tent. (If you know me…🤦‍♀️) But I’m not sure what message they were trying to send by putting the portable toilets right behind me. 🤔 Are you implying something? Hmmmm?

In all seriousness, now y’all all know where to find me! 😁 I’m right off the sidewalk, tucked away in the back, where the troublemakers belong. 😇

So come see me this weekend, at booths 193 & 194…but also be sure to go see my buddy Jeremiah over at Drysdale Dragons at #125. (Spoiler: I’ll be debuting a new fundraiser for pediatric cancer nonprofit Mighty Millie Foundation, where fans of Drysdale will find some of their favorite “tiny” friends. 💛 Thank you, Jeremiah, for your kindness and generosity!!)

Oh—and if I look a little worse for the wear, I’ve given up attempting to sleep tonight. And pretty much most of this week. If I drop, just roll me with your foot over to the medical tent. 😝

09/26/2025

All set up and ignoring the ominous clouds ahead 😬

Riverfest

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https://www.bakingtobeatcancer.com/, https://bakingtobeatcancer.square.site/

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Origins

The concept of "Baking to Beat Cancer" was born from a desire to help the sarcoma community through my love of baking. I received my ServSafe certification in April 2020 and am currently in the process of obtaining my cottage food license through the State Department of Agriculture, as well as my local business license. Until those are completed, you can find me around the Pickens County area occasionally handing out samples in an attempt to build a customer base, or at the Jasper Farmers’ Market each Saturday from November 7 through December 12. Although I will need to set aside the first $500 I make for the fees associated with starting a business, 100% of my profits beyond that point will go directly to THE SARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA for nationwide research and patient advocacy.

Because I believe in transparency, I may sometimes opt to donate to causes that are local and close to my heart. Should that occur, I will always make it clear where the funds are going.

If you should happen to see me out and about with cookies or cupcakes, please introduce yourself! Even though I’m only allowed to sell at events like Farmers’ Markets until I obtain my license, I certainly take advantage of the legality of offering free samples. Should any recipient make the completely voluntary choice to make a donation, however, I of course greatly appreciate it! However, there is absolutely no obligation to do so, and I’m just happy to be getting to know people and obtaining feedback so that I may improve through this journey.

For more information, including my GoFundMe link and contact info, please send me a message or visit my website at www.bakingtobeatcancer.com.

Baking to Beat Cancer, LLC

03/02/2026

12/31/2025

12/15/2025

11/25/2025

11/25/2025

11/03/2025

10/25/2025

10/03/2025

09/28/2025

09/27/2025

09/26/2025

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