STILL BAKING

Every two minutes, someone is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Last year alone, an estimated 297,790 women (and 2,800 men) were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

Though breast cancer remains one of the largest health challenges for women, it has also spawned some of the most creative (and delicious!) means of supporting people in need.

While Susan Komen may be among the best-known breast cancer organizations nationally, MA has its own champion in Carol Sneider, creator of the Bakes for Breast Cancer project which this year is celebrating a quarter-century of support with a sweet series of events that will be hosted in Boston, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

Sneider launched her nonprofit organization in 1999 in memory of her mother who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 43. As her mother had raised her on a steady diet of wonderful baked goods, Sneider decided to use her family recipes and maternal inspiration as the means through which to raise money for research and keep this condition in the public eye (and mouth).

By partnering with an ever-expanding team of bakers and eateries, Sneider has raised over $2 million for breast cancer research while encouraging fellow food-lovers to support their communities in a deliciously different way.

From May through July, the 25th anniversary celebration will waft through New England, the Mid-Atlantic region, and even the Cape and the islands, bringing Sneider’s roster of pastry-producing partners to over 5,000!

To find out which venues in your area will be participating and how to encourage more to do so, visit www.bakesforbreastcancer.org.