Cookies For A Cause: Baked Goods Help Raise Money For Kids' Cancer Research

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- When you think of pastry chefs, chances are you think of pies and cookies rather than cancer. But one organization has more than a dozen chefs baking cookies for a great cause.

It all started with a brave little boy, 96,000 cookies and an unfair diagnosis.

"My son Liam was just  2 1/2-years-old when he was diagnosed with cancer," said Gretchen Witt.

Facing the fight of their lives, Witt and her husband committed to do all they could to help, starting with research.

They were shocked to discover childhood cancer is the leading cause of death past infancy among children in the United States and underfunding is to blame for the lack of treatments available.

"It receives less than three pennies of every dollar that's dedicated to cancer research," Witt said. "Less than three pennies!"

With the help of Liam, who wanted to be a chef, the Witts hosted a bake sale to raise money. The initial sale brought in $400,000 for research.

Ecstatic with its success, they created the non-profit organization Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

Unfortunately, at the age of 6, Liam's courageous four-year-long fight came to an end. But his story still inspires people nationwide, including Chef Sarah Sanneh.

"We're not doctors or nurses, we're not on the front lines but to be able to be involved is really special for us," she said.

Fifteen renown pastry chefs will gather and bake treats, in Liam's memory, for a Family Fun Day fundraiser on Dec. 5.

"It's literally a cookie palooza, where you walk in and there is a wonderland of things to do," said Sanneh.

These fundraisers have helped fund the development of nine treatments, but Witt says she won't slow down -- driven by only one thought.

"When I see him [Liam] again, I know that the very first question he's going to ask is, 'mommy, did you make it better for others?' Because that would be his expectation," she said.

The Family Fun Day is being held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Metropolitan Pavilion at 123 West 18th Street. There will be cookie decorating stations, a cupcake bar and even  live music.

It's $75 for children and $125 for adults.

For more information or tickets, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.