No matter how you slice it, $6,000 in five years is a lot of dough. Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Communications Disorders, Special Education and Disability Services Department will offer its sixth annual “Confections for a Cause” on September 21, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of IUP's Davis Hall.
Almost $6,000 has been raised during the last five years of the event, with the event in 2015 raising a record-high $1,400. The event raises funds for ovarian cancer education and research. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.
“Confections for a Cause” features hundreds of baked goods and sweets of all types, from pies to chocolates, all made by members of the university community. Persons may fill a small container for a $5 suggested donation or a large container for an $8 suggested donation. All funds raised go to the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation Inc. based in Havertown.
The event got its start because members of the department, including Shari Robertson and Celia Barber, wanted to honor Vickie Johnson, administrative assistant in the department, who had lost family members to ovarian cancer.
“This is not just a bake sale,” Robertson said. “This is about community, a community that comes out each year not only to support Vickie, but to support this cause. It continues to be successful because people not only care about Vickie and her loss, but about others who will also lose loved ones to this terrible disease.
“Ovarian cancer is under-studied and there are very few events such as this to raise funds,” Robertson said. “We continue to be so grateful that the IUP community cares enough to come together to help support this cause.”
In addition to individual students and faculty, a number of student groups help with the project every year.