Cancer. Think about how it’s impacted your life and the lives of those you love. I’d like to think that in my lifetime there will be a cure for ALL cancers. Medical science is making progress, but we’re not there just yet.

Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer, which kicks off today, is a scrumptious way to help this cause and sweeten your day.  It’s a simple concept—a large scale, professional bake sale with 100% of the funds raised going to Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Boston, and I’m proud to say Espresso Dave’s is participating.

Here’s how this event got started:  In 1973, Eva Brownman, 44, died of breast cancer, leaving two young daughters, Marjie and Carol. A fund was established in Brownman’s name in 1991 to benefit breast cancer research and education at the Dana Farber.

In 2000, Carol decided to establish a new kind of cancer fundraiser: a dessert-centric celebration held during the week prior to Mother’s Day. She approached restaurants, bakeries and cafés throughout Boston to donate their profits from one designated dessert to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for a week. Forty-two establishments participated that year.

Now, 12 years later, 270 of the greatest chefs, pastry chefs and culinary artists in Greater Boston are participating in this week’s event representing 90 Massachusetts’ communities. More than $1.4 million has been donated to the Dana Farber since 2000, providing for several cutting-edge clinical trials, visiting professorships, and the establishment of a psychosocial research and support program for patients and their families.

Want to purchase a dessert for the cause? Get yourself over to one of the participating establishments. If you’re not in the Greater Boston area, desserts can be shipped or delivered to you from some of the most amazing bakeries!

And, if you see us at an event this week, we will be collecting funds in support of Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer.  If you would like to support this cause but are watching your waistline, you can donate online.

I’d like to think we can help to fight cancer one dessert at a time, of course accompanied by a wonderful, steaming cappuccino!