Bake-Sale Dream: Curing Cancer to Save Dad, One Donut at a Time

Sent in by Ria Ciscone with Little League Baseball:

In times of strife, it can take the honesty of a child’s perspective to remind adults that anything can be accomplished with honest effort and commitment. James McDonald, 11, plays in North Mission Viejo Little League. His father, Guy, was diagnosed late in 2009 with a Stage 3 brain tumor, which inspired James to raise awareness and funds in the name of cancer research.  

"Brain cancer has been hard on my dad," James said. "So I thought, 'What about all those other people out there that have cancer?' I wanted to do something to help stop cancer and find a cure."

James researched the American Brain Tumor Association, and decided to help by hosting a bake sale last year at his league’s field complex and donating the proceeds.

The goal was to sell baked goods—cupcakes, cookies, donuts and the like—during games in order to raise $300 to donate to the ABTA. As with most families dealing with cancer, Guy McDonald’s diagnosis has been difficult on his wife, Deirdre, James, and his three sisters, Clarissa, 22, Caitlyn, 16, and Delaney, 12.

"All of the kids have reacted differently," said Deirdre, who is Guy’s primary caregiver. "Trying to find a way to help out, James came up with the bake sale idea. Anything he can do to help, he is willing to do … he’s that kind of kid."

The bake sale took on a life of its own. James, a pitcher and catcher, ran the booth when he wasn’t playing. When he had a game, his family and other league volunteers stepped up to sell the home-made snacks.

"We had no idea how big it was going to get," Deirdre said. "We didn’t have to ask. The word got out and a lot of people, who didn’t have anything to do with our Little League, started coming down to the bake sale."

"I wanted to get the word out to help the fight against cancer," James said. "My dad was really proud of me and suggested we do it again."

This year, all of Little League’s District 68 will participate by hosting bake sales on Saturday, May 4. District 68 includes:

• Ladera Ranch
• Mission Viejo
• Rancho Mission Viejo
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• San Clemente
• San Juan Capistrano
• Tijeras Creek (Rancho Santa Margarita)
• Trabuco Canyon (Coto de Caza/Wagon Wheel)

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., booths will be set up at Tijeras Creek Baseball Fields and at Canada Vista Baseball Fields in Rancho Santa Margarita, as well as at other participating fields. In addition to baked goods, there will be raffle items including a round of golf for two at Tijeras Creek Golf Club. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.