Every March, Dani’s Kitchen Shop turns blue.

Not for a marketing campaign — but for a friend. For a fight. For awareness.

In this deeply personal episode, Dani sits down with her college friend Maddee to share the story behind their fourth annual Colon Cancer Awareness Cookie Campaign.

In 2023, at just 35 years old, Maddee was diagnosed with colon cancer after months of subtle symptoms she nearly dismissed. What followed was surgery, recovery, genetic testing, and a commitment to advocacy.

What began as a last-minute cookie fundraiser selling 125 dozen in 24 hours has grown into an annual campaign that has raised nearly $11,000 for colon cancer research.

This year’s goal:
• Sell 100 standard sets + 25 gluten-free sets
• Donate $30 from every purchase directly to colon cancer research
• Raise at least $3,000
• Surpass $11,000 total donated

💙 Purchase a Colon Cancer Awareness Cookie Set

Cookies are available March 1–8, 2026 only.

👉 Purchase here:
https://www.daniskitchenshop.com/shop

$30 from every set goes directly to colon cancer research.

Limited quantities available:
• 100 standard sets
• 25 gluten-free sets

When they’re gone — they’re gone.

💙 Want to Donate or Learn More Directly?

If you’d prefer to donate or learn more about colon cancer, screening, symptoms, or research:

👉 Visit:
https://colorectalcancer.org/

This organization supports research, education, and advocacy nationwide.

🎙 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Maddee’s diagnosis at age 35
• Subtle symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored
• Why colon cancer is rising in younger adults
• National screening guidelines (age 45)
• Lynch Syndrome and genetic risk
• The importance of baseline annual checkups
• Why humor (yes, even toilet paper cookies) helps us talk about hard things
• How small businesses can create meaningful impact

💙 Key Takeaways

• Colon cancer is now one of the leading causes of cancer death under age 50.
• Early detection makes it highly treatable.
• Symptoms can be subtle: fatigue, anemia, bowel changes, unexplained weight shifts.
• Screening saves lives.
• Conversations save lives.

📣 Call to Action

• Wear blue in March.
• Talk about colon health.
• Schedule your screening if you’re 45+.
• Learn your family history if you’re under 45.
• Purchase a cookie set or share the campaign.

This campaign isn’t about cookies.

It’s about showing up.
It’s about awareness.
It’s about funding research.
It’s about friendship.
It’s about radiating hope in the middle of hard. 💙