Pies Against Cancer, Seattle edition

Greetings to all of you who landed on this page looking for details about the upcoming Pies Against Cancer event that is taking place in Seattle on September 23. You have reached the event page for that pie-tastic event's predecessor/inspiration. 

Here's the link you're looking for: https://piesagainstcancerseattle.org/

Given that my friend Maggie is organizing the event, it's a much more professional-looking site, and it also has the benefit of including the information you are seeking. 

I hope you all enjoy your (west coast) pies, and I will be looking forward to updates back here in New York. Give generously, and save room for another slice.

Yours in pie,

Christopher Stephens

Pies Against Cancer 2020: Postponed Indefinitely

As is obvious by now, Pies Against Cancer 2020 is yet another victim of the pandemic. I have no idea when it will be rescheduled. In the meantime, if you sponsored a pie and would like to collect, just reach out to me and I'll get to baking.

Pies Against Cancer 2020 FAQ

When is the party?

Sunday March 22, from 2pm to 5pm. This is just a week or so after March 14, a/k/a Pi Day. This is not a coincidence.

Where is the party?
400 East 85th Street, Apartment 9D. This is on the southeast corner of 85th Street and First Avenue.

This is a fundraiser?
Yes. Once again I am raising money for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, one of the nation's leading cancer hospitals.

How do I donate?
Simply click on this link which takes you to my fundraising page. Your donation goes directly to MS-KCC, which will send you a receipt right away, avoiding any awkward exchange of money with me, waiting for checks, etc. They're a 501(c)(3), so your donation is fully tax-deductible. And while, in many other respects, cash is king, it makes getting you the tax deduction much more complicated. Checks? Yep, they’re fine, too, but donating through the website makes things easier for everyone involved. If you have qualms about getting unwanted solicitations if you give this (or any other) charity your personal information, I hear you. I believe there is a box you can check to opt out of such solicitations. 

Did you say my donation is fully tax-deductible?
Yes, because you receive nothing of material value in exchange. Apparently, the IRS doesn't consider my pies to be of any material value [shakes head in disbelief].

So how much should I give?
As much as you feel comfortable giving.

That's really vague, Christopher.
I am suggesting that you each give $10. I'm suggesting this the way the Metropolitan Museum of Art used to suggest that you give $20 for admission. Not strictly speaking a barrier to entry, but a nice gesture.

For your pies (and to fight cancer) I would gladly give more! Should I donate more than $10?
You are too kind! In that case, I would suggest that you sponsor a pie.

How much does it cost to sponsor a pie?
After consulting with my inner math geek, I decided on $31.42. Which is approximately ten times pi. Geddit?

What do I get for sponsoring a pie?
Pay attention, as this is different from previous years, when I put your name on the pie and you got to take home the leftovers. At my Mom’s suggestion, I’m offering you the option of having me bake you a pie all for yourself, at a time and place we can arrange before or after the party. I'll still put your name in bold on the program (note to self: make programs for this party). Of course, you can still just sponsor a pie at the party and take home leftovers. Either way, you get to eat pie. And you may thank my Mom in person. If you live outside New York, we might be able to find a time to hand off a pie, but if it involves flying, this is probably not a good idea. Also not a good idea: sending pies through the mail.

Can I pick which pie to sponsor?
Sure! Why not? And because of the option of getting your pie later, more than one person can sponsor the same kind of pie. No fighting as to who gets to sponsor my pecan pie (this has been a problem in the past). And if you're not sure what kind of pie you might want to sponsor - and who can blame you? There are so many! - you can scroll through the blog and see what pies I've baked in the past.

So, tell me more about Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Gladly. Here's some language they provided:

As one of the nation’s premier cancer centers, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is committed to exceptional patient care, leading-edge research, and superb educational programs. The close collaboration between its physicians and scientists is one of the Center’s unique strengths. Such collaborations enable MSKCC to provide patients with the best care available today as they work to discover more effective strategies to prevent, control, and ultimately cure cancer in the future.

On a personal note, I'd also add that Sloan-Kettering is where my Mom's colon cancer was treated so successfully. Thanks, Sloan-Kettering!

Finally, are you sure that pies would be against cancer, if only they had the power of speech?
I most certainly am.

Pies Against Cancer 2019: wrap up

Thanks to the generosity of over 38 donors, we raised a record $2,875 for MSKCC last year. We all deserve a pat on the back. And some pie.

On the pie front, the clear stand out was the Honey Sea Salt Pie, which went very, very quickly. It was this year's surprise standout, with a performance resembling previous years' winners such as North Carolina Lemon Pie, Aztec Chocolate Pie, and the ever popular Buttermilk Pie.

But you really came for the pie pictures, right? I won't disappoint you:

Pies Against Cancer 2019: FAQ

What happened to Pies Against Cancer 2018?

It kept getting postponed because of boring scheduling reasons. Your invitation didn't get lost in the mail; the party just didn't happen. Sorry! So let's make up for lost time.

When is the party?

Sunday March 10, from 2pm to 5pm. This is just a few days before March 14, a/k/a Pi Day. This is not a coincidence.This is also the day that Daylight Savings starts. Adjust your clocks with thoughts of pie.

Where is the party?
400 East 85th Street, Apartment 9D. This is on the southeast corner of 85th Street and First Avenue.

This is a fundraiser?
Yes. Once again I am raising money for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, one of the nation's leading cancer hospitals.

How do I donate?
Simply click on this link which takes you to my fundraising page. Your donation goes directly to MS-KCC, which will send you a receipt right away, avoiding any awkward exchange of money with me, waiting for checks, etc. They're a 501(c)(3), so your donation is fully tax-deductible. And while, in many other respects, cash is king, it makes getting you the tax deduction much more complicated. Checks? Yep, they’re fine, too, but donating through the website makes things easier for everyone involved. If you have qualms about getting unwanted solicitations if you give this (or any other) charity your personal information, I hear you. I believe there is a box you can check to opt out of such solicitations. 

Did you say my donation is fully tax-deductible?
Yes, because you receive nothing of material value in exchange. Apparently, the IRS doesn't consider my pies to be of any material value [shakes head in disbelief].

So how much should I give?
As much as you feel comfortable giving.

That's really vague, Christopher.
I am suggesting that you each give $10. I'm suggesting this the way the Metropolitan Museum of Art used to suggest that you give $20 for admission. Not strictly speaking a barrier to entry, but a nice gesture.

For your pies (and to fight cancer) I would gladly give more! Should I donate more than $10?
You are too kind! In that case, I would suggest that you sponsor a pie.

How much does it cost to sponsor a pie?
After consulting with my inner math geek, I decided on $31.42. Which is approximately ten times pi. Geddit?

What do I get for sponsoring a pie?
Pay attention, as this is different from previous years, when I put your name on the pie and you got to take home the leftovers. At my Mom’s suggestion, I’m offering you the option of having me bake you a pie all for yourself, at a time and place we can arrange before or after the party. I'll still put your name in bold on the program (note to self: make programs for this party). Of course, you can still just sponsor a pie at the party and take home leftovers. Either way, you get to eat pie. And you may thank my Mom in person. If you live outside New York, we might be able to find a time to hand off a pie, but if it involves flying, this is probably not a good idea. Also not a good idea: sending pies through the mail.

Can I pick which pie to sponsor?
Sure! Why not? And because of the option of getting your pie later, more than one person can sponsor the same kind of pie. No fighting as to who gets to sponsor my pecan pie (this has been a problem in the past). And if you're not sure what kind of pie you might want to sponsor - and who can blame you? There are so many! - you can scroll through the blog and see what pies I've baked in the past.

So, tell me more about Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Gladly. Here's some language they provided:

As one of the nation’s premier cancer centers, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is committed to exceptional patient care, leading-edge research, and superb educational programs. The close collaboration between its physicians and scientists is one of the Center’s unique strengths. Such collaborations enable MSKCC to provide patients with the best care available today as they work to discover more effective strategies to prevent, control, and ultimately cure cancer in the future.

On a personal note, I'd also add that Sloan-Kettering is where my Mom's colon cancer was treated so successfully. Thanks, Sloan-Kettering!

Finally, are you sure that pies would be against cancer, if only they had the power of speech?
I most certainly am.

Pies Against Cancer 2017 Recap

It has been a long time since I checked in here, and there's really no pie-related excuse I can offer. I was going to update this page when I announced the date for Pies Against Cancer 2018, but that never happened, mostly because of boring scheduling reasons. So, no, your invitation didn't get lost in the mail. Before I roll out Pies Against Cancer 2019, let's recap what happened in 2017.

There were twenty two generous donors who raised over $1,300 for MSKCC. Twenty of you came and sampled a dozen pies. And that's really what you're here for, so without any further delay, pictures of pies:

The big reveal

Mom points to the pie she baked (key lime).

Pecan

Apple

Aztec Chocolate

North Carolina Lemon (that's the one with the saltine crust)

Treacle Tart

Razzle Dazzle

Key Lime

Buttermilk

Chocolate Oatmeal

Cranberry Walnut

There was plenty of prosecco

And I reveal my secret identity

Why We Give

The nice folks at the Why We Give blog did a friendly write up about Pies Against Cancer. You can read it here:

http://www.whywegive.co/christopher-stephens/