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Hello! My name is Michelle Nigro and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to start volunteering with Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. I’m 23 years old from the Boston area and I am passionate about breast cancer awareness and fundraising.

Throughout my entire life I’ve tried to do my part to spread awareness and fundraise for a cure. Growing up I would hold bake sales at school and sign up my sports teams for Breast Cancer fundraising walks in Boston.

When I entered college I started organizing my own fundraising and awareness events. As the philanthropy chair of my sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, at Emerson College, I held breast cancer awareness events on campus. I’ve also been able to hold fundraisers across Boston venues to raise money for the Young Survival Coalition.

While cheering for the Patriots from 2010 – 2012, I was able to spread awareness both on and off the field during the NFL’s breast cancer awareness campaigns. And while freelancing for my local paper I wrote stories during breast cancer awareness month.

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My passion stems from a strong family history with the disease. Both my grandmother and aunt are survivors. This past December I lost my Aunt Helene to breast cancer. At 39 years old, she was fighting her second battle with the disease when it metastasized.

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(Baking with my little cousin – my Aunt Helene’s daughter)

I met Carol from Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer a few weeks ago. I immediately was interested in getting involved in the organization. I love how the nonprofit believes everyone can do their part to raise money to find a cure. By buying a pastry, holding your own bake sale, or participating as a vendor, anyone can make a difference. I’ve always felt that any amount of fundraising can help. I considered the fundraisers I held a success not simply on the amount of money I raised, but also on the awareness spread.

This nonprofit also sparked my interest because of my own love for baking! Baking has always been a hobby of mine, and often a stress reliever. I’ve found myself whipping up a batch of cookies at 10pm sometimes. Around Christmas I make hundreds of cookies and all of my friends and family receive them as a gift.

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(Cookies in the freezer until the holidays!)

I’ll be helping Boston Bakes in any way I can, including assisting in redoing their website and outreach as they prepare for the 15th Annual Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer week, May 5-11, 2014.

I am also excited to announce that Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising with Boston Bakes will be my platform in the Miss Boston 2014 pageant.

Miss Boston is Massachusetts’ largest preliminary for Miss America and each year the young lady crowned as Miss Boston earns a spot to compete for the title of Miss Massachusetts.

The Miss Boston Scholarship Organization is a program dedicated to providing young women with scholarships, public speaking opportunities, and the ability to support their own personal platform as well as Miss America’s official platform, the Children’s Miracle Network.

It would be my dream to advocate for Boston Bakes week 2014 as Miss Boston 2014!

I’ll be writing about my work with the nonprofit leading up to the pageant. I’m also planning to use my cookie baking for bake sales throughout the upcoming holiday season – check back for recipes for my most beloved cookies!

-Michelle

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