Grace D'Antuono is a senior in high school, in her home state, Rhode Island. She is the founder of Cupcakes Against Cancer which was launched in her sophomore year of high school. Grace began baking at a young age, helping her mother make cookies for her dad to take to work every week. However, it was not until her freshman year of high school that it became one of her passions. She began baking for nearly every family event and all of her friends' birthdays. Later that year, Grace decided she wanted to do something with this newfound fervor. In June 2012, she stumbled across the website for the American Cancer Society and noticed their motto is "Celebrate more birthdays". Instantly Grace knew it was a perfect match, as she had begun baking so much to celebrate her family and friends' birthdays. She would spend the next nine months working to start a non-profit business - taking a course to become a certified Food Safety Manager, filling out piles of paper work, and contacting the owners of commercial kitchens in order to meet the standards of the Rhode Island Department of Health. In March 2013, Cupcakes Against Cancer became a registered non-profit and Grace was officially in business. She sells cupcakes at various sporting events, fundraisers, farmer's markets. Additionally, Grace fills orders for private parties, such as bridal showers, birthday parties and baby showers. She has partnered with the American Cancer Society, the primary charity that Cupcakes Against Cancer benefits. Grace has also worked with the Payton Elizabeth Watson Foundation and the World Skin Project. Her book "Recipes for Hope" benefits the American Cancer Society as she helps to finish the fight against cancer. After graduating in June 2015, Grace is looking forward to attending college where she will pursue a degree in international relations. Until then, she will be running from her church youth group, to Congressional Youth Cabinet, to track practice, to Youth Advisory Board, to the bakery, to spending time with family and friends, to her next venture, and doing whatever else makes her happy.
