MASSAC COUNTY, IL—18-year-old Katherine Harris is selling homemade baked goods to help her dog, Boosie, fight cancer.
6-Year-old Boosie was recently diagnosed with small cell tumor cancer. His treatment will cost roughly $2,500, which is a $500 surgery and $2,000 in shots made specifically to target his kind of cancer.
Boosie's surgery is scheduled for March 10, and Harris said his diagnosis is difficult for the whole family.
“It's kind of crazy. Since I'm only in high school, I'm a high school senior at Massac County High and work for a small boutique. And recently, my dad's wife and stepdaughter got in a really bad car accident. So, that was really hard, you know, because we got hospital bills, and now our dog has cancer, and we just, it was, it was, it was pretty rough for all of us,” said Harris.
To help cover the cost of Boosie's treatment, Harris has begun making homemade treats such as cookies and pretzels. As of Saturday night, she'd raised just over $300.
“My family at first were like, well, maybe we should start like a GoFundMe page. And I decided I like to work for what I get. I've always been pretty much a hard worker,” said Harris.
Harris said she has seen a lot of support from the community on social media so far.
“The first week, it turned out amazing. I did not expect so many people to reach out to me, just to just over, because I was like, ‘Oh, it's not gonna it's not gonna turn out.' And then it did. And then I was up till two in the morning making 180 cookies,” said Harris.
The Massac County High School student was recently accepted to Murray State University, where she plans to work in Veterinary medicine. She has wanted to be a vet since she was young, and this experience with Boosie's disease has given her a new level of empathy for others with sick pets.
“We've had some people at the vet's office come in while I was shadowing, and their dog has the same thing. And then you watch, they're just their facial expression, just like we… try everything in our power. Truly, dogs are a blessing. We don't deserve them, but they're here, and he's the best thing, really,” said Harris.
Harris said Boosie is not just a pet but a member of their family.
“Giving him the chance to keep going would mean the world to me, my grandparents, and everybody else. My little sisters are seven, and they are so, so upset that Boosie has cancer, and it would, it would mean the world to all of us if anyone would help,” said Harris.
Harris is selling red velvet cookies, sugar cookies with royal icing, chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate-covered pretzels this week.
A single cookie costs $2, a half dozen is $12, and a full dozen is $20. One 4-by-4-inch bag of chocolate-covered pretzels costs $2.
Harris will also make other kinds of cookies in addition to those options, but customers must order two dozen or more.
Harris typically meets customers in Metropolis. She accepts Venmo and Cash App payments. The best way to contact Harris about purchasing baked goods is through her Facebook messenger, which can be accessed by clicking here.
