Kalee Weatherwax, a mother from Maine, has found a unique way to support her son's ongoing medical treatment by establishing a charming pink bakery stand in her front yard. Her son, Alec, 7, was diagnosed with Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE), an extremely rare and aggressive tumor that affects blood vessels. The condition has required Alec to take oral chemotherapy medication daily since infancy, leading to a weakened immune system and frequent absences from school.
The cost of Alec's medication, which is $2,000 per box, presented a significant financial challenge for the family. Weatherwax, who previously worked outside the home, faced the decision of returning to work or dedicating her time to caring for Alec. Drawing on her passion for baking, she decided to launch a home-based business, inspired by frequent requests from friends to purchase her baked goods.
For years, Weatherwax and her three sons have operated the weekend bakery, selling a variety of treats to their community. She regularly updates her over 12,000 online followers with details about the weekly menu, which has included items such as sourdough bread, muffins, cookies, and coffee cake. Last weekend, while the stand was closed for Halloween, Weatherwax provided free self-serve coffee and juice for trick-or-treaters.
Weatherwax expressed gratitude for the experiences she gets to have with her child and her desire to reclaim time. She told the Kennebec Journal, "But to me, I’m just like: how could I steal that time back? And that’s kind of why I wanted to start a home business."
The front-yard bakery has not only helped the family afford Alec's treatment but has also provided him with an opportunity to engage with the community despite his compromised immune system. Weatherwax is hopeful that an upcoming ultrasound will show positive results, potentially allowing Alec to reduce his treatment dosage. She shared on Facebook, "Thank you all so much for an amazing season and we'll be back to baking next week with a few holiday additions."