Marina Nikolic

How Cystic Fibrosis and Angie's story have impacted my story and ultimately brought to you Angelic Desserts and the idea of a Cookie for a Breath
My aunt taught me by our oven in Europe, that all-natural baking does not make anyone unhealthy or sick but instead brings health in mind, body & spirit while bringing natural joy from my table to yours.
Angelic Desserts was born about then, but when my daughter was born and diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 6 months, Angelic Desserts began to flourish.
Our little angel spent the next 9 months in the hospital, with me devastated and wanting only for our child to have the joys of a normal life.
During the next three years she was between the hospital and our home where baking was an outlet- I channeled my love for Angela into the natural goodness of the ingredients and my oven while mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted; finally being able to give to the nurses and doctors in thanks and to everyone the spirit of joy through all natural baking like my aunt had shown me after church, along the forest's edge so long ago.
While I poured myself out into my daughter, baking allowed me to flower myself. It's the way my daughter showed and allowed me to love others. “The joy of baking is about making other people happy”
I got a part time job as a cake decorator at Safeway in Chicago but when they saw what I could do, they asked me to manage the bakery for the next 8 years- night shifts so I could be with my angel.
I saw that I could make a difference with my baking and came up with the idea of
“A Cookie for a Breath”
Cystic Fibrosis is a degenerative lung disease that needs a little bit more research and a little bit more knowledge, a couple more people that care and then it will be defeated and go away. Great strides have been made in fighting this thief of a disease with antibiotics, inhalers, nutritional supplements and more. Life expectancy and quality of life have jumped recently thanks to caring people, their research and innovative ideas.
Imagine your breath being taken away- the moment I heard from the doctor that the love of my life will die soon gasping for air was the moment my breath was taken away. Imagine knowing that everything you've ever known to be beautiful in this world- your 18 year old daughter, filled with strength and vigor- will soon have 15 breaths left; 8... now 4... now everything works and is strong and hopeful... but the breath.
We're getting close to defeating this monster while we're winning back those breaths through research, breakthroughs, medicines and loving care.
I would pour out my soul to its last drop to give another effortless breath to Angela or any child with Cystic Fibrosis...
And that's where the idea of “A Cookie for A Breath” came from- money from each healthy cookie baked was going to go to powerful charities like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and research on this horrible disease. Every cookie sold was going to directly contribute to clawing back the breaths from this monster.
And this is where you and I can do what we do and have a bunch of healthy fun and give these children back their life.
Come in and get a cookie and meet us, check out our kitchen- I'll even teach you to bake (yes, throw on an apron and get back here and be a dragon slayer with me!) and leave knowing that Angie didn't die in vain- walk out with your box of cookies and join the army of aprons that know that every cookie, every dollar takes back a breath from the thieving hoarder of breaths of our children, the terrible monster whose name will soon be no more upon this earth.

There are approximately 30,000 Americans living with cystic fibrosis. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends, and co-workers who struggle every day just to breathe. I walk for them and hope you will support me in my efforts. Great Strides is a fun, family-friendly event that raises awareness and support for people with CF and their families.

Real progress has been for those who have CF, but there is still no cure for this devastating disease and many lives are cut far too short. By walking today, I am helping add tomorrows to the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis. Will you join me? Please consider making a donation to my Great Strides fundraising campaign today!

Please support me!

Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating to my Great Strides fundraising campaign. Your gift will help add tomorrows to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis by supporting groundbreaking research and medical progress. Your gift is 100-percent tax deductible.