From Survivor to Speaker: Meet Ber VanderMeer
We first met Ber VanderMeer when he was 4 years old, undergoing treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Today, he’s a college student at Christopher Newport University, studying Environmental Studies with a minor in Leadership and a certificate in Sustainability.
Ber is more than a survivor; he’s an embodiment of how hope and action can save lives. Thanks to the research Cookies for Kids’ Cancer helped fund, he received the treatments he needed to beat cancer. Now, Ber is sharing his story on a TEDx stage, speaking about hope, resilience and how one person’s actions can ripple out to change the world.
His family has been deeply involved in the fight against pediatric cancer, raising nearly $1.3 million through citywide bake sales, 5Ks and other events. Through their dedication, Ber’s journey is a powerful reminder that research saves lives and that community support makes it possible.
Life After Diagnosis
Ber was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma during the week of his fourth birthday. “Life literally went on pause, and this was the only thing I focused on.” he reflects.
For Ber and his family, the focus quickly shifted from fear to action. “It was immediately figuring out, okay, where’s the best place in the world to get treatment?” he explains. “We were lucky enough to have VCU Massey Cancer Center nearby and also found a team through Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York. We just threw the book at it to make sure we came out on top.”
It was during this time that Ber’s mom, Amber, met Gretchen, the founder of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, and her son Liam, who was undergoing the same treatment as Ber at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
“Meeting Gretchen and Liam was really special,” Ber says. “Here were people who were going through exactly what we were going through — and who later turned that experience into something bigger, helping kids like me.”
Ber received the first treatment Cookies for Kids’ Cancer helped fund through the 96K Bake-A-Thon — a tangible example of how community-driven fundraising directly fuels lifesaving research. “It gave me hope,” Ber says, “and it made me realize that even as a kid, I could be part of something that changes lives.” Reflecting on the odds he faced, Ber adds, “Stage 4 is the worst it can be, and it’s very much flipping a coin if you’re not careful. But thanks to research, I’m still here today.”
Growing Up with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer
Being part of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer gave Ber a sense of community and purpose during a difficult time. “Technically, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer didn’t even formally exist yet when I was first diagnosed,” he says. “Seeing how it evolved and being involved from both receiving support and giving back was really cool.”
As Ber has grown, his involvement has evolved. “Originally, I was just a kid who liked cookies and didn’t fully understand the implications of what we were doing. Now, I see exactly what Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is funding and the impact it has not just on my life, but on other kids too.”
A Moment That Sticks
Ber has had countless experiences with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, but one moment at Ber's Bowl, an annual athletic event held on Super Bowl weekend, stands out. During the event, people came up to him and knew him by name, not just as a survivor, but as “the Ber of Ber's Bowl.” He didn’t recognize them, yet it quickly struck him how far the community and its advocacy had reached.
“It was wild, here were people who knew my story, cared about what I was doing, and were part of this shared mission, all while I was meeting them for the first time,” Ber reflects. “Even small acts, a donation, a bake sale or hosting an event, ripple outward to create real change.”
At the same event, a teammate suggested adding a bench press competition for fun. “We thought maybe five people would sign up,” Ber laughs. “Thirty-three did, and we raised $550 in one afternoon. Moments like that show the impact of even a single idea, action or dollar.”
A Message to Our Supporters
Ber has a simple but powerful message for anyone who donates, volunteers or hosts events for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer: “Hope isn’t just wishing things get better. It’s taking action. When people choose hope, even the smallest actions become an ingredient in changing the world. Just do the one little thing. The ripple effects are enormous!”
The idea that small actions can create big change is something Ber has seen firsthand. His family has been fundraising for years, raising nearly $1.3 million through bake sales, 5Ks and community events. “Ber's Bowl alone has raised over $330,000 for Cookies,” he shares. “Even a single dollar, a small contribution, can make a difference in a child’s life. Seeing your effort turn into real progress is crazy, it’s inspiring, and it keeps you going.”
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Ber’s commitment remains as strong as ever. “Even if I’m not planning every event, just showing up and supporting a cause that’s given me so much is huge. I want to keep giving back to the community that supported me from the very beginning.”
From a young patient to a college student, fundraiser, advocate and now a TEDx speaker, his journey illustrates how research can give hope today for a child's tomorrow.