Layla Mathews is a student of Becker High School, a brain cancer survivor, and, now, a small business owner. With the help of her mom and many friends and family, Layla is operating “12 Cookies Co.” She is donating 25% of the profits from cookie sales back to the children’s hospital that treated her. 

Battle with Cancer

Layla’s teachers noticed her struggling in school while she was in sixth grade. She was uncharacteristically unfocused, and needed to be placed in a quiet room to get any of her schoolwork done. 

Over winter break of that year, she woke up with terrible neck pain that would not dissipate. Her parents brought her to see a doctor, who believed it was a sinus infection and put her on antibiotics. 

Layla continued to struggle with symptoms, and so, on the snowiest day of the year according to her mom, Shannon Mathews, they drove to the hospital to get a CT scan. 

Layla reported that the scan took a long time, and afterwards they were set in a room with a nurse and were told to expect a call from Layla’s primary physician. 

The physician called and let the family know that the scan showed a large mass, and that they needed to get to the children’s hospital as soon as possible. 

The snowy drive to the cities took four hours as the family navigated icy roads, and by the time they arrived a team of doctors and nurses was waiting for Layla. 

A large fluid-filled cyst had formed in Layla’s head, but it wasn’t until her first surgery that the doctors realized that, behind the cyst, there was also a cancerous tumor. It was a somewhat rare type of cancer called anaplastic ependymoma, which affects the central nervous system. 

Over the course of her treatment, Layla endured six surgeries and six weeks of intense chemotherapy. 

Today, she has been cancer-free for three years, and is focusing on school, sports, and her business. 

12 Cookies Co.

Layla was 12 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer (one dozen.) She was in sixth grade (half dozen). She went through six surgeries, six weeks of chemotherapy, and six weeks of radiation (half dozen). And, traditionally, bakers make goods by the dozen. So Layla named her baking business “12 Cookies Co.” 

During her treatment, Layla turned to old hobbies for comfort. She enjoyed golfing when she felt well enough (she even received a golf simulator to have at home through the Make-a-Wish foundation.) And, because of its popularity, she practiced making slime at home. But the hobby that really took off for her was baking. Layla learned the basics of baking and has even developed several of her own cookie recipes. 

Layla’s mom is part of the Pebble Creek Women’s Golf Club, and Layla was asked to bake for the club’s fall banquet. From there, the business took off, with friends and family commissioning Layla to bake for parties and events. 

Layla also sells her cookies at Blank Roots Salon and at Briggs Lake General Store. The Mathews family is on the lookout for other locations, and is also accepting online orders at their website 12-Cookies-Co.square.site. They can also be reached by phone (320-267-6094) or email (12CookiesCo@gmail.com).

Giving Back

Layla is donating a full 25% of her profits to fund children’s cancer research at the University of Minnsota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Layla was given the choice to donate to an international institution, but instead chose to make sure that the money she raises stays in-state, directly helping other Minnesota children who are battling cancer. This year, she hopes to double her previous contribution of $1,200.

The Mathews Family will also be leading a toy drive for Masonic Children’s Hospital. Their hope is to collect enough toys that every kid in the hospital during Christmas will receive a toy. Their goal is 500 toys. They were inspired to do this by a beautiful Easter basket Layla received while she was in the hospital receiving care. The toy drive will open November 28 and run through December 16. Donations will be accepted at many local businesses, including Scheideman Chiropractic, Michels Corporation, and Briggs Lake General Store.

When asked what advice she would have for another 12 year old facing the same diagnosis, Layla said: “Surround yourself with the people who will support you. Be strong. Faith is important. You’re in the Lord’s hands, follow his words and you’ll get through it. Find ways to distract yourself- take something bad and make it good!”