In 2023, St. Johns resident Jennifer Pirozzolo received life-altering news: she had endometrial cancer. But rather than letting the diagnosis break her, she turned it into a mission to bring comfort and joy to others.
Pirozzolo has always loved baking. During her treatment—grueling rounds of chemotherapy and a complicated recovery—she found solace in the kitchen. Preparing sweet treats gave her a sense of control and peace, even on the toughest days.
Now cancer-free, Pirozzolo is still baking—but with a bigger purpose.
Through her small business, Peaches and Dreams, she creates custom-designed cookies and cakes, often adorned with elegant details and vibrant colors. The “Peaches” in her bakery’s name is a nod to the peach-colored ribbon that represents uterine and endometrial cancer awareness.
In December 2024, just over a year after completing treatment, she launched a nonprofit effort called The Sprinkles of Love Project.
“I wanted to do something more,” she said. “Something that gave back.”
Having experienced firsthand how even a small gesture can lift spirits during a hospital stay, Pirozzolo was determined to pay it forward.
She remembers counting the hospital admission bracelets from her cancer journey. There were 70. During long infusion sessions, she’d look out the window at the Ronald McDonald House across the street and imagine the families inside.
When she saw volunteers handing out toys or baked goods, she noticed how children’s faces would light up.
“It was like brightness came into their eyes,” she recalled. “That stuck with me.”
That image became the seed for Sprinkles of Love, a growing network of 20 “cottage bakers” (home-based bakers) who donate beautifully crafted treats to local nonprofits and events across Jacksonville.
Her team’s work, which she calls “Sprinkle Missions,” supports children and families facing medical challenges. Partners include Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville and Dreams Come True, which supports children battling life-threatening illnesses.
This fall, Sprinkles of Love is collaborating with Yes, You’re Invited (Y2I2), a nonprofit that helps children with special needs participate in milestone events like birthday parties and community gatherings.
Just two years ago, Pirozzolo was a patient. Today, she visits hospitals for a different reason: to deliver smiles, hope, and homemade sweetness—one cookie at a time.
