Introducing the Most Munificent Sugar Angel, Rene!

Note from our editor and blog coordinator, Dr. Anna Vestling, M.D.: Per the Oxford Dictionary, munificent describes a person with gestures or acts “more generous than is usual or necessary“. This uncommonly used but perfectly apt descriptor was just the right fit for our volunteer bakers, who we affectionately term Sugar Angels. Working directly with both the families and the rest of the Icing Smiles team, they truly bring a child’s dream cake to life in the most delicious and generous ways. This holiday season, we are featuring several of their stories, and can’t wait to learn more about their giving spirits and creative talents.

When Sugar Angel Rene Balog heard about Icing Smiles, she immediately wanted to be a part of the team. Diagnosed with both Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis–both autoimmune diseases wherein the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue causing chronic inflammation and damage–she knows the obstacles encountered in healthcare. She cannot imagine a child going through as much as she does, let alone so much more than she does. Generously providing cakes to critically ill kids is just one small thing she can do to give back and help them to have a birthday they will never forget!

Rene has always loved sculpting, so it was natural to venture into cake decorating. She started by taking classes at the local craft stores, then practicing at home. From there on, it was history!

During Rene’s Call To Action in August, she created a magical mermaid cake for a pair of sisters, Delilah and Lucy. Rene made a beautiful, colorful, and very detailed three-tiered Barbie Mermaid themed cake. She spent all night sculpting the perfect tails for the Mermaid Barbie cake toppers. And although the birthday cake was for Delilah, there was a surprise on the cake for her sister Lucy as well. But, there was a catch: Lucy is not able to eat cake. So with a part of the cake decorations, Rene created a shell with a sound chip in it that played music so that the cake could be enjoyed by Lucy as well. To add to the amazingly thoughtful cake, Rene gifted the girls mermaids to play with as well.

Rene’s amazing talent, creativity, thoughtfulness and generosity is why we here at Icing Smiles are so proud to have her as a Sugar Angel.

With cake + smiles,

Chasity Brown

Icing Smiles Blog Writer