When
you buy my jewelry, you help make a difference!
My cancer diagnosis in
2003 took me completely by surprise. At the end of an awful year of
treatment, I was left wondering what to do with the rest of my life.
Evidently a lot of cancer survivors struggle with this; I suspect that anyone
who faces a life-threatening disease struggles with it. It is a huge
wake-up call. I needed and wanted to make even the smallest difference
with the rest of my life. Along the way, I discovered that I have a
talent for designing jewelry (where it was hiding during all my pre-cancer
years remains a mystery). I realized I could use my hobby-run-amuck to
raise funds for charity...and that is exactly what I'm doing.
When I was diagnosed
with breast cancer, I was stunned to discover how many of us are out
there. Everyone knew someone who had battled this terrible disease. I use
my jewelry business to raise funds for two causes. One is breast cancer
research and education. This year I will be walking in the Avon Breast
Cancer event to be held in Boston May 17 & 18, and will be selling jewelry
to help meet my $1800 fund-raising commitment.
Because organizations
are so saturated these days with various federal reporting requirements, I
cannot mention my second charity specifically by name. I can
say that it is an organization dedicated to research, education and support for
those who suffer with various connective tissue
disorders. I stumbled across this particular organization as I
neared the completion of my treatment for cancer. Their
cause somehow called to me, and my decision to do what I could to
support their efforts was the first step I took away from being a cancer
patient... towards being a cancer survivor. |
