Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Thursday, October 2, 2014



me and mom - 1984

October is breast cancer awareness month. And for those of you know who me, know that this month holds a special place in my heart.

My mom died of breast cancer in 2003. And if you do the math... yes, I was only 18. I was a freshman in college when I got that dreaded phone call. I needed to come home. There wasn't much time left.

Without getting into too many personal details, she was first diagnosed when I was 11 (and my brother was 8). She went through chemo and radiation and surgeries and went into remission. Then it came back. In her lymph nodes. More chemo and more radiation and she went into remission. And then it came back in her lungs... and the doctors said there was nothing they could do. 

She was 51 years young.

She got to see me graduate high school, but not my brother.
She missed my college graduation.
She's never met Seth. She couldn't be at our wedding.
She's never met Mason.

And while I do believe that she is watching down on us everyday and has actually "attended" these events and "met" Seth and Mason, it's not the same. She was robbed of so much.

For breast cancer awareness month, my friend Katie (a Stella and Dot stylist) and I have teamed up to host an online Stella and Dot trunk show! I hosted my first online trunk show a couple months ago and Katie so generously donated part of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This year, for breast cancer awareness month, Stella and Dot has come up with two beautiful bracelets. One is called "Strength"- it is rose gold and simply stunning. The other is called "Inspire" and it is gold and hot pink and has a adorable elephants cut into the band.
And the best part? ALL proceeds (100%!) of the bracelets goes toward the Noreen Fraser Foundation

[From www.noreenfraserfoundation.org] The mission of the Noreen Fraser Foundation (NFF), a 501c3 not for profit organization based in Los Angeles, is to raise funds for breakthrough research that advances precision medicine for the prevention and treatment of women’s cancers.  Our hope is that cancer will become a manageable disease that patients will live with and not die from, until it ceases to exist.
NFF supports research for all women’s reproductive cancers (breast, ovarian, cervical and uterine/endometrial) because not only is there a strong hormonal and biological link between the women’s cancers including hereditary cancer syndromes but also because research in one type of women’s cancer oftentimes progresses research in the other types of women’s cancers. A multi-disciplinary approach and collaboration among researchers in the various fields of women’s cancers is absolutely necessary to accelerate the development of reasonable treatment options and potential cures.
While we focus on several types of cancers as opposed to just one, the research we fund is focused on making a real impact on women’s lives quickly. We feel that while a lot of money has been raised in the name of cancer, it has been divided amongst thousands of researchers and thousands of ideas diluting its impact. We believe that more money needs to be channeled to a smaller number of ideas. Focused funding and focused research will afford us the best chance to make greater strides and give this generation more than just hope to pass on to the next generation.



If you like what you see, or want to see more (spoiler alert : everything is GORGEOUS!), please feel free to shop my trunk show and help me donate money to help fund breast cancer research!



Happy shopping!


17 comments:

  1. I am so sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. I can't even imagine how hard that must be... Back when it happened and every day since then. Cancer really is a bitch! I will definitely check out your trunk show!

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  2. You are so amazing, brave and strong! My heart hurts for you that you have experienced so much loss! I wish I could give you a hug right now! But since I can't, I promise to check out your trunk show! I love that you are doing this!! xoxo

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  3. I am absolutely attending your trunk show.
    Thank you for being so brave to tell your story. Sending lots of hugs your way!!

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  4. Oh girl, I can't even imagine what you've gone through having lost your mom at such a young age, but I love seeing that you continue to help fight the fight to find a cure. Your mom would definitely be proud of that...and I will be checking out your trunk show for sure...keep your head up and that gorgeous smile on your face!

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  5. Love that you're doing this. I'm so sorry about the loss of your mom, especially so young. Lots of hugs your way <3 My mom too had breast cancer a few years ago, and thankfully is in remission, so October is an important month for us too. I'm checking out your trunk show shortly - love stella and dot!

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  6. I love the elephant bracelet. My sister & I are big supporters of breast cancer awareness. At my wedding last year, I didn't want to do the whole clanking of the glasses to get my hubby & I to kiss so we made people donate money & we sent that money to Susan G. Komen.

    Mandie ~ http://badbrewpack.blogspot.com/

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    1. That is awesome Mandie. The elephant bracelet is so cute!

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  7. I'm so sorry about your mom. I feel the same way about them being robbed from so much. Such a loss. This is a wonderful idea! I love both those bracelets.

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    1. Courtney please pick up both bracelets to help!!!

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  8. So glad you shared this story. I think so many people have the mentality (including me) that things like cancer won't happen to them. Sometimes we need a reality check and to know how important it is to be on top of tests/screenings, etc. Your mother raised an amazing woman and I am sure she is so proud of the mom you are now! I love that elephant bracelet, I am going to have to check them all out!

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    1. Julia pick up an elephant bracelet for you and and all your friends as a reminder of women and the strength we have!

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  9. Big hugs friend!!! I can relate on some level, having lost a few grandparents to cancer.

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    1. Hall Around Texas thank you for your support. Check out the link and be sure to pick up a bracelet to help end cancer!

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