Get Your House in Order: Cancer Awareness & Giveaway

“He will command His angels concerning you to guard you carefully.” Luke 4:10

A few weeks ago I was reminded that September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month (Leukemia and Lymphoma) and encouraged me to use my blog to help raise awareness. I am always willing to give a voice to those fighting and winning against cancer. To me cancer never wins. I will never understand the painful process or the impact and loss it causes but I rest in knowing that...ONE DAY there will be no more cancer. Period.

You know how sometimes you read a blog or a book about someone's life and you are just blown away with their story? You connect with so many parts of their lives and you gain insight and inspiration immediately. As was the case with the story, art and website of Patience Brewster, you must take a look for yourself at their page!

Patience Brewster reached out to me about writing about a post, after reading some of my cancer stories on Blessings, Suzanne. Patience designs Christmas ornaments (had me right there!), stationary (another love of mine), and other fabulous items. In 2002, her son, Holland was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 23 and fought the brave battle until 2005. In an effort to help others she and her family started the Holland C. Greg IV Research Fund, an LLS fund is her son's name to advance "immunotherapy research that is saving lives now, without horrible side effects. The outlook is hopeful." They raise funds that go DIRECTLY to an astounding research team they have met and had first hand experience with. They are developing less traumatic and more effective therapies for blood cancers, and finding treatments for other ailments along the way. You can find more information about their story and foundation in this piece written by Patience for their blog or go to the LLS page.

Those of you who read the blog know how much I love to decorate for Christmas! This year I am so excited to add a new and special ornament to our tree. Each year Patience Brewster designs an ornament in honor of her son, Holland (Herm) and to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Holland C. Gregg Research Fund mentioned above. How sweet is this raccoon named Huck? Holland's favorite animal was a raccoon and one of his many nicknames was Huck. Another thing you might note is how much we talk about animals on this blog. Abby and Luke will love this ornament!!!!

Connections are so important to me.  Cancer is a family disease, it affected all of us and changed us, and it is a memorial stone that marks the hand print of God in our family's life. We take joy in remembering that every day is a blessing. Sweet reminders such as this family and this ornament make the pain and suffering of it all have purpose. It gives me the strength to continue to be a voice, for the rest of my days here on this earth. 

In honor of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, I am giving away this special " LLS Huck Raccoon Ornament." If you would like to try and win him for your tree this year all you have to do is:

1) Go to the Patience Brewster page and look at all the beautiful Christmas ornaments

2) Comment on this post with your favorite and you will be put in the drawing between today and September 30th. Winner will be announced on October 1, 2015.

Though I did not know Holland during his cancer journey, I did meet a man with Lymphoma, at one of my treatments, who made quite an impression on me. That is one more reason I support this cause. Here's our short but life changing moment:

I was sitting in my "stall" hooked up to an IV, receiving a treatment, feeling pretty exhausted.  I had come there after working a few hours and then would head to carpool to get my kiddos. Probably lost in thought, I suddenly see a bald man, in his sixties, dressed in a suit pop his head around the corner. He too is hooked up to an IV, came from work but what he said to me changed my whole day, my outlook and gave me validation....... 

"Cancer ain't for sissies is it?"

Instant connection. "You got that right" I said quickly and with a giggle! I have shared that with so many people in the trenches of harsh treatments and  surgery. It seems to give them a lift, just like it did me that day. I found out later that he went to church with my parents. I have followed his prognosis and recently felt crushed to learn that he had passed away.  But I will never forget him. I will keep telling his story too. Thank you, Lord, for those you place in my path, day after day and shine a light in our hardest and darkest times. Amen. 

My heart is full. A special thanks to Patience Brewster and family for this opportunity to bring awareness to Leukemia and Lymphoma research! 

And in honor of Holland Gregg, what a blessing! 

Please donate today!

Day#268 We are the body

Blessings,

Suzanne