UPDATE on my Etsy

Ok. So a while back I posted that I was closing shop.  After a critique virtual lab with Etsy admin HeyMichelle, I was inspired to keep going and create some new items. In this lab, I learned that the item that the admin had purchased is on youtube in an Etsy video. Please see at the bottom of my blog.

I am so glad that I did. Because I decided to keep going, I ended up selling my cancer tribute top hat and then was able to donate $131.25 to The American Cancer Society.

It sold for $175.00 for a birthday gift to a woman who volunteers at a children's cancer hospital. 75% of the proceeds were donated as a memorial donation for Peggy Zemmer for the continued cancer research.

Peggy, my husband's grandmother lost her battle to cancer last year. She was a strong woman and I am honored that I was able to know her. She will be remembered always.

I will be making another headpiece in honor of my grandmother who also passed away due to cancer. Make your donation today! $5 is all it takes!

Jamie's Hair Clips LISTED

As promised, I have listed the clips I have made in Jamie's honor. I even made it by the end of March..just barely! If you wish to make a donation but do not wish to purchase a clip, please make all donations at  "The Jamie Bowe Donation," at any U.S. Bank. NO donation is too small!

Lavender- To raise awareness for ALL Cancers!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71068280/charity-cancer-awareness-feather-hair

Grey- To raise awareness for Brain Cancer!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71156622/brain-cancer-awareness-charity-grey-bow?ref=v1_other_1

To make it simple, I have listed them both for $50 plus shipping. ALL proceeds will go to her fund at US bank.

I have also dedicated a hat in my Creations By CReid crochet shop to this cause.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63004466/crochet-flapper-cloche-hat-with-grey-bow

So please help in the awareness in cancer and help a family! I know this isn't much and not near enough but I hope that I will be just one of many to do something for such an important cause.

Jamie Update

After speaking with Dawn, Jamie's sister, I decided I needed to include a little more information. While I am actively working on pieces to sell and donate the proceeds, I felt it was important to take it a step further.

These boys and her loving husband are her support team. I cannot imagine how they are handling this. How do you prepare your kids and husband for a life without you? How do you say goodbye?
With the aggressiveness of this form of cancer, it will take a miracle for her to have another year with them. Her new medications have been proven to extend the life of its patients for 7 months.

In Jamie's words on a website "The medications seem to have all the worst side affects on me.  But I will stay strong. I realize times are hard for everyone and money is tight, but I was the only one working and now I cannot.  Kenny is going to school and taking care of the boys, but I fear the financial burden is taking a heavy toll on him.  If anyone can help, please donate to "The Jamie Bowe Donation," at any U.S. Bank.  Thank you in advance, and we wish all of you the best.  Love, Jamie"

So, if you have an extra $5 that you were going to spend at McDonalds or buy that candy to snack on, please consider donating to a family in need. I know I am and hope that others would do the same for me. I would love to see them be able to afford to do something special with the boys before she gets too sick and give her husband a little financial relief.

I had to undergo heart surgery at age 29. Knowing that there was a chance I may not wake up after surgery had me in a panic. I kept thinking, "How will Paegen ever understand?" That was enough for me so I can't even imagine what Jamie and her family is going through.  Make sure you give your kids an extra hug today, tonight, tomorrow and always. Be sure to tell your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. Life is one second at a time and should never be taken for granted.
Thank you for reading this and hope that we can spread the word about the horrid nature of this Cancer and what it does to families.

Get the Tissues Ready

                                                                        Meet Jamie.
 She is a 33 year old mother of 3 little boys all under the age of 9.

She is loved and supported by many of those in her family.
Now, I don't personally "know" her, but her older sister is a close friend, and well family to me. Many of you recognize her name as she is my photographer. She has done a maternity shoot, fun shoots and my wedding of coarse. Her name is Dawn Alderman. Because of the friendship, I don't have to know her sister Jamie, to be effected by any sadness or sorrow.
Jamie was experiencing alot of headaches and a trip to the doctor in May 2010, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. We are coming up on the year mark of her initial diagnosis. This month, they discovered that the Tremador chemo did not work and her tumor as actually grown. She is at stage 4. She has started a new kind of chemo treatment that  has been shown to stop tumor progression by cutting off the tumors blood supply.

Coronal MRI with contrast of a glioblastoma WHO grade IV in a 15-year-old male.

This type of brain cancer is the most common and aggressive. Even though it is considered the most common,  it only occurs in  2–3 cases per 100,000 people in Europe and North America. It's name? Glioblastoma multiforme or GBM. (information and mri photo from Wikipedia.)
Unfortunately, we all have known someone who has had to go through this horrid fight with Cancer. It doesn't matter the kind of cancer as it all can lead to a horrid end. My grandma died in 1994 of cancer. My husband's grandmother lost her fight with it this past June. My uncle(well, technically cousin) is battling cancer right now.
It amazes me that with all the study and research that's been done and that continues...they have still not found a cure.
With enough positive thinking and prayers, let this be one of the survivors. She has 3 boys that need her..not to mention her family and friends.  Please take a moment and think/pray hard for miracles to start happening.
During Dawn's visit with Jamie this month, she took her to MAC makeup for the day and bought her all new makeup! She had an amazing day. Let there be many more for YEARS to come.
Let there be many more wonderful years for all those battling this horrid battle.

During my research of this type of cancer, I found that it too has a ribbon. All cancers do but most recognize the pink ribbon that symbolizes breast cancer. Brain cancer's ribbon color is grey and overall cancer awareness is lavender. As you know, I have a couple Etsy shops.

 I have one item in my CreationsByCReid shop that all proceeds will be donated to Jamie and her family. I am currently working on at least one item for my FeatherAhead that all proceeds will be donated to Jamie and her family as well. I went to Joann's yesterday and bought a spool of grey and a spool of lavender ribbon to start on these projects. I will make a post once these items are done.

I have one item in this shop now that 75% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of my husband's grandmother.
If you own an Etsy shop or know someone who does, let us join together and help where we can. If you care to participate, please give me the link to the item in which you would like to donate the proceeds. When you are ready to make your donation, I will give you the information needed to go ahead and do so. Thank you for your support, prayers and positive thinking. Please share this!