A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 Breast Cancer Quilt

Hey everyone...

Last week I ordered a quilt frame and its supposed to come sometime this week. I'm soo excited! I'll be able to make big quilts more easily now.

I am designing a breast cancer quilt that I would like to auction off in a silent auction as a fund rasier for the Relay for Life. It will have a white or off white background with a giant pink ribbon in the middle. All around the ribbon will be log cabin blocks (don't know if anyone knows what those look like). For each bar in the log cabin blocks, I'm going to quilt the name of a breast cancer survivor or victim. I did the math and I should need 952 names for my quilt. I wanted to give my friends here at the forum first dibs on getting names of people who they know on the quilt. So, if you know someone who has or had breast cancer, will you share a name?

Here is a picture of what the quilt looks like now. I might modify the top part of the ribbon, but this will give you the idea of what it will look like. The blocks around the ribbon with all of the pieces are the log cabin blocks. That is where the names will go.

I will PM you!!!

Weezie

P.S. That quilt is AWESOME and I love it!!!

Jenn...
That is awesome!

Unfortunately, I have a few names for your quilt.

I'll PM them.

I would consider that to be a good thing.

I have been asked if I am taking first names or whole names. Since I will have pieces that are going to be small and large, I will take first names, first and last names, or just initials.

If you have friends who know of people whose names could be on the quilt, let them know about the quilt and then ask for names.

I am not sure if we will do the silent auction...I might end up doing a raffle...or drawing (same thing, I suppose) since that might bring in more donations than the silent auction.

Here is the quilt revamped. The top of the ribbon is now more in proportion. Which do you like better....#1 or #2?

Well, when it's all finished and you're ready to raffle it or whatever, let me know and I'll buy a bunch of tickets! Then, I'll raffle it off again and donate the money if I win it.

#2

I like the way you think!!

It would be neat if everyone who ended up with it did that, and you could track it and find out how much money ended up being made (donated) off that one quilt!

The pink ribbon is for breast cancer, and that was originally going to be what my quilt is for, but I was thinking more, and the Relay for Life is for all types of cancer. Should I make the ribbon a different color??? Should I put names of people who had other types of cancers also?? What do you guys think???

I think a lot of people know what the pink ribbon is for. It is recognized instantly. Another color, and others may not realize, and have to ask, what the significance of the color is. The only other color I can think of, is yellow, because Lance Armstrong wears the yellow band & sells them to support cancer research from his website. However, a yellow ribbon is widely used already, for "supporting our troops". I think it would be fine to include other types of cancer victims/survivors on the quilt. I could give you several names from my family and my hubby's family. If you decide to use more than just breast cancer, just say so, and I'll include the others.

And I think the 2nd version looks nicer too.

Meg

The other color would be lavendar. But maybe I should stick with the pink. Dunno....anyone else think anything of it?

If it's for Breast Cancer,
it absolutely has to be pink!!!

But, start a new trend and if you can do
more than one, do a purple one and put
other cancers, all types of them....
Would be a fantastic idea....

Weezie

I guess I will just stick to breast cancer for this quilt. I did find out that lavendar is for all cancers in general and baby blue is for prostate cancer. So, I will do the breast cancer quilt for this year, and perhaps a lavendar one for next year and the blue one for the year after that.

So, now all I need is some names.

Jenn...

I PM'd you the name.

Please make sure we get a chance to buy tickets, or whatever, for this quilt if it's possible. This subject hits a little close to home with me.

I explained in the PM.

i think it is awesome and i am posting my names (and how they fit) here. mostly so that if anyone should read this and know these people, they will know that they are remembered.

first (and closest to my heart) is Nelda Picheo. she was my great aunt on my father's side and absolutely one of my favorite people growing up. i still miss her and she has been gone a long time.

second is Henrietta Mead. the land i grew up on was purchased from her and her husband. i think she is the first person i ever knew with breast cancer.

the third is Eileen Hudspeth. Mrs. Eileen is the grandmother of one of my daughter's friends from middle/high school and is still hanging in - although the cancer has spread horribly, she was in church for the Christmas eve service!

i think what you are doing is a wonderful thing, and i am proud of you. please be sure to post a picture of the quilt when you are done!

Jen...this is AWESOME!!!
I would be honored to have my mother's name on the quilt...Helen Williams...I miss her SO!!!
And my sister~in~law who has jus finished her Chemo (for this month) Mildred Walker.
And a VERY dear friend Grace Drye (survivor)who is a nurse and does medical missions with her husband...they help SO many people who have no medical resources in many different countries.
I'm with Cindy on the raffle thing...I will raffle your ears off...and help in any other way you need it...like do you need material, thread,an 18 m/o baby to keep you awake so you can work on it longer??????(oops, guess you wouldn't want that, Peanut is driving me crazy right now)Anything you need I will pitch in...just let me know! This ia a GOOD thing you are doing!

What the heck is Peanut doing up at this time
of night???

Weezie

Jenn,

Your quilt is so beautiful! What a moving project to work on - I'm at the thought!

Have you decided to limit the names to victims of breast cancer? If you are including other types of cancer, I have names to add to the quilt if you have the space.

You're doing a great job - please let us know if we can contribute to the project!

Ok Jenn.. I think I'll follow suit here and give you names I know-
Lottie Whitmore, she was my husband's great grandmother, and a very sweet woman.
Lillian Huffman, my very own grandmother, who's still kicking. Can't say the same for my grandfather who passed away from a different cancer.
Colleen Patrick, a writer, a friend, a survivor.

And definately, let us know when that raffle is!! I like Cindy's idea too.. if it's won, re-raffle it to donate again!!

Meg

I'm in for the raffle! It's a GREAT idea

Marie Dorsey-My maternal Aunt,she passed when I was 11. During her hospital stays she crocheted afghans,the last one she made was for me and she finished it 1 month before she passed(I still have it!)

Lee Thompson-Maries daughter. Cancerous changes were found and she endured a double mastectomy. She is a very "volunteer" oriented person and has survived to help her community again.

G-Mom

Thanks for the names! So far I have 13 names for my list. I've once again revamped the quilt because I found more rotated blocks in it!! But, I think I've got it completely figured out now. I've added a deeper color pink to it to get that 3 dimensional look to it. Let me know what you think of it....do you like it all the same color pink or with the 2 pinks?



Thank you to those who want to donate to the quilt. I'm not one for asking for help, but since you've volunteered, I will definately take whatever your willing to donate!! I've got thread to sew the blocks together, but I don't have the fabrics that I'll need. I thought about going to JoAnn Fabrics or Wal-mart and asking if they would like to donate to the project, but I'm not sure if that will take alot of time??? The Relay is in July and I need to have the quilt done by at least May to show it so that people will buy into the raffle. So, here is a list of fabric that I will need for the top of the quilt.

1 yard of the medium/dark pink
7 yards of the medium/light pink

and a whopping 14 1/2 yards for the white/cream/off white color this calculation is probably NOT right. I'm sending the picture of the quilt to my MIL and she is going to figure out how much of this I'll need.

I will also need 5 or 6 spools of pink hand quilting thread for after the top is done and I'm ready to quilt the top.

PM me if you'd like to donate so that I can give you my address and tell you what kind of fabric to look for.

Seems to me that you might get the wrong color matches, or not what you really want if we send fabric, thread, etc.

I'll just send a little CASH so you can get what you want.

I didn't think about that.

Thanks soo much, Cindy. I'm going to give anyone who donates to the quilt credit on the label...which is a big deal...its not everyday you get your name on a label!

I was thinking the same thing as Cindy (scared me) I know that not all Wally Worlds carry the same thing and YOU need to get what you want to work with..so I'm sending cash also.
You're a good girl Jenn!

I am such a night owl and he KNOWS if he wakes up and I am awake I WILL go get him and rock him (it's the sweetest time)so if he hears me up during the night...he let's me know! What cha gonna do???

Hey...imagine how I feel!
I think the same thing as Cindy ALL THE TIME!

Jenn,

This is such a wonderful idea (and you sound like a wonderful person). All of these ideas are great. My support will definitely be there for you. (I'll send $ and p.m. names)

I love the tracking the quilt idea and raffling it off (or raising money in any way)by each winner/owner of the quilt. It could be never-ending fund-raising for breast cancer awareness. She has made more quilts than anyone I know and just got diagnosed with cancer (stomach, etc.).

Les

Cindy...you make my day...you are such a HOOT! Or as my sis would say...a hoot & 1/2!

Hey...I make my own day, too!
(You should see me.....I 'm here by myself all the time, and I crack myself up!)
Thanks!

I was just talking to the hubby about this and he was thinking (he has a lot of time to think) (and doesn't think like Cindy!) that it would be better if we sent you a Wal-Mart gift card so you wouldn't have to deal with out of state check hassels...so that's what we're a doin!

The funny thing is.... she's telling the truth!

That's a good idea, too. Cool.

Yeah, Vanessa...that IS a good idea!
Glad I thought of that!

there is only room in this house for one of us to be thinkin like you!
How did I GET that job?????

I've already started thinking about the next quilt. The ribbon is going to be lavendar...the color for cancer awarness in general. That quilt will be open to names of people who have had all types of cancers. Since each specific type of cancer has it's own awareness color (ovarian=green, prostate=blue, etc), I will make the log cabin blocks consist of all of those colors. So, the quilt will be multi-colored all around the single large lavendar ribbon.


Thanks again to those who are donating, I really appreciate it. I am trying to figure out a way that I can get the person who wins it to raffle it off and so on. My MIL, who thinks like Cindy ALL the time!! , thought that having a continuous raffle for the quilt was an awesome idea.

I've emailed JoAnn Fabrics and asked if they would donate to the quilt. I am waiting for them to answer. I couldn't find an email for Wal-mart tho. So, I'm hoping that I can find the manager of my Super Wal-mart while I'm there today. I'll keep you all posted.

Oh...Cricket~ I can't remember if I ever answered your question. This quilt will just be for breast cancer, BUT, make sure you PM me your names when I start the next quilt, ok?

Jenn,
This is just a thought off the cuff, but
why don't you email like the head foundation
of Breast Cancer Awareness and tell them of your
you're going to do, and I'll bet you'd not only get help from them, but may give them a national idea as well....
Just an idea but one that sounds like it would fly with some help!!!

Weezie

Great idea! I'm sure that the American Cancer Society is the head of that...but I will have to look into it. I know where the Breast Cancer website is, so I will look there. What do you think I should ask them for??...like, how do I word it?

After I make the quilt, I'm going to write to the newspaper and to the news stations and to the local radio stations to see if they will do a story on the quilt to get people to buy raffle tickets.

Exactly, On the news paper and tv...

And I bet that the Breast Cancer Society could almost *maybe* start a NATIONAL thing to for a fund raiser idea for alot of other quilters too!!!

or at least try it on a local level and see how
it goes???

You never know!!
But I think it's a neat idea!

Weezie

I wrote to the person in charge of the local ACS things and also to ACS directly. Here is what I told them.
Hopefully I will hear from him soon.

I've also sent out an email to my friends asking for names.

So, that's where I'm at right now.

Perfect...
I think that's exactly what you needed to ask and know!!!
Can't wait to hear about it!!!

Weezie

I got an email from Joann Fabrics. They gave me an address that I'm supposed to write to and ask for the donation. So, I wrote up a letter to the lady, explained to her what the quilt is for, and sent a copy of the quilt design. I also gave her the chance to give me names for the quilt. ...and asked her to pass the information to anyone she knows.

Well, I am excited about the "general" quilt! I lost my entire family..both sets of grandparents, parents, aunts & Uncles to various kinds of cancer in a 5 year period...it was/is HORRIBLE! My sister & her 2 children and my son are all that is left from a really large family. So I can fill half that quilt with names! We use to have large family reunions and holiday dinners and I miss that so much! You just never know!

Well, then I think I start taking names for the "all cancers" quilt right now also (as long as we don't forget about the breast cancer quilt...that is what I will work on first). I re-counted and I need a total of 905 for the breast cancer quilt. ...of course, I might have counted wrong again. Anyone else want to try? PM me with your email address and I'll send you a larger copy of the quilt.

For names for the all cancers quilt, I will need the names...or initials... along with what kind of cancer it was. I, also, have names for that quilt. I found out that my aunt had breast cancer. I didn't know that. She died from lung cancer, but had a mastectomy about 20 years ago.

Les...Why don't you post a link to it here?

Cindy

**Update**

Lastnight before I went to bed, I sent a mass email out to just about everyone in my online contacts. I explained to them the quilt and everything. This morning I didn't have anything in my mail, but when I got home from work tonight, I had like 12 emails, almost all of them with a name of two. Some of my friends have forwarded the email to their contact list and some of their friends have forwarded the quilt and information yet again! So, now I'm really excited! I'm going to write to the local newspaper and ask them to print up a story about the quilt and to put contact information for me in the story so that people around here can give me names. I'm also going to write to a couple of local news networks.

I'm now up to 36 names on the list. ...5 for the "general cancers" quilt.

Jenn,

That was a well-written letter to ACS. I work for the dept. for public health system so I will get the letter around to some of my coworkers if you'd like.

Here is the link that has been going around to fund mammograms. There may even be someone to contact on this site.

click to fund a free mammogram

Well, obviously I didn't do something right...

Well you can go to "thebreastcancersite.com".

Is that the right place Leslie???

Let me know and make sure it's the right one.

Weezie

That's it.

Is it okay to put something like that on here? Sorry if I was out of line.

Shamrock,
That would be great if you could let your coworkers know! You can give them my email address....I'll PM it to you.

If anyone else wants my email address to give to someone who knows names or wants to give it to friends who know names....or want to write their own mass email about the quilt, PM me and I'll give you my email address.

Will be glad to. Please do.

Once I send it out it probably won't take long to be all across the state.

You may get bombarded with emails! <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" />

That would be great. I've been getting emails pretty much non-stop tonight and I'm just soo excited about this quilt. Its soo touching to hear what people have to say about the people that the know and knew.

Leslie,
Not a problem on those!!!
Pretty much anything for a good cause!!!

Weezie

Jenn- It's a terrific thing you're doing. I am seriously so moved by this. You're AWESOME! I'm gonna send you a little bit of money, too, and I think I might have 3 or 4 names for you. My grandmother had breast cancer, and two aunts I know for sure died from it, and I think another aunt survived it as well. I'm gonna e-mail my mom and ask if you can put their names.

Thank you, Weezie.

Another idea. You could save all your emails, and combine them into a "book." The parts where they are telling about "their" person(s) anyway. Or do kind of like a diary of what you do each day on it, about the new names you get.

Sounds like a whole lot of work though! But you could do something with a "history" on each name. But then again, I'm sure there would be people who wouldn't want anything written.

Hey, that is a good idea...and so early in the morning, Leslie!
When I think about our (mine and shamrock's) Granny Larkey dying of breast cancer, I think about how terribly painful it must have been for her. She didn't have medical care (60 years ago) and my mom told me the cancer ate right through her, and she had open lesions with bandages on them. Just had to deal with it the best she could...the sores, the pain, and the dying.



Cindy

Jenn- maybe this is a stupid idea, but have you thought about "selling" each block for like a dollar apiece? So that way, if I have 5 names (which I do), the person sends you 5 dollars? I mean, with 900+ blocks, that would raise a lot right there!

I will keep that in mind for the next quilt. I'm up to 51 names for the quilt now. Some people have given me 9 names!!!...I'm not sure if the response would be so good with the amount of names that people can give me....BUT....I will remember that when I make the all cancers quilt. Maybe that will work. I think I will have to talk to my MIL about it. Thanks for the idea!

Quick update....

I just got 25 names from a lady that knows my neighbor. She is a minister's wife and nows alot of people. I'm up to 80 names now.

.

Your quilt pattern is beautiful.

Today I added the 100th name to the list. 855 names to go.....BUT...not bad for one week of collecting names!

I also got a phone call from the lady who coordinates the Relay for Life in Sullivan County, which is where I I participate in the relay. She is going to do what she can to help get the word out. She will have an announcement at the beginning of her meetings and will email or fax the names to me as they come in.

Hi Jenn!

I haven't been posting much of late, but have been dropping in and reading posts, and have been following this one closely, as breast cancer has affected members of my family as well.

I've sent you a PM with names to include, and will spread the word through an e-mail to friends and family.

Thank you so much for creating such a charitable and creative piece of work - YOU'RE THE BEST!

Lynne

Thank you Jenn for all your hard work! You're awesome !

Please include this name for me, Diahnna L. Halpin.

My friend, Timothy , lost his wife 2 years 3 months ago after a very long, hard fight. I never met Diahnna in person, but I know a lot about her. I work in a school kitchen with her Aunt Sandy and during her courageous battle we got weekly, sometimes daily updates of her condition. We sent meals to the family which included Diahnna, her husband Timothy, and their two children, Kathi, a teenager, and Matthew 9.

From what everyone has told me , D was a fun-loving , high-spirited, wild-child young lady. During the last years of her life she tried everything to stay young and healthy for her family. She joined the local gym, had multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, anything and everything the doctors told her to do. She took trips to Nebraska to visit and be close to her sisters, almost too weak to make it back to Maine at one point. The last year the ugly disease really took it's toll on the family. All the doctor appointments, hospitalizations, medical bills piling up, all the household chores of daily living like laundry, meals,dishes, caring for the kids and seeing to their needs fell on Timothy's shoulders , with the help of extended family. He was her caregiver and all he wanted was his wife back. He informed everyone that Diahnna got whatever Diahnna wanted. Near the end a typical day for her was getting out of bed and moving onto the couch about 20 feet away and often times having to be carried back to bed. She lost her life on October 30, 2002 at the age of 35.

Two years later, this past November, Timothy and I were "fixed up" on a blind date. What I was expecting ws a nice time, dinner, movie, maybe a second date. What I got was SO much more ! I felt an immediate connection with him and I know that his time with D has helped shape him into the man he is today. He is kind, sensitive, fun, goofy, sweet and caring. We talk about Diahnna often, mostly her life and not her death. The cancer doesn't deserve to define her life. The love and devotion in his eyes and in his voice when he speaks about her just melts me and brings me to tears. I love her too. When I'm with Timothy I never, ever feel like I'm living in Diahnna's shadow, rather I feel like I'm living in her sunshine!

Thank you again and God bless.

Mel,
Thanks very much for the name...and for telling us about Diahnna. She is number 134 on my list.

Today when I got home from work, there were 12 emails in my box waiting for me...all with names. I jumped from 116 names on the list to 134 in a matter of minutes!

That's all this update will have in it since I am just soooo tired today. I have soo much going on right now...the quilt, another project (which will be put on hold after this week), and we are preparing to go on a trip to Florida in March to help people rebuild homes that were damaged during the hurricanes. So, I am trying to raise funds for that trip as well. Do you ever feel like your trying to raise money for too many things!?!? :rolleyes:

Anyways, thanks everyone for the support. I appreciate it greatly. You are all wonderful!

Mel...Your post made me cry.

What a nice tribute to Diahnna.

Cindy

155 names

Mel- Your post was beautiful. What a tribute.

Jenn- I forgot to send you money. Will still do it, though! I don't suppose you have a paypal account do you? And now rebuilding from the hurricanes. Once again, you ROCK!

Stephen has a paypal account, but he is unsure if he would have to pay a fee for the money to get put into the account. He says that for him to get the $ out of the account, there is no fee and for him to pay someone, but he does get charged a fee if money is put in the account from an auction. He is not sure if there would be a charge for cash to be just put into that account without an auction. So.......I guess to make it all simple, you can just send it here to the house.

Before it snowed, I did go out to get fabric for the top of the quilt because I wanted to be able to work on the quilt while I was stuck in the house. I only got the bare minium that I would need because I didn't want you to feel badly for not getting the donation here in time for me to use it for my initial buying of fabric. I still have to buy threads and batting and backing fot the quilt. Yesterday I didn't get to work on the quilt since we had a brown out for 3-4 hours and I couldn't run anything. Today I worked on cutting fabric during the Eagles game. I have all of the pink cut and am getting ready to cut the white colors.

Let's see....as of right now there are 165 names on the list.

I will start another thread for the rebuilding thing if people are interested in knowing more about that. Let me know if I should.

Jenn...
I finally got mine out in the mail yesterday.

(Just kidding!)

Cindy

Well, I love the magnets!! They look good on my barren frig!

There are 185 names on the list now.

I got a letter from JoAnn Fabrics in response to my request to a donation. The letter basically told me that my quilt wasn't a big enough project for them to help me out. A little discouraging, but I can still ask for a 10% discount on supplies if I talk to the person in charge of our local JoAnn. If she feels its a good enough cause, she can give the 10% off to me.

I start cutting fabric. All of the pink is done and I've started on the white. That's about it for the quilt right now.

are you still taking names? i have a few more if you are...

yup...I will take names up until I'm almost done quilting.

hey Jenn, how is it coming? Were you able to get all of the supplies that you need? If not let us know. Also, if you need me to print up raffle tickets or flyers or posters...(or whatever) I will be happy to help in that way. Hope it is going smoothly.....you're a great gal for doing this.

I just couldn't help but post a reply. I think what you are doing is wonderful. I found this site when I was searching for a good pattern to use for a quilt I'm trying to make in memory of my mother. She passed away this last year of brain cancer. She was only 51. She worked in a Dr.'s office and wore scrubs a lot. So I took those and have decided to try and make a quilt out of it. However, I haven't found that "perfect" pattern yet I want to use.

I just wanted to say good luck with your quilt. Almost each cancer (and certain other causes) have a color designated to it. I will include a link to a site that tells you which color represents each cause.
http://www.personalizedcause.com/awareness-ribbons/awareness-ribbons.html

To raise the most money, I encourage you to contact your local tv station or radio station and try to have this act of kindness listed in local events. Also, you might contact a breast cancer organization to help you auction this quilt, or gain names. www.breastcancer.org or even www.cancer.org. That might help. There is a Quilt for A Cure project in place and maybe this can aid to that. http://www.bcrfcure.org/part_grassroots_qfc.html

If anything, I just wanted to say that you are doing a great thing. Even if the quilt goes just for a short amount of money (which it won't) it helps the survivors and families of victims feel better knowing that they aren't the only ones facing this. In a way, it gives them a legacy.

Good Luck.

May I suggest a wall hanging for your quilt? Scrubs are a thinner material and I'm afraid they won't last long if the quilt is actually used and washed quite a bit. But,I could be wrong.

What part of Florida are you from? My husband and I are leaving next Friday to go down to Ft. Myers, Fl. to help people rebuild from the hurricanes. We will be down there for a week.

I have been in contact with the ACS about the quilt and things have been put into place that will allow me to raffle the quilt off at a number of relays that are in my area. Thanks for the great links tho! Let me know when you've found a pattern for your quilt!!

Hi,
I can see I need this website, as I am not all that computer or gardening literate. This message is regarding the Breast Cancer Quilt.

I am walking for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Washington, DC in April/May and one of my fundraisers is a Breast Cancer Quilt. The situation is that as I was looking for links to add to a website that I am creating, I came across a quilt design that is a little similar (although much, much nicer and professionally drawn) to what I am planning to do. Mine has blocks designed to memorialize or appreciate survivors, but it has a pink ribbon in the middle.

I wanted to 1) let you know; 2)see what the protocol is for mentioning that your design came first (give you credit); 3) add it as a link if you don't mind.

I am going to contact Breast Cancer Quilt societies and have it be in a traveling display for Breast Cancer Awareness, and keep a dedicated website.

I took quilting classes years ago, and am doing the quilt as a healing activity, as 5 of my friends have been diagnosed with different types of cancer this past year or so, and I have been in a terrible state about it.

My intention is to learn and connect without adding distress to the world. Thanks for your time and attention.

I live in Fort Walton. We were hit pretty good by Hurricane Ivan and are still doing repair. What a year!

Thanks for the advice about the scrubs and quilt. I plan on making it a hanging quilt. I would want it to last as long as possible. I hope you have a safe trip. Your help is greatly appreciated and needed here. Thanks.

OMGAWD JEN.... what a beautiful idea!!!!

Sue,

I will add the name to the list. The production of this quilt has come to a sudden stop seeing as I can't really move around too much and I need to be standing to cut out the fabric. I'm hoping that this week, I am better and will be able to stand long enough to cut more pieces out.

Jenn, you are a sweetheart!!!! Thank you hon.

Now, please, just take good care of YOU!!

I WILL DO THIS ... HOPE YOU WILL TOO.

Please read the following story all the way to the end! Thank You .

Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We dispensed ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of sympathy and hugs. As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that for some kids, mine might be the only one they got all day.

One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl's scraped knee. Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in her thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her pull it on. "Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my lap and snuggled up against me.

It wasn't long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under my arm. Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen of my lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my diagnosis. The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word cancer seemed so frightening.


When it became evident that the children were going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from me or possibly a garbled version from someone else, I decided to tell them myself. It wasn't easy to get the words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I explained it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a chance to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be their letters, pictures and prayers.

I stood by the gym door as the children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of line and threw herself into my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don't be afraid, Dr. Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you'll be back because now it's our turn to take care of you."

No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that they had written. A video of every class in the school singing get-well songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the third visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring next. It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You."

Even when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall of my room.

Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. "I feel like I've stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this room," my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the students and teachers. What healing comfort I found in being surrounded by these tokens of their caring.

At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don't want a skinny bald principal? What if . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the bend. "Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I looked were pink ribbons - ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs, even up in the trees. The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too.

My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You're back, Dr. Perry, you're back!" she called. "See, I told you we'd take care of you!"

As I hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box playing . . . "I will always love you."

Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet


We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be wonderful if 2005 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!!

This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As you may be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the Cure" stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland. It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and Friends.

Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 cents The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A "normal" book costs $7.40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold the lottery this week. What a statement it would make that we care.

I urge you to do two things TODAY:

1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps.

2. E-mail your friends to do the same. .

Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned upside-down by breast cancer.


It takes so little to do so much in this drive.

I care and I know you all do too.

LOVE YA'S!!

Sue Z

Please add KATHERINE FRANZ to your quilt if possible she is a survivor.

okie doke

I don't know if you're still taking names, but my great-aunt, Florence Boissonault, is a survivor. What you are doing is so wonderful! God bless you!

Is this survivors only?

My mother died in 99 - of cancer and old age, of course.

She was Lilian Hainsworth, aged 81. Died October 9th, 1999.

No, this quilt is not for survivors only. I will take the names of anyone who has had breast cancer.

I also have another cancer quilt in the planning stages. It will be for all types of cancers. I'm asking for the names of the people and for the types of cancers for that one.

what a brilliant thing you are doing. How many names do you have now ? I read all through the thread - very heartwarming!

Umm....**getting out 'the book'**...211. Tell your friends about the quilt. I need ALOT more names.

I keep thinking that its kind of a blessing that I've only gotten this many names so far because the next 600 some names are coming harder.

Hi Jenn,
pcgrav here... I have been trying to send you a PM but I keep getting an error message. If you got multiples --my apologies-- if you didn't get anything at all please post and let me know so I might try again. Thanx

I thought it curious that I just spent quite some time on this thread and then skipped over to my e-mail and found the following e-mail from a friend of mine... I thought this might be an appropriate place to post it. I hope everyone will copy and paste it and forward it to all they know to help spread the word...Its a little long but I thought it might be worthy of some time-- It reads as follows:

Please forward to all of the women in your lives. Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, etc.
In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. A lady developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing.

Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After two rounds and it continued to get worse, her doctor sent her for another mammogram, and this time it showed a mass.

A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then mastectomy; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation.

After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health. One year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo.

She had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After just a few days of needing morphine she slipped away saying she had done what God had sent her into the world to do and now it was her time to go.

PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal.

Her message is shown below:

Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureola. It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that.

Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak.


They seemed a little concerned. Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureola. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms include:

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn. (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureola area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is affected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately.

Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread.

TO ALL READERS: This is sad as women are not aware of Paget's disease. Please, if you can, take a moment to forward this message to as many people as possible, especially to your family and friends. It only takes a moment, yet the results could save a life.

Hi pcgrav...I did get the PM...thank you for the name.

UPDATE ON THE QUILT...

I currently have 216 names and need some 700 more. I have pretty much tried every way to get the word out about the quilt. I have written to the newspaper and local news networks, but have had no interest in the quilt. It looks like word of mouth is the only way to get information on the quilt out.

I am planning on starting to work on the quilt again starting in the next couple of weeks. It all depends on how my dr. appt goes on Monday. They will be talking with me about getting skin grafting done on my leg...although it will take along of persuasion for me to get it done. I DO NOT want the procedure to be done.

I will keep you all posted.

Hi Jenn
What a brilliant idea?
I have 4 names for you, probably have more in the next couple of weeks.
Winnie Carney
Marion Walsh
Dora Telford
Madge Howell

Thanks Lisax

This is fabulous. I like the idea of it moving on and being raffled again and again. It would be a wonderful message carrier.

Update us on the Dr.s appt., Jenn and may God continue to bless you and the work you do on the quilts.

Hi Trish

Thank you for sharing that story with us.

Hi Sue...

The dr. went fine. I'm allowed to do everything that I used to do now. There is occassional pain, but that is to be expected. There is still swelling in my leg....mostly in my lower leg (it just looks like I'm retaining water) because my lympatic system is still working on fixing my upper leg. I can expect swelling for another few months.

I won't start working on the quilt until at least next week. Things have just been too busy here for me to get anything accomplished. This coming weekend is the Relay for Life that I'm in. I leave on Friday morning for it and get back on Sunday evening. Root for me, ok? I'll take pictures for everyone to see.

Jenn...You KNOW we're rooting for you!