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Round Up! this month to support breast cancer awareness month

When someone receives a breast cancer diagnosis, life can get scary. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime; each year, it’s estimated that over 252,710 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed. In 2017, the Canadian Cancer Society estimated that 26,300 were diagnosed. That’s a little more than 279,000 women diagnosed per year in the U.S. and Canada.

But there is always hope. With support from our family members, communities, medical professionals and pure resilience, the fight continues – just ask the millions of breast cancer survivors in the U.S. and Canada today.

Impacting our family

Our Thirty-One family has been impacted by breast cancer both in the field and at the Home Office. Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing the stories of Consultants and employees who have seen the face of breast cancer to provide hope as either someone who is currently in the battle, a survivor, caregiver or supportive friend.

“It is such a personal journey and yet affects not only the person with cancer but also their loved ones,” says Consultant Jennifer Steenhof from Ontario. “Rallying around those with cancer is so important. It can be so lonely even when surrounded by family and friends. After going through my treatment, I didn’t want it to be for nothing, so I try to reach out to those going through it – especially young women with children.”

A little over a year after her after her mother passed away from breast cancer, Director Kelly Lewis from Virginia was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer. Electing for a double mastectomy, Kelly was fortunate to not have to undergo radiation or chemotherapy.

Kelly says without the support of her friends and family, her experience would have been much different.

“The visits (with ice cream), calls and cards made every day just a little bit brighter,” she says. “I knew I wasn’t alone... I had cancer. Cancer never had me.”

Gives Round Up!

This October, Thirty-One Gifts will mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S. and Canada by matching all Gives Round Up! donations made by Customers up to $31,000. The funds raised through Gives’ Round Up! will be designated to three programs that bring hope, strength and support to women, families and communities affected by breast cancer.

U.S. donations will support The Breast Cancer Charities of America and Pink Heals. In Canada, donations will support Wellspring.

Pink Heals

Throughout the country, Pink Heals works with public safety, local businesses and families to unite communities. The Pink Heals National Tour volunteers drive around the country with pink fire trucks and police cars, and deliver the Pink Heals Program to communities. During these visits, Pink Heals chapters work to provide people with donated goods, gift cards and services.

“The Pink Heals Tour is about our community, our family, our neighbors, and our leaders and how it will help bring us back together to focus on one another,” says founder Dave Graybill.

The Breast Cancer Charities of America

Focusing on prevention, resources, education and survivors, The Breast Cancer Charities of America works to eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening illness. Through their education programs, Help Now Fund, Feeling Beautiful Again project and medical missions, they work with women and families in order to provide support and hope.

The Feeling Beautiful Again project provides women going through breast cancer with a beauty care package including makeup, lotion, nail polish, socks and information. These bags are distributed to hospitals, cancer care facilities and even support groups. Individuals are also welcome to host their own beauty drives or donate new or unopened beauty products, which can then be assembled by the team at the Breast Cancer Charities of America to be distributed across the nation.

Wellspring

Founded in 1992, Wellspring provides emotional, psychological, social, spiritual and informational support at no cost for individuals and families living with cancer. They offer more than 40 programs and services that touch on everything from coping skills to financial management.

According to its website, “as the leading network of cancer support centers in Canada, Wellspring is a sanctuary of understanding where cancer patients, at any stage in their cancer journey, as well as their family members and caregivers, are welcome to participate in programming that will help them move forward with renewed strength, confidence and hope.”

Want to show your support? Here’s how!
  1. Chemo Kits: Grab some essentials for a patient going through chemotherapy! Get some lip balm, lotions, cozy socks, throw blanket and any other little goodies that could bring a smile to someone’s face. The All-In Organizer or Essential Storage Tote is perfect to pack it all together and can be useful to take all their items to and from chemo appointments. You can even host a party to help collect items and assemble care kits together.
  2. Add an Icon-It or sport your favourite pink bag: Ordering your favourite Thirty-One product? Add a pink ribbon to any product that allows for personalization to show your support. You can even add a monogram or phrase to make it even more personal!
  3. Treat a caretaker: The doctors and nurses involved in a cancer treatment have a big impact on their patients’ lives and experiences. Honour them with some goodies and a gift from Thirty-One! Grab a Crossbody Thermal Tote, Organizing Shoulder Bag or All Packed Duffle and personalize them with a stethoscope or Gives Heart Icon-It. Make it even more special by adding their name or monogram!