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| Friday, October 26, 2012 |
Many of my colleagues and friends helped me in so many ways. Thanks to my colleagues, we had plenty of food and they helped with decorating, setting up and clean up.
And much to my surprise, many women from different divisions within our company showed up with breakfast treats the morning of the event. From the kindness of their hearts, these women showed up with goods without being asked to help. That made my heart feel really good. What a blessing! Although our company has many different divisions, I was reminded on Friday that we really are one company and one family, who demonstrate one love for a good cause.
One company, one family, one love!!! That's rich!
This year, I encouraged donations to the American Cancer Society and I'm happy to report that we raised $710 across multiple divisions! This is in addition to the approx $700 I raised two weeks ago when I participated in a 5k walk through the American Cancer Society.
This is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart as I'm a breast cancer survivor. This fall I celebrate 3 years being cancer free, no small thing. I can't begin to express in words how thankful and grateful and blessed I am to be cancer-free. As a survivor, I feel like I have a responsibility to do something to help create awareness and to raise money to fight this nefarious beast.
Hosting this event is one of the many things I do each year now to make a difference.
The purpose of these events at the office is to equip women with information related to breast cancer and to shine a light on the importance of self-breast examinations and mammograms. Both helped me discover my breast cancer in the very early stages and that's what saved my life. Everyone walked away with a pink bracelet (my gift to my colleagues) and a pink ribbon lapel pin (compliments of the American Cancer Society) to shine a light on breast cancer awareness and to encourage them to get involved in the cause.
I made some new friends that day and learned about and heard many stories about how breast cancer impacted their lives because breast cancer happened to their mother or sister, an aunt or a friend. Some survived, others didn't. As listened to their stories, I learned that one colleague lost her mother to breast cancer when she was only 13 and I think that's the story that gets me the most. I can't imagine ...
Many people, including men wore pink on Friday and that made my heart smile every time I saw someone in pink. The support and love I felt and the hugs I received and gave that day made my cup overflow with gratitude. I work with a terrific bunch of people and Friday's event reminded me that people are always willing to get involved and to help make a difference. I'm really thankful for their support and their generous donations.
Below you'll find some photos that were taken that day. It was a great day, one that I won't forget because it was filled with goodness, connectedness and I made some new friends through out the day.
If you're among the many who helped that day, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! I can't describe how grateful I am for your love and support. I couldn't have done this without you!!!
And a special thank you as well to Jennifer Briggs, Regional Health Health Director at the American Cancer Society for sending me the pamphlets and the pink ribbon lapel pins.
Oh! And congratulations to all eleven (11) raffle prize winners. Raffle prizes consisted of gift cards to restaurants: Jameson's Charhouse, Wildfire, and Bravo. Winners also won Muvico movie theatre tickets in groups of two.
We made a difference on Friday and for that, I'm thankful.
Enjoy the pics ...
Until next time, keep thinking pink!
xx, Ruthie
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
