Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Pep Rally: Relay for Life Cabarrus 2010

Last Thursday, Renda and I attended the Spring Pep Rally for the Cabarrus Relay for Life 2010. The Big Game - Relay for Life vs. Cancer - will be held Saturday, May 15th, 11am to Sunday, May 16th, 11am at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center. This year's theme is Relay University - "Go! Fight! Win! in 2010!"

In 2009, Cabarrus County raised $133,000 for the American Cancer Society. The goal for 2010 is $150,000! Another goal for 2010's Relay is to have 1,500 cancer survivors walk the Survivor lap (the first lap of the relay). Can you imagine 1,500 survivors in purple survivor shirts walking that special lap together? (goosebumps)

At the Pep rally, Kim Beecham, the co-chair for the 2010 Cabarrus Relay for Life, told her story of being a 3 year cancer survivor and having her mom as her caregiver. Renda and I were touched by her story and we wanted to share it with you. On August 31, 2006, Kim was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of 25. She said her faith, family, and friends are what got her through the battle.

She mentioned her aunt that called her everyday from the day of diagnosis until the day she was "cancer-free." Even if her aunt only spoke to a nurse, she'd take note of the tests, diagnoses, and how Kim felt each day. She kept a diary of her day-to-day struggles and progresses. Kim has this diary of her battle with cancer, which is something that she can refer back to and see how strong she was. Kim said during her story, "Every day was a victory."

Kim pepped up the room full of team captains and members by her words. "Walk so that we can celebrate more birthdays." Her mother also spoke of participating in three years of UNCC Relays for Life. She said, "I thank God everytime I see her walk that survivor lap." (goosebumps and tears)

We want to thank Kim and her mother for sharing details of their battle with cancer. It's awesome to meet people who are as passionate as we are about fundraising to help research.

Rita from the Charlotte office of the American Cancer Society also joined us at the Pep Rally. She asked who in the room had referred cancer patients and their families to the American Cancer Society before. Only a few people in the room agreed that they had referred anyone to ACS in the past.

Rita proceeded to inform us of the numerous services and support that ACS can offer cancer patients, such as caregivers, survivor network, patient health insurance assistance, road to recovery, and many more! (I personally had no idea about all this! I just thought ACS was based around cancer research. Little did I know?!)

Road to Recovery is a transportation system where volunteers can help patients get to and from treatments and doctors' appointments. Many patients don't have family and friends locally for support, therefore, no transportation. ACS needs more Road to Recovery drivers. If you know of any church groups, retirees, etc. that might be interested, contact Rita at 1-800-ACS-2345. They also offer caregiver workshops for anyone who is interested as well.

I have to say after the pep rally, we're pumped. We've got some great ideas for fundraisers. We have high hopes for our campsite at Relay this year. We can't wait!

If you're interested in joining our Relay team, go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/focusedonacure and click Join our Team! The more the merrier!

-Jessica

Friday, January 22, 2010

Brow Lounge - LKN

You may remember Jennifer Cox from our Cancun wedding in 2008. She has recently opened a new division of Brow Lounge in Cornelius, NC. Brow Lounge is a studio that offers professional esthetic services such as waxing, tinting, eyelash extensions.


Brow Lounge uses only the finest waxes, tints, and moisturizers. They strive to find natural, organic products so you can feel good on the inside and look fabulous on the outside.



In addition to the services they offer, Brow Lounge has put a lot and time and research into perfecting brow kits for cancer patients who have lost their eyebrows after chemotherapy. These kits can also be used for people that have brow hair, but it just doesn't show up enough. The kit includes a stencil to match the arch of your natural brow and a color powder that best matches your hair tone. It leaves you with a very natural and defined look, in comparison to brow pencils.



The kit is very easy to use and is patented to the Brow Lounge, so you can only purchase them from their locations at this time. We have a kit at our studio. If you're in the area and want to stop by, we'd be happy to show you how it works.



But if you have time, it's worth the trip to see the new location. They also have a boutique that has some FABULOUS items. There's jewelry, clothes, purses, scarfs, hats, everything. You won't leave empty handed... or we didn't anyways.



Brow Lounge will be hosting their Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, March 13th from 10am to 6pm. They will be offering services that day and also scheduling future services. Jennifer has volunteered to donate 50% of any purchases and services from that day and future services booked to Focused on a Cure!! Please stop by and help us raise $$ for a great cause! We hope to see you there!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Miche Bags

Sherry Carawan and Kathy Waters are volunteering their time to help plan and fundraise for Focused on a Cure in 2010. At our first planning meeting on Monday evening, Kathy mentioned the two of them selling Miche Bags and what a great company Miche is. They're very involved in giving back to charities, so this sparked our interest.

Take a look at this recent article about the new "Hope" Miche shell for their bags.

SOUTH JORDAN -- The Miche Bag company of South Jordan has unveiled its newest handbag design. That, in and of itself, isn't unusual in a company that sells 40 different designs. But the new design, called "Hope," has a specific purpose: to generate large amounts of money for cancer research.

It's a growing trend by businesses worldwide, connecting their brand with an important cause. Miche Bag unveiled its new handbag at its annual distributor conference in Salt Lake City Friday.

Jennie Platt, who designed the new product, said, "Our goal -- and hopefully it's something that we far exceed -- but our goal right now is to donate at least a million dollars to cancer research."

The money raised by distributors in the United States and in about 14 other countries will go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Since 2007, Miche has designed and sold the popular "interchangeable" handbag. Outer shells fit over the main purse compartment, attached by magnets, allowing the user to change the designs at will. This new one has a specific purpose.

"Six months ago, we started coming up with the idea that it was time for Miche Bag to give back," Platt said. "We've been so successful and blessed, and we really wanted to do something in our community that really gave back."

Since just about everyone is affected by cancer in some way -- either personally, or knows of someone who had had it -- Miche distributors and customers urged the company to focus on generating money for cancer research.

Platt said met with many cancer patients and survivors and asked for some quotes as to their thoughts about dealing with the disease. In bold, black and white letters the new bag design features words and phrases such as "Love," "Fight like a Giant," "No Regrets," and "It's not about living or dying, it's about how I live until I die."

Miche CEO Corbin Church said it's a design that will certainly draw attention.

"When you're standing in the grocery line with that bag, and the person behind you starts reading that, you don't think that they're going to become curious as to what all those quotes are about? Yeah, it's a conversation starter," Church said.

The company hopes that those conversations will ultimately produce millions of dollars worldwide to fight cancer.

Several cancer survivors and doctors from the Huntsman Cancer Institute attended the distributors meeting and shared personal stories. They also expressed their appreciation for what the company is about to take on.
Roxanne, a mother of four and grandmother of 10, has been cancer-free for five years.

"I will be eternally grateful for everything that you do, for the money that you raise and to the causes that it goes to," Roxanne said.
Miche sold its first back in 2007 and now has about 250 distributors around the world.


To take a look at the new "Hope" shell, go to the Miche website. We will actually have a "Hope" Miche bag being raffled off at our future Girls Night Outs. Kathy and Sherry will be there to show you how they work, and show off all the fabulous shell options. Keep an eye on our events for 2010!

Kathy & Sherry can also hold a home show at your house or your work, not only to benefit yourself, but for cancer research. 10% can be donated to your charity or your charity of choice.

I "Hope" that you will find a place in your lives to come together with a group of your friends, neighbors or co-workers and have a Miche Bag Show and help out the search for a cure for cancer. -Kathy Waters