September is a special month for our family. It is childhood cancer awareness month, blood cancer awareness month, and holds the anniversary of Geralyn's daughter's last day of treatment for leukemia. Brianne's cancer diagnosis at age 15 changed her life and our family forever, as any cancer diagnosis does. So a few months ago, we resolved to do something that would both help the childhood cancer community and give customers a special piece.
On September 1, 2020 we began selling our gold cancer awareness ribbon pendants and donating all proceeds to Okizu, a nonprofit that provides peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreation for families affected by childhood cancer. This effort has become even more important since the Bear Fire ripped through Berry Creek and greatly damaged the summer camp for children with cancer and their families.
Brianne was diagnosed in May 2006, and while enduring chemotherapy in September 2006 she was able to attend a week of Oncology Camp at Okizu's beautiful, 500 acre facility in Berry Creek California. That week kickstarted her healing and gave her the confidence and camaraderie she needed to make it through two and a half years of chemotherapy and radiation combined with the usual high school troubles. All the children and families who have been touched by Okizu have similar stories of cancer, pain, progress, and healing. Not every child with a diagnosis survives, but every family member can get the support and respite they need from Okizu, free of charge
It has been devastating for our family to see the photos and videos of what has become of a place with such happy, healing memories. The Okizu family is vast and spans all types of borders, but we are all heartbroken. Camp Okizu has been scarred, but the memories remain and we will all come together to rebuild this amazing place.
Okizu needs our help, so we're continuing our efforts to sell these pendants to help this wonderful organization. This is a great way to donate a large chunk of money to Okizu and also get something beautiful to honor your own experience with cancer or honor someone else's. Gift yourself a pendant and donate to Okizu using the button below, or click here to donate through Brianne's online fundraiser.
