Fundraising and Fun

Life has been busy for us in the Z household.  Both boys are doing very well at school, getting used to seventh and ninth grade, and enjoying their sports.  Living with a tween and teen has certainly opened our eyes to the new challenges of parenting (oh boy do I miss the younger years!)

I have definitely found some extra time to myself now it is no longer cool to hang out with mummy.  I have very mixed feelings about this, but I am happy to say that I am putting my time to good use.  I have been doing a lot more fundraising of late and we have made great strides with our two featured charities; Light The Night and CureSearch.

September has come and gone, the traditional month of Childhood Cancer and Blood Cancer Awareness.  Many gold bracelets were sold for CureSearch, and I was careful to add a mix of support charms and charms such as the butterfly which symbolizes support but can be worn on any occasion.  In fact, these gold bracelets have become popular with many customers who do not have links to childhood cancer.  They just love the way the bracelet looks.  The donation is a bonus!

Click on the photos to shop for these designs.

In October, we walked with Light The Night as always.  We actually raised over $2000 to help those fighting leukemia and other blood cancers.  We enjoyed a lovely walk in Connecticut this time, along with close friends and family.  We all said a little 'thank you' for the survivor walking with us.

Fundraising: The Salisbury Bracelets

Last week I sat in a meeting with my grade level teaching partners, planning the curriculum and focussing on learning when, out of the blue, one ask me to make a bracelet for a silent auction at a Salisbury Seagulls fundraiser.  The charity was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...how could I say no?  But...the event was in two days so I had to get moving.

I'm good at working to a deadline so I headed to my supply shop and found the perfect quartzite beads in the school colors, maroon and gold.  I even found alphabet beads and a charm that would look delightful.  I stocked up an set about creating a nice design.  Wanting to give options, I made three prototypes.  My friend could pick which one and I would make three or four; one for the auction and a couple for her and her family.

My friend, Karen, literally squealed with delight at the sight of the three bracelets and announced that all three were perfect and can I have five more ready for Friday?  It was Thursday, I had no more supplies, and I had a baseball game and swimming to attend with my kids.  BUT...it was for the LLS so I said yes.

Life After Leukemia - A Little Scare

When people talk about finding a cure for cancer, it has many meanings.  My son is not technically cured...he has to be five years clear of treatment before he is declared "much less likely to relapse".  This means every time he gets sick, I have to calmly check in and make sure it is just a 'normal' sickness.

Most times I don't overthink things.  I don't always run to the doctor.  I watch and wait for a series of symptoms to emerge.  If they do, off to to docs we go.  Today was one of those days.  My mommy gut was telling me to stay calm, but the nagging voice in my head was a little louder too.  This got louder as the nurse, having taken the history, asked if we minded waiting until our regular doctor made it in because of all the strange things going on....WHAT?   Um...yes, we WILL wait (and panic a bit).

I must have flashed back the full two and a half years of hospitalizations, radiation and surgeries in the twenty extra minutes we waited.    I remained calm and my son was oblivious...but I was a mess inside.  You see my son's cancer does not yet have a real cure, and he can relapse at any time.  I know that.  He fears it but does not know the facts fully.

The final result was a diagnosis of Fifth's Disease.  I was so happy, I almost hugged the doctor.  The office was being cautious and I appreciate that.  But we need to find that CURE!

To make a donation to my son's Light The Night fundraising page for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society please visit: http://pages.lightthenight.org/wch/Wstchstr14/KZweig

To purchase handmade jewelry in support of cancer warriors ($2 of every sale goes to my son's fundraiser) please visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterflyWarriors

A Beautiful Gift for My Etsy Store

Creative DIY

They say good can come from bad situations and I am a walking reference for proof of this.  Despite having some very major issues with the health of both of my sons: my eldest tried to emerge into this world at only 24 weeks gestation and, after a very difficult bed rest, was delivered by emergency C-section and rushed of to the NICU for breathing complications; the very same child developed bacterial meningitis at the age of 4; and my younger son…well he wanted to trump big brother so he fought leukemia…(yes, they still argue about who had it worse!!!)

Yet I am an exceedingly lucky mom.  Both my sons are healthy now and I have experienced so much generosity, kindness and caring from such a diverse group of people, even people who have never met any of this crazy family, and it truly humbles me. 

One such person is Etsy shop owner, Regina Gold.  I have never met Regina, nor had I visited her shop, Gold Puff before.  Yet, after me posting on the discussion forum asking for design advice, she sent me a beautiful logo made especially for Butterfly Warriors.  She told me that my son’s story had touched her and she wanted to donate her talents.  Regina’s shop is not a design shop.  She is not promoting anything for sale.  She is just an incredibly creative person who did something so good. 

I even had the nerve to get picky about the color of the ribbon!  Yep, I am that person (sometimes). But the reason is because I never want my mission to be forgotten.  I notice I am becoming more involved in other illnesses.  I am painfully aware of the horrors of autoimmune diseases: my mom has Lupus, ME and Fibromyalgia.  I have ME. But I still try to focus most on raising cancer awareness.  Also, my donations from each sale go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so it makes sense to be clear about the main focus. 

So Regina was a superstar and gave me an orange ribbon.   I have to say, I love having such a beautiful logo for my Etsy Store, but it is so much more meaningful because it came from the heart.  Someone took the time to show love for all the warriors, and that is not lost on me one bit.  So here it is, the new logo for ButterflyWarriors on Etsy.  Perhaps Regina has a new calling and should open a shop selling them…I would be a customer if I had not already been gifted such a treasure. 

Gypsies Crafts & Treats: Featured Etsy Shop: Butterfly Warriors

So many people are getting behind my mission: to raise awareness and fight cancer.  When Team Superman Sammy walks at the Light The Night event each November, we have a sea of orange shirts in support of my little hero.  We raise thousands of dollars.  We remind people how important it is to be cancer aware and to help find a CURE.  That is why I continue to create handmade jewelry...it is a therapeutic, creative and soul satisfying venture that happens to be another avenue to fundraise.

Imagine my sheer joy when a fellow blogger and fantastic crafter asked me if she could feature Butterfly Warriors on her blog.  I am honored and grateful that she wanted to promote my cause and, most importantly, raise cancer awareness.

Please hop on over to Gypsies Crafts and Treats to read more.  Don't forget to check out some of the amazing crafts and treats on the blog too....I got a little giddy of the St. Patrick's day cupcakes :)  Just click on the picture below and happy reading!

Starting Out...Again!

The Family 

Here I am folks!  Yes, I am starting a new blog...right from scratch...brand new...again!  No, I'm not going to ditch this one, it is my passion.  Let me explain why.

My first venture into the world of blogging started a month into my son's treatment for leukemia way back in 2009.  The last thing on my mind was gaining an audience, making friends, sharing my wisdom.  Instead I was desperately trying to make sense of the worst situation of my life while having a place to let my close friends and family know what was going on.  The blog evolved into a therapy session for me...and shared a LOT about my beautiful son and his amazing brother.  It served its purpose and helped to keep me sane...my son is now a happy, healthy nine year old.  He has moved on from the world of cancer, pain and death.  Yes, he knew he could die...some of his friends passed away.

So now I am one of the lucky parents who continue to hug her children to sleep.  But the amazing fact I can do that is not lost on me.  While my family and friends move beyond our battle (as they should), I want to ensure this fight comes to an end for everyone.  Especially children.

I now create jewelry to help fundraise for cancer research.  Money raised thorough sales goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  My son has a team that gets together once a year to Walk for the Cure.  I will be posting the team webpage as soon as it is active for the 2014 walk.  Everyone is welcome to join the team, even if you cannot walk on the night :)

I try to vary my creations so that I meet the needs of a wide range of customers.  I also try to hit a variety of price points too.  All the items are made with love...real love for real heroes.

So enough of this...check in on the About the Butterfly tab at the top of the page to find out more about my passion and the VERY good cause I fight for.

Katy xx