Saturday, March 31, 2012

Magic when you need it most!

There are times I must admit that I wonder if we did the right thing in starting the Tough Warrior Princess non-profit organization. Some days it seems daunting. The auction items for our May silent auction fundraiser are coming in much slower this year, as are donations and it gets stressful.  We want to pull off the best fundraising event possible. It's the Type A personality in me and in a lot of our committed teammates. I am realizing more and more that there just is not time to fit it all in and be able to do everything you want to do.

We had a TWP board meeting this week and our worries were dicussed. After the board meeting, I felt better, as we accomplished a lot. One of the topics were that we didn't know how we would get a cake donated for our event this year. Another topic was wondering if we were going to get the grant we had applied for to start doing survivor baskets. Another worry that I had this week is my own fundraising for my Komen walk.

We have always said the there is something called TWP magic. It often happens when we are all together, but there are so many serendipitous events that have led us to where we are it is almost a magical journey. Well, in true style and just when we needed the boost, TWP magic struck again!!! The morning after our TWP board meeting, we get a new membership form submitted on our website -- it is a woman who had been to our event last year and was wanting to be able to help. Guess what she offered?!.... To donate a cake for our event!!! 

Today, we received word that we got the grant from the Institution for Savings!!! Our very first grant!!! This grant will be used to make Survivor Gift Baskets. These baskets will contain various items one needs when going through a cancer dianosis and treatment. We want to really show our support for women with a cancer diagnosis and help her through it. The basket will be the first symbol of our commitment and caring.

Then, I was contacted by my very favorite people -- Kelsey and her mom. Kelsey is the young girl who, for the last 2 years, has held her birthday party and asks that her gifts be in the form of donations to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure to help support my walk! They let me know that once again, Kelsey has chosen to do yet another birthday party without gifts for her, but gifts that she hope will help others. Kelsey's personal story is one of strength, determination, power and love like I have never seen. I have written about her in my past blogs. Her story is more than magic.

Another exciting thing on the horizon is the connection we have made with a company called The b Positive Project. I ran into the company when running in a 5k last year and bought a great tshirt with their logo.  Their message.. b Inspired b Motivated b Positive. The purchase of this TShirt helped fund the charity that had sponsored this particular 5k. b Positive, in their line of business, helps charities succeed and espouses a fantastic message. We are now in talks with them to get a line of clothing with our Princess on the front, but also the b Positive logo! Sales of these shirts will further help fund our cause and help us get word out about The Tough Warrior Princesses.   (If you go to their website and buy anything, please use TWP code so 20% of proceeds come back to us!)

So, wrapping up the week, my attitude has shifted back to that of power and hope. I am back to being inspired, motivated and positive!! That is where my attitude belongs.
Please, please mark your calendars for May 19th. Our 3rd Annual Dance Like a Princess Silent Auction will be held at the Holy Family Parish Hall in Amesbury. Tickets can be purchased online at www.toughwarriorprincess.com.

Thank you all for your support!!

Blessings!

Patty

Thursday, March 1, 2012

.....IT IS THE STUFF THAT MATTERS MOST!

After being diagnosed in 2008 and having my treatment plan after my initial surgery, which found more cancer, completely blow up into more surgery and more treatment, I got really scared.  We made the plans for my next surgery, which would be a double mastectomy with reconstruction.... I was beyond frightened but resolved in what the next steps had to be.  I looked at my young children and realized before the next round of surgery we needed to get away.   Surgery was planned and the trip was planned.  We took the kids to Disney and had the time of our lives.  I truly enjoyed that vacation and it helped put my mind in the right place. 

I just returned from a trip to Florida with my family - not Disney this time, but just a warm, sunny relaxing trip with my beautiful family.  It was our first trip - other than skiing - since that time.  It put me back in the same space in a lot of aspects and helped me to appreciate the small stuff -- which is not really the small stuff .... It is the stuff that matters most.

Please remember in your daily lives, what if tomorrow it were all to change?  What would you cherish about today?  I cherish YOU - my friends and my family.

Please take a moment to hit this link to my friend and teammate, Sherri's blog.  Sherri eloquently explains why we continue to support Komen and outlines why we are working to grow THE TOUGH WARRIOR PRINCESS organization.  Our mission is to help women fighting any type of cancer.  Cancer is cancer.  Doesn't matter the origination - WE NEED A CURE.... NOW!

Sherri's Blog:  http://sherris3day.blogspot.com/

Without Sherri, there would be no Tough Warrior Princesses!  For those of you that don't know Sherri, she is also a survivor.  She is my age and went through her diagnoses and treatment just before me.  I remember being so scared for her then. Watching her and her family of 3 young children cope with it all.    Then, when it happened to me, she became my source and my family's sources for understanding, comfort and simple friendship.  We have been through so much together and together will  MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

Blessings!

Patty