Behind the Button

20 things people with cancer want you to know.

I found Lori Hope on the CarePages website (a beautiful resource for those battling disease like cancer). Lori has written a very interesting book that looks like it would be a big help to friends and family who are trying to find the "right thing" to say, the "best way" to help a loved one battling a disease. Take a look at Lori's website (order her book) and here a book synopsis from the author,

When we hear that someone close to us has been diagnosed with cancer, we want nothing more than to comfort them with words of hope, support, and love. But sometimes we don't know what to say or do, and don't feel comfortable asking. With sensitive insights, thoughtful anecdotes, and sometimes, gentle humor, Help Me Live provides a personal yet thoroughly researched account of words and actions that are most helpful.

Based on the author's own experiences with cancer, and interviews and surveys with scores of others, including communications and health care professionals and caregivers, each chapter tells intimate stories about one of the 20 most important messages people with cancer want to convey, such as "I need to forget-and laugh," "Asking my permission can spare me pain," "I want you to understand if I don't call you back or see you," and "I want compassion, not pity; comfort, not advice." You'll learn that communicating effectively doesn't necessarily mean there's a "right thing" to say or do, but that you can achieve the desired result: to make those who are ill feel better. In candid and beautifully detailed prose, Help Me Live will help you find the words or gestures to show how much you care...

LIVESTRONG Challenge Fundraising Tip | Buttons of Hope

Well maybe not exactly from lance himself ...but....I am proud and honored to play a small part in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's series of LIVESTRONG Challenge events. Starting June 29 in Portland on the Nike campus, on to San Jose July 13, then Philly August 24 (my birthday BTW) culminating in the LIVESTRONG capital of the world Austin Texas on October 25 -26 ~ thousands of friends, family, neighbors and survivors will make a statement of defiance about cancer ~ a pledge to LIVESTRONG.

Buttons of Hope will be there, will you?

click here to read the newsletter

If you're signed up for a LIVESTRONG Challenge ~ Godspeed and if not then check out the LIVESTRONG Challenge website here -- you can do this. Or as Lance might say

.......JUST DO IT!

Race for the Cure | St. Louis ~ Picture tells the story!

photo courtesy wildchild76

66,764 people in St. Louis last year... ASTOUNDING!

Thanks to everyone at UmdF

Thanks to all my new friends at the United mitochondrial disease Foundation** for this nice mention!

[it's not a typo, I don't think diseases deserve capitalization ~ do you?]

"I’m not going anywhere until my children graduate from high school.”

That was Cherie Heiberg's answer to cancer. Any words from me would pale compared to her daughter Kellie's beautiful words about her Button of Mom.

My Mother by Kellie Allen

"Last summer I participated in a bike ride to raise money for cancer that was called “24 hours of Booty”.  During that ride I wore a button with my Mother’s picture, and the words “In loving memory of the best Mom ever”.  It was a tremendous feeling knowing she was with me in spirit during the ride as she has been for the last 29 years since her passing. 

My Mother died of cancer at the age of 50 when I was only 19 years old. Diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 38 she had a tremendous amount of strength throughout her illness. She still had two young children to raise so as you can imagine it was a tremendous challenge for her and my Father to continue to maintain a normal household.

There is one story of many I would like to share that shows how strong her will was and how amazing people are who suffer with this horrible disease.  At the age of 42 after being in remission for four years the cancer reappeared and she spent several months in the hospital.  Thing were not looking good and the Doctors told my Mother and Father they needed to get her affairs in order.  Well, my Mother being the strong person she was looked at my Father and said, “Bud…..I’m not going anywhere until my children graduate from high school”.  At that time I was the youngest at 12, and she did in fact recover and lived until after my freshman year in college.  She continued to battle the disease until she passed but there was no way she was going to miss her children growing up.   

The “button of hope” that I wore during that ride was a great inspiration for me and I will continue to wear it proudly in these types of events and of course on Mother's Day.  I would encourage whoever has been through what I have to think about this as you participate in bike rides, walks, runs or any endeavor you do in honor of your Mother."

Kellie, is a friend of mine and I remember vividly the day I delivered those buttons to her -- her reaction? let's just say it's not just about the button!

ps. I make a lot of buttons and with each one I feel like in a way I know the person -- looking at this button and her smile ~ I have no doubt that "I'm not going anywhere....is exactly what Kellie's Mom would say! Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there..and up there.

March for Babies is a PheMOMenon

Phenomenon is an apt word for the March of Dimes' March for Babies ~ Holly takes a bit of liberty [rightly] with the spelling to highlight the other unsung heroes of premature birth ~ the MOMs! Don't get me wrong these beautiful babies are more courageous than anyone their tiny bodies fighting a HUGE battle for survival ~ but it's also the Moms [and dads] who sit vigil and fight right along side the littlest of heroes every tenuous minute of the day and night.

You can [and should] read the Hanks Family story(s) all about Cole and Aidan -- but most of all consider walking in or donating to a March for Babies near you ~ with walks in over 1000 towns and cities ~ there is sure to be one near you! Or if you are touched by the Hanks story you can donate to them The Little Wonders Team ~ you will be helping ensure that all babies and families share the promise of a healthy start!

Lastly if this is your first visit to Behind the Button ~ Welcome! I hope you will take a few minutes to look around and to check out my many Buttons of Hope projects and the people we have touched ~ we make custom photo buttons to wear in honor of your loved one, a friend or a baby [and yes we make a lot one onsees]! Show everyone not only why but WHO you're walking for! Together we can make a difference one button at a time ~ and NO MORE SCRIBBLING!

It's easy to upload a photo and make your own custom button here ~  no minimums and $1 from each button is donated to March of Dimes!