Several years ago, I received an email from a woman who was very afraid. She’d just had her first child- a baby girl – and she’d also just learned that she had breast cancer. She was heading in for her first round of chemo the next day. She asked me to hold space for her.
The next day I asked all of you to do an act of kindness for her. We called it Mindy Monday. Mindy told me that as she received her chemo, she watched our list of acts grow and grow, and that we made her feel loved and brave. After much treatment and warrior-dom, Mindy went into remission. We celebrated.
Mindy and I became friends. Mindy was BRIGHT. Not just smart, bright – LIGHT, BRIGHT. Brilliant, really. She was a pediatrician. She healed children. She was a mama to Lana and a wife to Jordan and a chemosabe to Megan and a best friend to everyone else she met. Mindy and I wrote to each other often. We wrote about illness and healing and pain and parenthood and friendship and marriage and God and how all these things were so completely impossible and miraculous. We talked about how life felt like hell and heaven with not much in between.
When I got very sick with Lyme, Mindy sent me this. Then Mindy got sick again. Really, really sick. They told us it was just a matter of time, now.
Mindy had emergency surgery. During the surgery, they removed part of her brain. After that, our emails to each other were very different. Hers were short. One sentence, maybe. She was worried about her brain. She asked me to write back to her each day so that she could practice thinking and writing.
One day Mindy’s emails stopped coming.
I crawled into bed and stayed there for two days. My body was in deep, heavy pain. I told my family it was my Lyme. I knew it wasn’t my Lyme. For two days I didn’t shower or really eat, I just laid there wondering what on Earth was happening to my body while knowing exactly what was happening to my body. On the third morning I woke up and I didn’t hurt anymore. Everything felt light again. I got out of bed and I opened up my computer and a message told me that Mindy had died. But I already knew that.
Lana’s mama is gone.
When I get to heaven, God and I are both going to have equal amounts of explaining to do.
I still feel Mindy. Today’s Love Flash Mob is for five families, but all of it is in honor of our Mindy.
For Mindy’s Lana.
First, we will raise a small fund for Lana. Lana won’t get to be raised by her mama. Thank God, she is being raised by an incredible father named Jordan and a beautiful village made up of Mindy’s friends and family. Lana will KNOW – through them – how incredible her mama was. But the fact remains that Lana didn’t get to be MOTHERED by Mindy for long enough. Mindy didn’t get to hold Lana’s hand and walk Lana into her LIFE. So we are going to step in and offer our hands.
One day – when Lana is old enough – Jordan will hand Lana a box. Inside that box will be a letter from me. The letter will explain that her mother, Mindy, was such an incredible woman that one day in May, hundreds of thousands of women from all over the world came together and gave of themselves to create a Lana fund. When Lana opens that box, when she reads the letter and holds the check – she will understand both as gifts from her mother. Lana will understand that this box is her mother- walking her from her childhood into her adulthood. Holding her hand. Blessing her. THROUGH US. That is what is going to happen for Lana.
HERE IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR MINDY: Mindy spent her life healing people. She healed them as a doctor with her big brain and she healed them with the love she so freely offered from her big heart. Even when she got sick – especially after she got sick – she kept on healing others. In Mindy’s honor, we are going to step into the lives of the following four women. Each of the women you are about to meet is an Angel to her family and community. Each is also a Warrior fighting a battle against cancer. And so we are going to step in and show these Angel Warriors that their lives are worth our time and our money and our love. We are going to SHOW UP FOR THEM TODAY because they show up for the world.
You guys, Mindy would like you to meet Tara.
Tara is the 41-year old mother of Liam and Quinn. When Tara was 30 weeks pregnant with Quinn, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She is fighting. Every single day she is fighting so that she can stay here and keep mothering, keep healing, keep sistering, keeping living.
We are not going to offer Tara “charity” today. No – we are going to INVEST IN HER LIFE. We are going to raise money to pay her mortgage and to send Liam to preschool.
Tara: you are not alone. You are worthy of every ounce of love that comes your way today. Fight On. You have an army of warrior sisters beside you. All the love you offer those boys and the world comes back to you today. Catch it, sister.
Meet Eileen.
Eileen does not raise children in her home- she raises them in her classroom. A woman named Tricia wrote to us about Eileen. Tricia’s son has Asperger syndrome and struggled in school. That’s until the year he walked into Eileen’s classroom. Eileen’s love and skill and determination invited Tricia’s son forward for the first time. Because of Eileen, Tricia’s son became who Tricia’s son was meant to be: bright, happy, confident, full of LIFE. Eileen is an Angel.
Eileen is also a Warrior. She was diagnosed with colon cancer recently. She is 32-years old. Her oncologist gave her two years to live. She said no, thank you to that offer. Eileen found another doctor who believes she can beat the stupid odds. She will need our help to pursue this treatment. We will help her. Eileen helped Tricia’s son and we will help Eileen.
Eileen: at Momastery, we believe that LOVE WINS. You are love, Eileen – so YOU HAVE ALREADY WON.
Meet Amanda.
This is Amanda. These are her three boys and her husband.
Amanda was diagnosed with cervical cancer and after treatment she learned that she fell into the 5% of women who are not expected to recover. Amanda immediately began dedicating her life to raising money for women who cannot afford cancer treatment. Since receiving her diagnosis, Amanda has raised over 40 thousand dollars for other cancer warriors. Yes, you read those sentences right.
Amanda might not have much time left. As her friend reported to us: “she plans to spend the rest of her days showing up for her boys sports and church and lunch dates, enjoying every family moment that God allows her — partly because she recognizes the gifts she has been given in this life and partly because she simply does not want to be forgotten. She has decided to keep showing up for as long as her body will warrior on.”
Amanda’s friend told us that the beach is Amanda’s “happy place.” We are going to send Amanda and her precious boys and her warrior husband to the beach with whatever accommodations Amanda needs. We will make sure that very soon, very, very soon, Amanda is sitting with her toes in the sand – watching her boys splash in the ocean while holding her husband’s hand. That’s what needs to happen.
And our Last Warrior.
I cannot tell you the names or offer you any pictures of our last family. Mama is very sick. She is fighting for custody of her baby boy, whose father is calling her cancer reason enough to remove her son from her home. For legal and privacy reasons, that is all we can tell you. But we know every detail. And we know this Angel Warrior is worthy of your love. Come alongside her. She will feel it. She needs to feel that the world has not abandoned her and instead is sending mighty forces to her aid. Those forces are YOU. You are being Sent.
I’ll leave you with a few words from Jordan, Mindy’s husband. Lana’s father:
“The story of my wife — how bright she shined and how fiercely she loved — is too detailed and spectacular to post here fully. So what I will say is Mindy loved Momastery. She loved this place because she loved people, and she recognized in Glennon someone who loved as fiercely as she. I know she would be proud to be memorialized here, and I know this community offered her hope and courage and love during hard times. Thank you for that.”- Jordan
HERE IS WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO:
1. DONATE. You can make your tax-deductible donation by clicking on the “Angels & Warriors GIVE” button below.
2. SHARE. PLEASE SHARE THIS POST. We have danced NO FLASH MOB BEFORE with a HIGHER GOAL and FEWER PEOPLE DANCING. Because of some changes to Facebook, fewer and fewer people are seeing Momastery posts which didn’t seem too horrible till Love Flash Mob time. THIS IS WHY I AM FREAKING OUT ABOUT THIS ONE. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Usually we ask you to DONATE. This time we ask you to DONATE AND SHARE. Please, please share today’s post with your people. Share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the other ones I don’t know about. Mass e-mail your friends, call your parents, stand in your yard and read the essays loudly- whatever it takes. We need all the whos in whoville – the tall and the small.
3. DEDICATE. Every single one of us knows an Angel Warrior who was healed here or in the next world. If you’d like to donate in honor of someone you love, please leave his or her name in the comments here or on Facebook. Thousands will be reading and praying.
Okay. Let’s Do This. Go. Take YOUR COMPASSION AND LET IT GUIDE YOU. GO. Donate. Do not read this and FEEL but not act. Pity is feeling without acting. COMPASSION IS FEELING AND ACTING. ACT. Small acts with Great Love. That’s how this gets done. That is how Love Wins. We each have to MAKE LOVE WIN. On Earth as it is in Heaven.
LOVE FLASH MOB RULES:
- We can’t do great things. We can only do small things with great love. And so NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO DONATE MORE THAN $25. EVERY DONATION MATTERS. Click here to see the miracles you have made through prior Love Flash Mobs.
- Because Monkee See- Monkee Do is an official 501(c)3, every penny of your donation is tax deductible.
- Any money we collect beyond what we need for these families will go to Monkee See – Monkee Do as we continue to meet the needs of families throughout the year. Every recipient of your generosity is vetted by our Board.
- Because the members of your Monkee See- Monkee Do Board work for free, WE HAVE NO OVERHEAD. EVERY PENNY YOU DONATE GOES DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES IN NEED.
I love you.
UPDATE AS OF 6:45 PM WED. NIGHT:
You guys. $118,473.50 in 8.5 hours. More than 5,500 donations. Average donation: $20. All five families will get what they needed from us.
So here’s the truth: We live in a world where people believe that We Belong To Each Other. We live in a world where people give away hard earned money to strangers. We live in a world where Love Wins. And we have PROOF. Right here.
I cannot stop crying and I will never, ever forget this day for as long as I live and I love you. I LOVE YOU. Tonight Liz gets to call the five families from today’s essay and tell them that YOU CAME THROUGH for them. She gets to call them and tell them that Help is Coming. Then I will call them tomorrow and eventually they will be like, “really- you guys can stop calling anytime now.”
You guys. THANK YOU. I cannot believe I get to do this life with you. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. HOW DID WE GET SO LUCKY???? TO FALL TOGETHER AND THEN WALK THROUGH LIFE TOGETHER?? TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THIS CRAZY, UNBELIEVABLE, GRACE FILLED CREW?? All the tears. I cannot believe I have any tears LEFT.
I just emailed about the Love Flash Mob results to Amy and she wrote back this: “G, I have no words. Actually, I have one word: Mindy.”
Yes. That’s the word: Mindy. Thanks for your help today, Min.
Yours Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever-
G and Sister and Allison and Amy and Liz
The love that you pour out in these Love Flash Mobs continues year-round through the life-giving work of Monkee See – Monkee Do. Because MSMD is run by an all-volunteer Board, we have no overhead so all of your donations go directly to families. If you would like to to the MSMD general fund that supports families throughout the year, you may do so by clicking the button below. Your gifts help us sprinkle more of your radical, wild love all over other warrior families. As always, we will tell you ALL ABOUT IT. Because, of course, you ARE it. We can do hard things, Monkees. Together, We Can Do Hard Things. We DID hard things.
** Due to IRS Rules, because MSMD is an official 501(c)3 (tax-exempt non-profit), the MSMD Board is obligated to retain discretion over which beneficiaries will receive the funds raised today. For example, if something happened to one of these families that meant the family was no longer an appropriate beneficiary, the Board would use those funds for beneficiaries that meet the charitable purposes of the organization. Since MSMD’s inception, we have never used funds for a purpose other than the purpose identified when the funds were raised. **
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365 Comments
Donating for Rev. Erica Trantham of Unity in Chicago, and for Mary Lee Riley. I could not do the NOCC walk for you this year but I can do this!
Beautiful. Donated in memory of too many family members lost to cancer, including my dad, who was always the first to give to someone in need. Prayers, love and strength to these families, and to my cousin battling stage 4 colon cancer now…
My donation is in honor of my warrior big sister who majorly kicked breast cancer’s butt.
Tara, you beautiful creature. What are you doing here? So shocked and sad to see what you are up against. But I know you. I know you have it in you to kick cancer’s ass. Much love and kisses for your boys, Ann Price
I really believe I was meant to stumble upon this. I donated in honor of my beloved cousin, Monica, who underwent surgery today because of issues related to her neuroendocrine tumors. She is awesome and tough and kicks butt every day. I am in awe of her and all like her.
For Barbara.
To all the mothers out there fighting their fight, I donated for you.
I donate for one of my best friends, battling inoperable brain cancer, already 20 months past the timeline the doctors gave her. I love you Dx, you’re my hero.
Such a wonderful thing you are doing! I am donating in honor of my bright, courageous, beautiful, amazing sister and best friend, Katy Phillips, who passed away from melanoma cancer 2 years ago at the age of 30.
Donated in honor of my mom who is fighting and winning against breast cancer. She is one of the strongest and bravest warriors I know.
I donate today in honor of my Aunt Valerie who lost her battle to Colon Cancer 7 years ago. She was the true meaning of a warrior! Throughout her battle she was strong, selfless, inspirational, and a loving mother/sister/aunt/friend.
God took her to Heaven far too soon. We all love and miss her dearly and never will forget her smile and her true beauty which radiated from the inside out. Her spirit is carried on through her children and grandchild. You are forever missed and always in our heart.
I didn’t read the rules before donating and donated $28 because 8 is the number of life in Jewish tradition. But my apologies for breaking the rules in my rush to donate.
It’s okay — they won’t send the donation police after you. 🙂 Thank you for donating, and I think the 8 involved is a lovely idea.
Donating in honor of my 28 year old daughter who is battling breast cancer. Please pray for her. A cure needs to be found so that these young parents can live to see their children grow up.
Dedicated to my grandma, who lost her battle to colon cancer 14 years ago, and for Reesa, who was a warrior against breast cancer and fought to stay with her 2 girls for as long as she could.
Just crying and crying over these stories. Donating for my dad, who passed away five years ago from cncr and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him so much. He was my warrior and my BFF. Love everything you do Glennon. And praying for all four of those families. Please get Amanda and her gang on a beach asap!!!!
I donated in memory of my grandfather and great-grandmother, both who passed away from cancer, and my maternal grandfather who had skin cancer throughout his life. I am currently fighting breast cancer, and I am inspired by these women who are fighting their own battle and making a difference in someone else’s life. I especially pray for the woman whose child has been removed from her home, because our children help us get through these tough times, with their laughter and sweet nature.
I donated today in honor of my grandmothers, Catherine and Betty, my grandfather, Jack, my second mother, Netta, and my father-in-law, Don, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting. Some overcame cancer, but it left its mark in other ways.
Thanks to my friend Dawn for sharing this inspirational and worthy cause.
Donated today in the memory of all of the friends and family of friends and friends of friends we love dearly who are survivors, who have been lost, or who are fighting today.
I donated today for little Emma. She is 15 months and fighting brain cancer. She is such an angel and a fierce fighter just like her momma, one of my closest friends. This is also for all of those who have to watch their little ones fight this awful disease.
What a great and caring thing to do for all these families!! I am donating in memory of my mom who passed away at age the young age of 52.
Hi Glennon,
I just donated in honor of my Mom, my Father in Law and my Sister in Law, all of whom I’ve lost to cancer. What you’re doing here is amazing anf I’m proud to be a dmall part of it.
Julie
I donated today because I was fortunate enough to know my genetic predisposition to cancer and to do something about it so, god-willing, I can walk my babies into life. Others aren’t as lucky. I recognize it and am grateful every day for the knowledge I was given.
We donated in memory of our daughter, Kara Anne Lang, who died 12/26/09, at the age of 2 1/2 yrs old. She died in her sleep and the diagnosis of exclusion was SUDC, Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood–the lesser known cousin to SIDS (which is used from birth to 12 mos old). We love our sweet girl and miss her dearly every day.
Hi, Glennon. I was telling my mom about this, and as she has been doing the family bookkeeping for the 65 and 3/4 years she and my dad have been married, she was a little concerned that you meant there was actually going to be a check written to Lana sitting in a box for several years. She said that these days, most checks are only good for a certain amount of time, and you wouldn’t want to have any problem with the bank paying it.
You probably have that covered, but I told her I would mention it. 🙂
I love the fact that your mom was worried! She must be as sweet as you. Meredith – please tell her to have no fear. While Glennon will be putting the letter and a “representative” check in the box, the real money is going to be in a trust fund for Lana, collecting interest the whole time till she is ready for it. 🙂 Love!
This is probably my favorite comment on here. Seriously. Priceless and thoughtful 🙂 Thanks for sharing it!!!
I donated in the name of many friends lost to cancer soon.
Thank you for doing this.
(special shout out to Anna Donaldson for bringing this to my attention)
For you, Quinn, our Angel, and for her mama, Eileen, the definition of a Warrior.
My donation is in honor of all the warrior mamas I have met through the Duke Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant program in Durham, NC.
Oh. My. God.
I can’t breathe.
I donated in honor of my mother who taught me the necessity and value of giving to others.
I donated to honor my aunt Margaret McNally who died from pancreatic cancer two years ago. We love and miss you.
Donated in memory of my mother who died from ovarian cancer in January 2013. I think about her and miss her everyday.
because LOVE WINS.
As someone currently battling ovarian cancer and a mom of 2 amazing kids, I am honored to donate to these special women. Cancer sucks and I pray every day for a cure for us all.
Carry on Warriors!
Xoxo
In honor of my mum Kerry who we lost last year to brain cancer and everyone fighting the fight.
For my dad, a lung cancer survivor. And for my best friend’s mother, an angel healed in Heaven, and sister, a warrior here on Earth.
I’ve read your blog and never commented, but now I have to. Thank you so much for this. My sweet mama is in the end of her life after very bravely fighting primary peritoneal cancer and very bravely deciding no longer to fight it and enjoy the days she has left with us. We, her five daughters and three son s in law and husband, live all over the country. Recently, our wonderful circle of friends and family opened their hearts and wallets to give us money to visit mama in Alaska. If was a tremendous gift and I will forever cherish those days with my mama. I’m sending so much love and prayers to these women and their families. Thank you for organizing concrete help and love to these families.
For my dad, Don Gray, who is a survivor. For my best friend’s mother and sister, Alcinda Avila, an angel healed in heaven, Christy Avila, a warrior here on Earth.
I donate in memory of: Judy Johnson, who lost the battle and left a sister lost, for a time; and Chris Longenbaugh, whose example of faith and grace I’ve not forgotten.
Donated in loving memory of my parents…both gone too soon.
I donated today in honor of my dear friend Corina and sister-in-law Trisha also my late sister-in-law who was more a sister to me “Blanca” these lady’s have fought a good fight 2 are survivors and actually Corina just rang the bell yesterday and 1 was defeated sadly to say but won so many hearts in her life time with us and now is an angel watching over us. These are some truely amazing ladies and are true warriors, they have impacted so many lives along the way and have also inspired many people with their valor.
Donated in memory of Mrs Ivancic and Pearly who both lost their brave fights with cancer.
In honor of my Dad who was gone too soon.
I donated in honor of my AMAZING Mom, Bernetta.. she’s a breast cancer survivor.. and in memory of my sister Miranda who was killed in a car accident in 2003.. Glennon, she would have been a helluva Monkee with you! 🙂
I gave today because if you’ve been lucky enough to dodge the bullet and live as long as I have, you learn that:
1- Nobody gets out of here alive.
2- Nobody does it alone.
3- Why wouldn’t I?
So sooo grateful for the opportunity to join hands with you!
For my mom, Sheila, who survived breast cancer and kept mothering right through it.
For my uncles, who are missed every day.
For my husband’s best friend Robert, who we lost too damn early 13 years ago when he had a precious daughter on the way.
I donated today in honor of my grandfather, my step grandmother, and my aunt who have all passed from different forms of cancer. May we soon find a cure!
This is stunning. Thank you so much. My best mate Rob was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, aged 30ish and had two years of treatment before being cleared… for a year… and then just recently they discovered that it has come back and are not too confident of a long term diagnosis so really going through a hard time and so hard being in a different country [at least til August] for most of that time…
thank you for doing this and everyone who responded
Strength and love – what an amazing legacy
love brett fish
I donated in honor and in memory of my mom, Alice Ketchum, who warriored on with cancer for 19 years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 when I was 11, did a year of chemo, and was cancer free for 8 years, but then it came back. Thankfully she lived long enough to meet her first granddaughter, my Leah, but we lost my mama on January 4, 2004. Thank you for this opportunity to help other warrior-sisters. CANCER SUCKS!!!! But God is bigger than cancer and so are we!!!
In loving memory of my warrior grandmother who always believed in me. Not a day goes by without my wishing you were still here to see and love on my boys! Sometimes when my little one smiles I can see your face. Everyday I walk on pink ribbons in your honor (thanks Nike!) Thank you for showing me how to love and fight with everything you have! I love and miss you dearly!
And in honor of every woman who has fought/is fighting cancer. Your strength is truly an inspiration! You are brave beautiful women!
I’m giving in memory of my grandmother, who died of colon cancer. I loved her desperately and I miss her every day. I couldn’t do much to ease her pain or fight her battle, but I want to do what I can for these terribly brave warriors.
I make this donation to honor my dad who has been a prostate cancer survivor for 20 years, my father in law who lost his battle against lung cancer and for myself. I am a breast cancer survivor.
I am donating in honor of my son, who is approaching 3 yr. in remission. This is a beautiful thing you are doing.
I donated today in celebration of my mom and myself, both cancer survivors. I love the idea of a love flash mob. Lots of people doing a little something adds up to a HUGE thing. Thanks for all you do Glennon. Ever since I found you on FB, you have been inspiring me daily. <3
Donating in honor of my cousin who is bravely battling stage 4 breast cancer.
Help! Can’t donate -UK “zipcodes” don’t work in the system.
Suggestions pls?
I donated in honor of my mom! Thru all of her health battles she was a warrior. I love you and miss you so much!
Donating for my friend Lucy who is the Warrior for her family as their 4 year old son battles brain cancer. And for Super Cal, who is 4 years old & stronger than anyone could have imagined. Such an amazing & inspirational family in how they’re loving each other through this battle.
Stay strong Super Cal, you’re going to kick cancer’s butt!
In memory of my warrior mother, Sheila who lost her battle with cancer 2 1/2 years ago. (And my husband would like everyone to know that technically he was the one who donated since my credit card was hacked yesterday. Thanks, Matt!)
Donating in memory of my friend Rachel who is fighting breast cancer.
We’re still paying bills from my fight recent fight with colon cancer but I’ve definitely got $25 to send. I hope the money helps but more importantly, I want it to give these women and their families comfort, hope, and peace. I want them to know that there’s a community of people out here who care and who’re willing to show it.
I don’t know what life will bring but I do know that if we surround each other with love and caring, it’s a life well-lived.
In memory of my mother-in-law Judy, a Warrior who fought so hard against cancer for over ten years and who leaves behind a devoted husband, 8 wonderful children and their spouses, and 7 gorgeous grandsons that prove love always wins.
Donated in honor of “Red” and her warrior friend, Nadji, who would probably think that a flash mob includes flashing somebody and like it all the more.
I am donating today in remembrance of my friend Melissa who battled leukemia two times successfully and then finally passed away due to a random melonoma. Throughout these battles, she was the fiercest warrior I knew. Her heart was so big that she could make me dinner when her own blood attacked her. I love her so much and want to tell her that one day I will visit her two children who I never met and tell them how boss their mom was when she was young. She could rock “My Sharona” like no one else and she thought the lyrics to Flashdance were not “TAKE YOUR PASSION AND MAKE IT HAPPEN” but rather “TAKE YOUR PANTS DOWN…” and well you know… Melissa, I’m going to just take the real version of the Flashdance lyrics and “TAKE YOUR PASSION” and spread it on. I love you!!!!!!!
Donating for my children, whose relationship needs healing.
The love here — it can be seen and felt, though most of us have never met these Angels–these Angels who face the Scary with strength, determination, encouragement, and (perhaps more essential than anything) knowledge that they are not alone. Alone is frightening. It’s beyond frightening. It’s the Monster in the Closet that we’d feared as children, with a heightened sense of certainty that that the Monster is just waiting for us to fall asleep so it came out and do its Scary Monster Things. But yet, here we are. We survived the Monsters.
When we go through a serious ailment or life problem, we often assume that we are the only ones who can fully understand it because we’re the ones going through it. And that we’re Alone in our issue/ailment, because we’re the One going through it. This Flash Mob project proves that we are never alone. Ever.
Vicki Barton left this earth too soon due to cervical cancer! She left her 3 children behind(2 graduated from high school and her baby still in high school). They have grown up to be magnificent adults and I know she looks down everyday and smiles at the amazing people they are! Too many people are affected by the AWFUL disease cancer!
Donating in honor of my daughter, Ricki. She had robotic surgery for kidney cancer last January and is doing fine. The same summer she had to have some other major surgery at the same time that you were speaking in Harrisonburg. She is such a fan of Momastery and wanted to come so badly, so I wrote to you and you signed a book for her. Prayers that the people we are helping now get good reports from their doctors as she did…..and please continue to hold her in your prayers.
I join hands with you today Marilyn also donating for Ricki and in memory of my Dad. It feels so good to give and be fortunate enough to contribute to such a worthy organization
My beloved mother died of pancreatic cancer. This is in honor of her – she who would have donated every single mob. Who taught me to love with abandon.
I donate first in honor of a mother, Chris Teppler, who died suddenly and far too soon, leaving behind a beautiful four-year-old who was my preschool student, and a sweet, school-aged son. It’s been many years, but I still hold this family in my heart.
my donation is for my mama–survivor and warrior. (also, she is a world-class grandmother and saves my butt on the regular.)
In honor of Missy.
I am donating today to honor Lily and Elida, my grandmothers. They were amazing women who battled cancer and so many other challenges in life. They taught me that strength, courage and compassion are gifts not to be taken for granted. I am so very thankful to be a Monkee.
I have donated in honor of Karen Salisbury.
Given in honor of Paul, who left us almost 20 years ago, and Rhonda, who is fighting the good fight now. Love, healing, and peace to us all.
I donated in honor of my friend Mindy Green who was an encouragement and inspiration to everyone who met her. For my Dad who beat prostate cancer, my Grandfather who passed away from prostate cancer, my cousin who had breast cancer and the too many people in my life who have had cancer or do have cancer now.
Donated in honor of my mother. Parkinson’s disease has robbed her of the ability to walk, talk, eat, smile and laugh, yet you can still see her vibrant spirit behind her beautiful green eyes. I hope to be half the mama to my kids as she’s been to me.
I donated in honor of Susan Stuckey who became an angel this year. She didn’t have kids of her own, but she had about 600 kids at the school where she was Principal. She was an amazing woman who is missed every day.
Donated today in memory of my mother, Judi, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 (when I was 18 months, and my siblings were 8 and 10 years old). She was a warrior who carried on for the next 44 years, despite many other physical ailments over the years. She got up and got dressed every single day and never let her aches and pains and physical handicaps stop her from mothering us until the very end (nearly two years ago) when she died of heart failure. This flash mob reminds me of how blessed we were that she survived despite the odds, and also gives hope that these families may have the opportunity to share the same good fortune. Also, in honor of my amazing friend, Randi Rentz, a bc survivor, writer and advocate, and amazing warrior teacher for autistic kids.
Julie,
Thanks a million for your kind words! I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends…including you!!
xo
Randi
My dear friend Karen died a few nights ago from colon cancer. She fought hard and lived six years to make memories with her wonderful husband, Larry, and two fantastic children, Macey and Matthew. Karen was a true warrior and an inspiration in how she lived her life. She was loving, generous, and supportive of all. I made this donation in her honor and tomorrow during her funeral mass, will say a prayer for all those fighting the battle. Thank you for helping the families in this LFM. You are a great person.
I am donating today in memory of Derek Corner who passed last week after battling cancer. In a short 43 years, he touched many lives.. especially those of my daughter, son in law and grandson. ♥
I donated in honor of my own mother who was diagnosed with brain and possible lung cancer for the 4TH (!!!) time today. She has been through so much and I’m hoping w treatment she will pull through again.
I’m donating today in honor of myself! I kicked two types of cancer in the last year, lymphoma and thyroid cancer. I beat it because of love. <3
I donated today in honor of my father-in-law, who passed away far too early from lung cancer. He left us 4 days after my older daughter was born. He knew she was here and that she has red hair just like him, but will never really get to know her or her sister, and they will never be able to know and learn from him. And I donated in honor of Jack, a little boy we used to see every day in the hallway of my daughter’s preschool, who passed away at age 3 from brain cancer. And in honor of my coworker, who is fighting breast cancer with absolutely amazing toughness and grace. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to give something to these families.
Donated in memory of #StephensStory. Stephen died this morning. He was 19 but in his too short life he was a positive inspiration for so many and raised over 3 million pounds for Teenage Cancer Trust UK!
I donated today in honor of Marzena Holly, a dear who lost her battle with metastatic melanoma last year. Marzena’s career was dedicated to working with young adults and teens with mental illness.
If one were to choose a literary character to represent Marzena, it would be Aragorn (or Strider) from the Lord of the Rings. Three words frequently used to describe Aragorn fit Marzena perfectly – warrior, pathfinder and healer.
Marzena was a fierce warrior in the battle against mental illness, an ever-present guide in helping her clients find their way on their recovery journey and a wonderfully caring healer, sharing her gifts with all who could benefit.
Fierce, inquisitive, independent, practical, bold and, at times, stubborn, that was Marzena. Stubborn in her demands of her clients and stubborn in her conviction that they would recover and live healthy and joyful lives.
There is a scene in the movie where Aragorn and the fellowship of the rings are at the Black Gate and the vast and frightening forces of the evil Sauron are marching towards them. Aragorn rides before his forces and shouts to them:
“A day may come, when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship. An hour of wolves, and shattered shields, when the Age of men comes crashing down. But it is not this day, this day, we fight!”-
Those are Marzena’s continuing words to her clients, their loved ones, her friends and colleagues, and all who battle mental illness or cancer: “This Day, We Fight.”
I donated in honor of my best friend, Chantale, a 2 time breast cancer survivor! Also, for Katrina, who was like a daughter to me. She passed away at 15 from cancer.
Donated today in honor of my mother. A mom of 3 who passed on at the young age of 49. What a wonderful thing you are doing for these families. So proud to be a part of it!
This April the world lost Alejandra, 1st grade teacher and mother to baby Diego; Kris, high school teacher and husband to Katie and father to Mira and newborn (10 days before he died) Kiran; and Ceide, public service attorney and wife to Kim and mother to preschooler Felix. There are so many other families I know who have lost a parent to cancer. It makes my heart hurt to think of the spouses parenting alone and the children who will hear how deeply loved they are, but miss the presence of that parent in their lives. My prayers are with all of these warriors and all others who face this battle.
My beloved Grandma died of cancer. My donation is in her memory. I hope it will go to Lana, be uase she is the future to carry on the light her mother gave her.
My sister shared this link with me today to inspire us both to make a small difference. After reading the post I was in tears. My sister, husband and I all lost friends to cancer last year. My donation is in honor of our courageous, beautiful warrior friends, Mary Holm, Michael Hyde and Zaldy.
I gave in honor of Jenny Dowen, who lost her baby daughter, Allie, to leukemia 10 years ago. And rather than crawling into a hole and disappearing, as no one would blame her for doing, she started Heroes For Children, which raises money and provides support for families who have a child fighting cancer.
My donation is for Jenny, for Allie, and for every family they have helped.
Donating today in honor of my dad, who passed in September from mesothelioma, cancer he got from working a job so many years to provide for his family, in an industry that for a long time did not protect its employees from asbestos.
He left before he got to meet his youngest granddaughter, who I now hold in my arms.
And I needed this post, this story, to remind me to push harder to enjoy my time with my kids. I have several autoimmune disorders that cause so much debilitating pain, and which have flared badly since giving birth. I spend a lot of time feeling hopeless…but there is hope. This reminded me to cherish my time.
I gave in honor of Lara MacGregor, living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer –and her non-profit organization, Hope Scarves (www.hopescarves.org). And in honor of the inspiration who is Glennon, letting her little light shine every day.
For Allen, who we lost, and Dana who misses her guiding light. For my grandfather, gone too soon. For my uncle and myself, who healed.
I saw this on Facebook today and it works here: “God uses rescued people to rescue people.”
Amen.
In memory of my mom, Barbara Ryan, and my aunt, Colleen Eagle, both of whom died of cancer. At the end of it all, only love matters. Only love.
I am donating in honor of my Mother, Elaine, who died 34 years ago from ovarian cancer…at the age of 52. I miss you every day, Mom.
I’m sorry, I think I put my comment in the wrong place.
I am donating in honor of my dear and respected friend, Ed, who has battled cancer for a decade and is soon to be released from his valiant struggle. My parents have both battled more than one form of cancer and both won their battles, but not everyone has that outcome.
I donated in honor of my aunt who died far too early from liver cancer. She barely had a year from diagnosis to when she passed. Her only concerns in her final days was making sure her son and husband would be taken care of. I know she is in heaven cheering on these warriors in their battle.
I donated because my mother and grandmother are colon cancer survivors. And to support the love that you invite us to share. Love this blog. Thank you for you.
Donating for Lourdes and Jeanne, my two best friends that had to watch their babies go through cancer. They are Warriors. Their kids are survivors and they showed me how fight.
I donated today in honor of Trudy and Tzaddia, fierce warrior sisters, who are healed now beyond the veil. They were both amazing women who had a far-reaching positive impact on their family and friends as well as the community they so lovingly served. I was blessed to walk with them for a little while and I miss them every day.