At Carpe Diem Designs, we offer a variety of unique T-shirts and gift items featuring original designs, such as unique cancer awareness, anti-smoking and inspirational graphics.
All net profit from purchases of the anti-smoking and cancer awareness design merchandise will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
During my freshman year, my Papa Dick was diagnosed with cancer (brain tumors, secondary). In November, he passed away. Shortly before Papa Dick passed, my Papa Ron (on my dad's side) was diagnosed with Renal Cell Kidney cancer, not a very promising diagnosis. And not long after that, Grandma Barbara (Papa Ron's wife), was diagnosed with lung cancer.
This summer, the summer before my senior year, cancer took my Papa Ron. Not long after, I was faced with the last opportunity to tell my Grandma Barbara goodbye before the cancer took her away too.But, out of all of the horror, came an opportunity for me to find a passion and make a difference. Having lost three, incredibly important forces in my life to cancer brought me to the American Cancer Society. I started participating in Relay for Life, eventually joining the committee and serving as the Survivorship Chair. Now, I am our Relay Chair.
It seems as if everywhere I turn, I find someone going through what our family was forced to experience. And now I can provide them support and point them to the American Cancer Society.
If asked why I relay, my answer is simple: I relay so that, maybe, no one ever has to go through what my family went through. I relay in hope that there isn't another soul on earth that has to experience the emotional and physical hardship that my grandparents did. I relay in their memory, but I relay for the future and for those who, just maybe, will not have to run the same course as they did.
In an effort to raise money year-round (as opposed to just asking for donations during Relay season), I have opened a store here at Cafepress. All net proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. By displaying the merchandise, or wearing the clothing, you will be helping to spread the message.
In just the last couple of years, gigantic strides have been made in cancer prevention and treatment. I fully believe that, together, we can fight it.
You can contact me at: dream.believe.achieve@gmail.com
