Hearing the words “we did find some cancerous cells” is a gut-punch moment that changes everything.

As both of us (Amy and Cheri) can attest, those first few weeks after a breast cancer diagnosis are a whirlwind of appointments, questions, fears and tears. “I was 37,” Amy said. “I remember thinking, ‘this can’t be real — I have cancer?’ But it was and I did, and one month later I was undergoing a double mastectomy.”

Thankfully, there are some really incredible resources in East Tennessee that offer support to those newly diagnosed. One of the foremost organizations in the region is Breast Connect, Inc., which quickly became a source of information, support, and friendships.

When Cheri was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer less than a year later, Breast Connect matched Cheri with a Sister Survivor and once again served as a wonderful resource and community.

“Because of what we’ve both been through, Breast Cancer Awareness Month carries a lot of meaning for us and is one of the ways we give back to the community,” Cheri said. “We hope our story helps raise awareness, encourages women to get their annual screenings, and offers hope that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t define us.”

We invite you to join us in supporting breast cancer survivors in our region by shopping with us this Saturday as we hold a fundraiser event for Breast Connect.

Here’s how you can participate this Saturday, October 8th:

• We are donating 20% of all sales and 100% of tips to Breast Connect – just show up between 10 am and 6 pm to shop and we’ll donate on your behalf!
• Leave a cash donation for Breast Connect in the donation receptacle in our shop
• Participate in a silent auction for a few items, including a gift basket, a vintage ceramic cheese keeper and more
• Bring in your gently used vases that can be donated to Random Acts of Flowers, which, in partnership with Breast Connect, delivers bouquets of flowers to breast cancer patients recovering from surgery

We can’t wait to raise funds for this wonderful organization and we can’t wait to see you on Saturday!

If you can’t make it this Saturday, we will be accepting cash donations and vases this week, October 4 – 8.