Monthly Grant

November: I Have Wings Breast Cancer Foundation

November grant speaker Janet Chambers will be at all Masses on November 1 & 2 to share her organization, I Have Wings Breast Cancer Foundation.  Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer on her 40th birthday in 1999.  In response to her own cancer journey, she founded I Have Wings in 2002 in an effort to provide emotional and physical support to other women during their challenging time.  The mission of Janet’s Foundation is simple – the 3 E’s: Emotionally inspire, Encourage by acting as an advocate, and Educate women on the facts, risks, and prevention of breast cancer. WINGS is an acronym for With Inspiration No-one Goes Solo.

Our grant donation to I Have Wings will fund “emergency packages” for individuals and/or families who, because of a breast cancer diagnosis, cannot afford to provide basic provisions necessary to have quality of life while fighting the disease. The packages will include: a prosthetic wig, groceries, clothes, prosthetic bra or lymphodemia compression sleeve, and help with utility expenses.

Outreach Projects

1. One of our projects will involve cleaning out your jewelry chest.  Here is your opportunity to say goodbye to that costume jewelry that you no longer wear.  Place the jewelry in a zip-lock bag and bring to the Gathering Space on Nov.8 & 9 or to the parish office during the week.  Donated jewelry will be cleaned, repaired if needed, and turned into 100% profit at next year’s I Have Wings Spring Bling event on April 25, where it will be displayed and available for a donation.

2. You also can offer a service specific to your talent or abilities.
Some ideas: free haircut to a women beginning chemotherapy if you are a hairstylist, driving a woman to a doctor’s appointment or round of chemotherapy, grocery shopping, light house cleaning, cooking a meal, carpooling kids.
A “Call on Me” volunteer sheet will be available in The Gathering Space until Nov.9. Simply sign your name, contact information and the service you are willing to provide to a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. Or you may e-mail Janet and let her know what service you can provide. When a need arises in our area, and the cancer patient is open to receiving your service, Janet will contact you directly.

To learn more about I Have Wings or if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are in need of assistance or support visit www.ihavewings.org.