Gifts of Hope

November 19, 1:56 PMIndianapolis Human Interests ExaminerLynette Bishop Snell

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Breast Cancer Awareness Notecards by Haz for Hope

In March 2005, Amy was in the midst of a personal, emotional battle. Sitting in her attorney’s office filing for divorce, she received a phone call from her doctor with the horrifying words, “You have cancer.”  During the next 18 weeks, Amy endured unimaginable stress, still living with her soon to be ex-husband, caring for her two small children (then aged 1 and 3), and suffering through chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Her financial situation deteriorated, and she found herself literally without much to hold onto, much less hope for.

It was during this period of intense trial that Amy was inspired to do something positive, not only for herself but also for others.   She chose to find a purpose through the heartache, and utilizing her years of fashion and graphic design, she created these cards. 

With her creativity and love of textured papers, she designed a set of cards, each with a unique ribbon signifying awareness of breast cancer.  Since 2005, she has expanded her line to include awareness cards for lung, ovarian, colon, and pancreatic cancers, as well as leukemia, melanoma and Aids awareness. 

Her inspiration did not stop there, for she realized others need hope, too, not just those fighting disease.  She now has memorial cards, survivor cards, and cards to support our troops. 

Amy's designs are now being considered by the Indianapolis chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation as a potential gift for Race for the Cure participants.  For those teams who raise a certain amount of money, a gift will be awarded to them.  Amy's hopes are high that her notecards will be chosen for this honor.  

And in keeping with her desire to give back a bit of what she has gained from her experiences, Amy donates 10% of all proceeds from the sale of these cards to various breast-cancer foundations and cure research funds.  

Almost four years later, Amy says that at the end of a particularly difficult day, making the cards is therapy for her.  It relaxes her and gives her…hope.