**Edited October 28, 2012 – I have removed the links and contact information in this post as Cherie passed away this weekend. But the story remains…**
(a tale of friendship, hope, determination…and yes, breasts)
Have you ever wondered who your true friends are?
Considered who you could depend on in the ultimate crisis?
Wondered who would have arms outstretched to catch you if the bottom drops out of your world?
I just heard a story that made me really think about friendship, connection, and how sometimes people show you their true hearts.
My cousin Tara is one of five women who have done just that. Faced with the staggering diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in their close friend Cherie Metcalfe in 2009, she and her friends rallied around, banded together and decided to kick cancer’s ass. Together.
The story is heartstopping – the diagnosis came just three days after the birth of Cherie’s son. Are there any moms or dads reading right now? Picture yourself holding your baby in your arms, three days old, and imagine someone breaking that news to you. Tell me it wouldn’t knock you off your feet, steal your breath, your very grip on reality. Then tell me how determined you would be to move mountains to beat it. After exhausting her options here in Canada, Cherie was accepted into a clinical trial in California. The estimated costs of treatment and travel were in the range of $100,000.
Did her girlfriends flinch? Likely. Cry? Perhaps. But then these women took action. Their story of community, fundraising, and true friendship can be read in the guest blog post Tara wrote for the Dave Brosha Photography blog.
Make sure you click through, it’s a beautiful photo essay featuring those angels who are making a difference in this story…with a twist. And it’s as heartwarming as you might expect. Touching, even. I know it touched me. In fact, it moved me to keep looking into their story. Moved me to join the Facebook group they set up in support of Cherie.
And there’s more. If you check out the Facebook group, one of the ways they are raising funds to help Cherie is by selling a cookbook they created, called Minivans, Mammaries and Muffintops.
Here’s the lowdown on the book:
If you read through the comments on the Facebook page, you will see comments praising the book as being “amazing, fabulous, wonderful, really well put together” and my personal favourite “Kind of like a LooneySpoons, only dirtier.”
So now it’s moving me to buy cookbooks. And to write about them, here, providing links to their story, to a story that isn’t over yet. That’s right, it’s still going on, right now. Every day that goes by, every donation, every cookbook they sell, every thought or prayer that goes out into the universe in Cherie’s direction, becomes part of the story. Every person who sends positive vibes, heartfelt prayer or good karma becomes part of the story.
And when I hit publish on this post, when I receive my cookbooks, when I send my very best wishes out to this mama and her friends, I will be part of the story too.
Will you?
Click through the links. Read the amazing guest post called Angels Everywhere my cousin wrote and see some gorgeous photography, and check out the Facebook group. And be part of the story in any way you can…either by being a witness to an amazing group of women doing what women do when they are at their best, by sending your thoughts and prayers their way, by donating funds or Aeroplan points, or by ordering copies of Minivans, Mammaries and Muffintops for yourself and/or others you know.
So there’s the story. Did it move you? Would you like to be part of it?
Thank you so much for reading and being part of just one tiny chapter of this amazing story.
I can’t wait to get my cookbooks!
**Edited October 28, 2012 – I have removed the links and contact information in this post as Cherie passed away this weekend. But the story remains…**
[...] you’ve been here reading a while, you might remember that once I wrote about a group of amazing women who were pulling together to support a close friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. [...]
[...] was originally published on Little Miss Mocha on Feb 27, 2011. With Jen’s permission we’re sharing her post here as well. To help [...]
Thanks Laura! So appreciate the kind words! And the cookbooks are amazing!!!
Hey cousins! How special am I to have two amazing cousins like you and Tara. I’ve sent your blog post to my school staff and posted it on my Facebook page, so I hope some of my friends will follow suit and help support a great cause.
Cheers to good food, healthy meals and a good laugh at the same time. I’m in for a cookbook!
Love your cuz,
Laura
Tara, it was my pleasure, really.
Stories like this do us all good to hear. It helps us remember that we are all capable of outrageously good things, and that any of us can decide to put our energy into these good things rather than negativity. Perspective that we can all use from time to time.
And it gave an opportunity for more good wishes to go out into the universe for Cherie, and more positive vibes from all over the country and beyond.
Love & light…
Jen, you have done such a beautiful job of sharing this wonderful version of a beautiful story. The best part is that I don’t think what we’ve done is so special – okay, it might be a little special, but not unique. I bet there are women all over doing what we’re doing – huddling, cooking, loving and supporting the heck out of the people we love.
So, let us all give ourselves a pat on the back for all that we do!
Thanks for acknowledging women who are truly my angels too!
In universal love and goodness,
Tara
Loukia, thank you, love that!! xo
Wow. Amazing, Jen. I’m totally going to get a cookbook. Thanks for sharing this.
Theresa, thank you so much for your comment. You are so right, and that’s one of the reasons I shared the story. Not only because I think it’s soul-jarring and moving, but also because what came after the diagnosis is so amazing! I think it’s a beautiful example of what we can and should do for each other.
You are all an inspiration. And for all the negativity that distracts us in an average day or life, this is what our hearts were made for.
; )
Hi Jen,
Tara shared your site on FB – I love, love, love how people who don’t even know Cherie are so quick to support!!! So glad your followers get to meet Cherie and her story, she’s one in a million – and for sure the strongest woman I know. I hope anyone who reads your blog realizes that when times get tough, all it takes is a group of women (and men I’m sure!) to sit around a kitchen table and decide to get things done. When you need help, or you see the need for help just do it!! I encourage others to share their stories of hope and friendship!! Cherie and I have been friends for about 18 years and look forward to the next decades and decades of friendship!! Theresa
Lisa, thank you so much for reading! So amazing that you would come read this…you are part of what inspired it!
The post reflects the people in it. ; ) I’m just sharing it everywhere I can.
xo
Jen,
thanks for sharing Cheries story here on your blog. it brought me to tears even though i already know the story well. i hope you love your cookbook! though your cousin was involved in the making so how could you not! she’s just as amazing as you are!..thanks…L
Yukari, sending you big hugs, thank you!
Thank you so much for this post. I am going to check out the FB group now and hope to buy the cookbook! xoxo
Nat, baby, you rock. Yes, I know and the same goes for you. xo
Pam, thanks so much!!
I’ve got chills. Hope Cherie kicks cancer’s ass and kudos to these amazing women. Will def. check out the group and the cookbook. And you know I’d be there for you, right?
Awesome.
I’m buying. Thanks for sharing.
Pam