Tie-Dye Mask Profits for Lifespan Cancer Research Institute
My dad lost his battle to Melanoma 2 weeks ago and in the midst of all the pain I feel, the hurt, the unbelievable, unimaginable heartbreak, my mind has been circulating all of these thoughts and questions along the lines of, “what can I do so that no one else has to suffer through the most common form of cancer ever again?” The steps that we can all take together is to support cancer research. My cousin’s dear friend hand sewed 25 white masks for me to tie-dye and I think this is the best opportunity for me to begin my support for melanoma awareness and support. Each mask is $15 and 100% of the profits will be donated to the Lifespan Cancer Institute Research Department at RI hospital in my dad’s name, where he was treated throughout his challenging 13 month battle.
I’d like to input some of my two cents when it comes to mask wearing. This comes from the words I spoke at my father’s funeral.
I feel so grateful to even be able to honor my dad with a proper service during this unimaginable time our world is facing. I know there are people that are still properly social distancing and diligently remembering the importance of mask wearing, but I encourage those that may have become weary of it all to please comply. I would not be my father’s daughter if I didn’t say this. My dad was hospitalized for a week at Newport Hospital last month for his gallbladder and then a week at Rhode Island Hospital for his heart during his battle with melanoma. We could not see my dad. My mom had to say goodbye to my dad and kiss him mask to mask, not knowing if that was going to be the last time she ever saw him again. She describes the drive home alone as “the worst car ride of her life” as she was not able to enter the hospital with him to be by his side. The pain we all felt was absolutely indescribable and just simply unfair. When my dad passed, we could not hug or cry in the arms of a lot of our loved ones that offered their condolences because of this pandemic. If we comply with mask wearing, social distancing and choosing to make memories at home with small groups we can together prevent this disease from prolonging more than anticipated and allow families of cancer patients like my dad to properly hug, kiss, and exist with them up until their last days.
Thank you for all of your love, support, and sincere condolences throughout this time. Although, my platform consists of design content, lifestyle content and good, light-hearted fun I’m finding that it is of the utmost value to me to use this platform to produce good. To produce awareness. I’m promising myself to continue to advocate for melanoma awareness and to reiterate the importance of protecting ourselves from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
To purchase a tie-dye mask please complete the order form below. If you wish to make an additional donation to the Lifespan Cancer Institute Research Department, please click below.
TIE - DYE MASK ORDER FORM
Masks will be not be dyed custom to color preference. All masks are final sale, non-medical grade and will be shipped or delivered free of a freight charge.
