Have You Been Touched By Cancer?

I know I have. And I'd venture to say that nearly every one of you reading my post today has been too.

I feel confident guessing that just about every one of us who's precious feet still walk this earth probably has lost a loved one to cancer, or watched in silent agony as someone they loved battled, yet survived the ravages of cancer. On a personal level, cancer recently touched my family in the most intimate way.

At the end of March we found out that our brother-in-law Ken (Doug's sister's husband) has Stage IV lung cancer. A thousand miles away, the Hubster and I watch in silent agony as Ken valiantly battles this vicious disease. Being so far away, we feel helpless in so many ways.

But now, thank heavens, there is a way both you and I can help. We are not powerless in the fight against cancer. Thanks to Gina K. Designs and Asela Hopkins, we have been blessed with the opportunity to help. Gina and Asela have teamed up together to release a special stamp set called Flowers for Daisy (official launch day is Thursdsay, July 24th!). Asela is the magnificent artist who drew this set in honor of her special friend Daisy, who is currently battling cancer (please see Asela's blog, Hop Art Studio, for a heartrending story about how Flowers for Daisy came to be).

Asela wanted to use her God-given talents in a way that could help Daisy. This new set, Flowers for Daisy is the direct result of Asela's desire, and I'm so, so, so honored that Asela invited me to be a part of the design team for the launch of this special set. Personally, it couldn't have come at a better time for me. That I am able to use my God-given talents to help Gina, Asela, Daisy, and indirectly, Ken, humbles me. We must all do what we can, with what we've been given, to make a difference in this world.

You can help make a difference too. For every Flowers for Daisy set that is sold between now and the end of August, $4.00 will go to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Asela Hopkins and Gina K. Designs. I encourage each and every one of you consider buying this set in remembrance of, or in honor of, a loved one in your life that has been affected by cancer.

Today, Gina's own team of talented designers is previewing Asela's new set, so be sure and stop by each of their blogs throughout the week to see what they've done with Flowers for Daisy:

Emily Giovanni
Joanne Basile
Julie Koeber
Michelle Giraud

I am so excited to show you the cards I've made with Flowers for Daisy that I might just have to email Gina this morning and tell her I want to post my cards earlier than Friday;0)! Gina is giving away Flowers for Daisy on her blog today, so be sure and visit her to try and win one for yourself!

Hugs,
Amy