October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month but awareness of this pervasive disease should not be limited to just one month. This is our dear friend Susie who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer recently. We’ve been friends with Susie since late middle school and were devastated with the news of her diagnosis.
Susie is a talented artist and I remember she often made us original, hand-drawn cards for birthdays. I remember Susie once sat with me for three hours in the car and listened lovingly as I vented and cried. She is soft-spoken but precise in the way she speaks with you - she answers thoughtfully and kindly. She exudes authenticity. I have always admired Susie’s steadfastness and character. And now, watching her fight for her life, I am in awe of her strength, courage and ferocity.
Here at EDEN, we’ve been contemplating which charity we wanted to give a portion of our proceeds to. We are passionate about many important issues and were divided about where to give. When we heard of Susie’s diagnosis, a truth was realized. Cancer, in its essence is the antithesis of a paradise within. Cancer is the robbery of an eden. Cancer tricks your body into destroying itself instead of thriving. An eden flourishes. Cancer decays.
It is with this conviction that we commit a portion of our proceeds from our first box to Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org). It is our deepest hope that our contribution will further research on the cure for cancer so that people like Susie can find their eden within.