Working in a collaboration with MarieClaire.com site director, Abby Gardner, we couldn't be more excited to unveil our 2011 Breast Cancer Awareness shoe with 100% of the profits being donated to the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation. Abby designed a gorgeous cap toe, t-strap, platform pump using raspberry suede and bold pink leather.
This has been a passion project for us and were so excited when our amazing cousin Sara agreed to be our partner.
This is us... a long time ago... yup, at a Renaissance Fair .... and this is us a few years go...
In April of 2010, at the age of 37, and six months pregnant, Sara was blindsided with a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and began an aggressive treatment plan of surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. With a two year-old at home, Sara (and her angelic husband, Brian) faced this head on and fought cancer and carried her baby to term all at the same time. She underwent two months of her first part of chemo (post surgery), paused for 10 days, gave birth, then began phase two of chemotherapy that lasted another three months. Then radiation.
Liza Kate Lewis was born August 23rd weighing in at 5 lbs. 7 oz. and is as healthy as can be. And exactly one year later, the week Liza turned one, Sara was greeted with the news that she had all clean scans and was cancer free.
We wanted to do something to contribute in a meaningful way. Because of that, we were so excited when we approached the insanely talented, funny, pop-culture obsessed, big-hearted Abby Gardner at MarieClaire.com. Turns out, they were looking for a great way to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month. Says Abby, "This October, the MarieClaire.com team was looking to contribue to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a way that we knew for certain would better the lives of women battling this disease that touches so many of us. Lucky for us, our good friends at milk & honey felt the same. Together we've designed a pair of pink shoes that you can buy and know that 100% of the proceeds will go to a worth charity: the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation..."
We chose the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation because of how integral they were to Sara's experience while she was undergoing treatment. "The Karen Dove Cabral Foundation made a huge difference in my/ our experiences," Sara said. "They helped us to fund childcare once Liza was born and I was back in chemo. Without their generous support, we couldn't have juggled a newborn, a 2 1/2 year old, Brian's full-time job, and my intensive treatments."
Together with Abby, Sara and Sara's family, we thank you for anything and everything you do this month to honor breast cancer survivors, support breast cancer fighters and remember those with breast cancer who are no longer with us.
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. It's the second leading cause of death from cancer after lung cancer. And given that one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease during her lifetime, it's likely you know someone afflicted by it as well. Fortunately, breast cancer death rates have been going down which is attributed to earlier detection. Let's do our part to help support research and increase survival.
With much love and gratitude,
Dorian and Ilissa
