Jillian's Story
In September of 2004
I received a call that a friend’s appendix burst while feeding her newborn daughter. Unfortunately, the doctors found her appendix to be cancerous. I wanted to do something. Friends helped with meals and such but, I wanted to do more.
Around the same time,
another woman, in my circle of friends, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to DO something.
Then, in December of 2004,
my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. I NEEDED to do something.
It seemed to be all around me, and I myself had felt the scare when I had experienced problems. I said to myself, “I never want to be a member of this club, but there must be something I can do to help”.
While sitting in the waiting room during my best friend’s surgery, a strong voice came over me (I am a singer/songwriter and I usually get a small voice that helps me with ideas.) This time it was a very clear and strong loud voice.
I wrote down “Chix 4 a Cause…helping cancer patients and their families get through tough times”. I wrote down the idea of a big music event, once a year, to gather friends and family to celebrate living. I was also going to raise funds to help families get through the tough times by taking some of their worries away. I am starting small but, the reality is, every community could use a chapter of Chix 4 a Cause to help people going through cancer as we are.
My vision became reality in 2005
when we rented a room in the old courthouse, got people to donate food, drinks and auction items and raised $6,000! We are on our fourth year and will be getting our first national entertainer, Suzy Bogguss. We just received our first grant of $10,000 … the sky is the limit!!
I am truly blessed
with some amazing friends that have helped me put this together, and when I need help, new friends seem to pop up. The network of people affected by cancer is enormous and the cooperation of individuals and companies are wonderful. Along with the community's help through prayers and networking my vision will continue to grow, as will I.
