Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer God has been gracious to provide for our needs in many ways. But our ongoing medical expenses related to my cancer have continued to be a financial challenge for our family, as it is for so many families dealing with a major illness.
A friend of mine recently mentioned the possibility of being an Avon representative. The business model is ideal for me as a stay-at-home mom, and the Avon Foundation is a huge supporter of breast cancer research and has programs in fifty countries that work to provide women access to care. And the products Avon sells go way beyond make-up; they also sell jewelery, clothes, home goods, children's products, and much more.
So as of today, I am working as an Avon representative! I am not intending to use this blog as a marketing tool - I want to keep it focused on being a "live diary" of my journey through cancer. But since this is a part of my journey, I thought I would include just one brief post about it.
If you would be interested in making an Avon purchase, you can shop at my personalized Avon website here. If you'd rather look through a printed catalog, just let me know - I can either give one to you in person or send you one in the mail. However, shopping on my Avon website will probably be best since there are new catalogs published every two weeks.
Thanks so much for your prayers and continued support!
This past weekend several families from Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Dallas held agarage sale in order to raise funds for Erin's medical costs. As you can see in the video below, this was a huge sale and the folks who coordinated it were so thoughtful and creative in planning all the details! The sale was a big success in every way and the funds raised will go a long way towards helping with Erin's medical costs.
We are so grateful to all those who helped with the sale - those who donated items, those who sorted and priced the items, those who worked during the sale, and to the Webster family who hosted the sale! Thank you for taking the initiative to serve our family in this way. The selflessness of your love for Erin is truly a reflection of your calling as saints in Jesus Christ!
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Last night and today Matt and I participated in the events for the Third Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in Savannah. It was great to be a part of such a large event which not only connected me to other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, but that also raises awareness about breast cancer and money for breast cancer research. I was amazed that there are over 850 women in Chatham County (where we live) that are diagnosed each year and that over 5,000 people participated in the race!
At these events I was in a group referred to as a breast cancer "survivor" (supposedly you are a technically a "survivor" from the day you are diagnosed). But in many ways, I don’t totally feel like a survivor of breast cancer because I am only halfway through my initial treatment. Nevertheless, it was neat to talk with other women who have gone through or are going through the same thing I am going through right now.
Last night we attended a reception for survivors where the guest speaker was Savannah’s own Paula Deen. When I met her and mentioned my name, I was very surprised that she remembered my name because her son Jamie participated in a fundraising event for me last December.
This morning Matt and Samuel and I participated in the 5K race. Samuel and I walked and Matt ran (and then came back and walked to the finish line with me)…I am so proud of him! He even made a special shirt for the race which says, "I hate running...but I love my wife!"
Alright, I know it sounds very strange...but one of the most exciting parts of the morning was getting a free 12-pack of Quilted Northern toilet paper!!!
It is interesting how much camaraderie there is amongst the breast cancer survivors. I greatly appreciated getting to know the other survivors and learning from them and relating to them. What a blessing! For some, those supportive and encouraging relationships with other survivors is the primary thing "getting them through" their battle with breast cancer. I certainly value those relationships, but they are not ultimate; my ultimate comfort and support comes from Jesus Christ and his daily love and faithfulness to me.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
My friends Drew and Amanda Holbrook will be participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C., on April 30th and May 1st. In my honor and for the sake of all those with breast cancer, they will be walking thirty-six miles over two days to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. They are currently raising funds in order to participate in the walk and beginning today (April 1st), a portion of every purchase made at this 31 Gifts website will go towards that need. I encourage you to support them!
Praise the Lord! The Chick-fil-a night was a huge success! In just three hours we raised enough money to cover all of my chemotherapy costs! Thank you to all of you who took time out of your evening to come support me and my family. I am so thankful that I was able to be there for the whole evening to meet and catch up with all of you. I was excited to have the support of “celebrity servers” like Jamie Dean (from Lady and Sons), Mike Lamb (Mayor of Pooler), and Alice Massimi (WSAV), but I was just as excited to see my friends and all those who had never met me before!
Being interviewed by WSAV (NBC).
What a treat to meet Jamie Dean (Paula Dean's son)! Thanks for the cookbooks, Jamie!
On Wednesday Matt and I were interviewed by our local NBC station, W-SAV TV, to discuss my breast cancer and to promote a fundraiser at Chick-fil-a in Pooler next Tuesday (12/14). The story aired on the 6pm news tonight. You can see the video and read the story below:
Having a child is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life but for one Pooler Mom, it's turned into one of the most challenging. Just days after giving birth to her son, Samuel, Erin Fray was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer. “I was on cloud nine, having given birth, and he (the doctor) walked into the office looking concerned and he told me that I have breast cancer," recalls Erin Fray.
Fray says she had noticed the lump several months ago, but didn’t think anything of it. Her mind was on her bundle of joy. Now all of a sudden Erin was facing cancer. Surprised and also scared, Erin's husband Matt says it's been challenging. "Going from the high of having a new baby to the low of there is this disease, and then the complication of how do we deal with both of them at the same time," explains Matt.
The Frays' answer to dealing with it all -- faith. "God giving us grace, causing us not to be overwhelmed, giving us patience and understanding," says Matt. Needed especially on the days following Erin's chemotherapy. "The days when I am laying in bed, thinking when is this ever going to be over, I can rest in the fact that I am in God's hands and he is not going to let go of me," says Erin. Even with her deep belief in God, Erin says it’s been difficult... not able to nurse Samuel... there is also a chance Erin may not be able to have any more children.
But for now Erin is focusing on the battle before her. About a third of the way into her chemotherapy treatments, Erin still has a long road to recovery ahead of her. "The plan right now is, I will finish up chemo, and then I will have surgery. Then depending on what kind of surgery I have and what they find in the surgery, I will have radiation," says Erin.
With her family, faith, and the community at her side, Erin believes she can win the battle.
To help the Frays handle some of the medical expenses, the Chick-fil-A on Pooler Parkway is holding a benefit for them on Tuesday the 14th. The event starts at five and goes until eight.
To learn more about Erin's journey, you can check out her blog at www.erinfray.blogspot.com.
A couple local businesses have contacted me about coordinating fundraising events to help with the medical costs related to my cancer. While the most important and encouraging thing folks can do for me is to pray, financial help is certainly also a need.
The first fundraising event is today, November 25th. Hailey Mae, a website (also on Facebook) that sells hair bows, clips, aprons, and other accessories for girls, will donate $1 for every item sold tonight after 6pm. They will also donate $2 if you purchase a tutu bow holder or holiday clothing. Shipping for all items is just $2. This should be a great way to get a little early Christmas shopping done! (Note: If you miss today's sale, they will repeat this fundraising event for us on the evenings of December 2nd and 9th.)
The second fundraising event is a couple weeks away, but it's worth marking your calendars now! On Tuesday, December 14th, Chick-fil-a of Pooler will donate 10% of their proceeds from purchases made between 5pm and 8pm. In addition to their always-delicious food, Chick-fil-a is making plans for other fun family activities for that night, so keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks.
