This time of the year is always a difficult one for me and my family. My mom, who taught me to knit, and whose generous spirit inspires fortuknit's value of giving, passed away in March when I was 15 years old, just shy of what would have been her 60th birthday, and my Sweet 16th birthday a week later. Of course, holidays and special moments since then have been tough to get through, but having the memory of her laughter, her incredibly corny jokes, and her commitment to community are the things that have helped me through the times when I’m struggling the most with losing her.

I remember, as a child, always seeing mail addressed to my mom from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. They were neatly packaged envelopes with cute, seasonal prints on personalized stationery that she would later use to mail cards or letters, and to take notes. (My mom would write notes on any piece of paper nearby—no paper was safe!) Accompanying the animal-print or floral-print stationery of the season was always a request to give and support St. Jude’s ongoing cause to fight childhood cancer. This was probably my first encounter with St. Jude’s Hospital. My mom demonstrated to me in my very young years that finding and supporting ministries that share my values are important.

St. Jude doesn’t just seek to squash cancer. They also make it their mission to tackle other serious, pediatric diseases through continued research. The care, wellbeing and survival of children is the hospital’s primary focus. I have experienced firsthand what cancer can do to a family. The very word itself incites fear when it hits close to home. Dealing with the emotions of just getting through the day can be too much, let alone the financial impact of finding and going through treatments. Because of generous contributors, St. Jude families can focus on health and recovery—never getting a bill for care.

My mom was not able to get what she needed to win her battle against cancer, but this March, I’m so proud to bring this moment full circle in hopes that many other little humans undergoing treatment at St. Jude will get to grow up knowing they won their fight. In an effort to do my part, I have signed up for St. Jude’s Knit & Fundraise Challenge!

I’m participating in the challenge as myself, but doubling as Chief Creative Officer of a handmade knitting brand has its perks. Everyone who contributes to my fundraiser in support of St. Jude will receive an entry to win a one-of-a-kind handmade fortuknit item! I don’t want to spoil the fun, so you’ll have to follow along on social media to see my progress, but I will start by letting you know that I sourced my materials for this project from a very unconventional place…my former employer…Lowe’s Home Improvement. Plot twist!

I’m excited for you to follow along and I’m excited to see who I get to send this unique project to at the end of the challenge!

Here's what you need to know:

1. You can access my fundraiser page via the following:

   Direct link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/847628533199831/

   Click the “Knit & Fundraise” photo above

   fortuknit’s Giving Back page

   Facebook

   Instagram (link in bio)

2. Once you’ve donated, you have secured an entry for our giveaway.

   If you donate anonymously, I won’t have your information to provide you with an entry.

   You may donate as many times as you’d like, but there is just one giveaway entry per person.

3. The fundraiser ends on Monday, April 10th and the giveaway will be announced on Friday, April 28th.

4. Follow along with my progress on Social Media. You can also follow along on fortuknit’s About Us page and via email updates.

5. Please like and share my fundraiser with everyone you know. Share the love!

Thank you, friends and supporters, for cheering me on as I take on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Knit & Fundraise Challenge. Together, we will help to continue the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®