BRCA: Joyfully Giving Back!

My journey this past year has had its fair share of good days and bad days. Days that I want to remember and days that I want to forget. The most important lesson that I learned this year is that I'm walking this journey for a reason. Is it easy? No, but I guarantee you that it's been worth it. God has allowed me to make friends this year that I never would have met otherwise. He's allowed me to open up through this blog and through countless small moments in doctors office waiting rooms, in phone conversations, meetings with medical professionals, etc. And this is just the beginning...

In the last few weeks, God has been working on my heart and my future. In October, I was given a Mavis Pearl dog by my sweet friend and hero, Brenda McDonald. Brenda has been battling Ovarian Cancer for over four years and she is one of the reasons why I had a hysterectomy in April. To say that Brenda is an amazing woman would be an understatement. Per the Joy in the Cause website, "Mavis Pearl is a dog with a cause. She's on a mission to spread laughter and joy to those who need a good dose of sunshine from a silly bulldog. She is a certified therapy dog often seen around town in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and cancer treatment centers."

After receiving my Mavis Pearl stuffed dog, that was prayed over specifically for me, I started to look more into the Joy in the Cause organization (www.joyinthecause.org). I was drawn to the positive messages displayed and I loved seeing their posts on Facebook about bringing joy to those going through cancer. After I posted the above picture on FB, a friend of mine said that I needed to meet Lisa Bain (she and her mom founded Joy in the Cause). At the time, I didn't know anything about Lisa, I knew very little about the organization, and I didn't realize that God was working on a plan to bring us together.

Let me backtrack a little bit. Since day one of this journey, I've been very open about my cancer gene and making sure that others know about it so that it's not a scary thing, but rather empowering to know that we have choices when it comes to our health. Part of that awareness has been the desire to make a t-shirt. Over the past few weeks I came up with a phrase, a friend drew up the idea, I've spoken with a t-shirt company, and I'm ready to move forward. Without even knowing all of the details, I knew for certain that I would give 100% of the proceeds of the t-shirt purchases to Joy in the Cause. Fast forward to a few days ago, a friend on FB asked if she could give my info to Lisa Bain. This friend had no idea about the t-shirt or where the proceeds would go, or that Joy in the Cause had been so heavily on my heart. This was truly a God connection. Of course I agreed, and Lisa called me on Tuesday. We hit it off right away, I shared the t-shirt idea with her, and I let her know that once I'm healed I want to volunteer with her organization to bring Joy to those fighting this terrible disease. We can't wait to join forces and see what God has in store for us!

So, until I'm healed and able to physically give back, I will start by offering the proceeds of this t-shirt to Joy in the Cause. The phrase "I'm BRCA Positive They're Fake" has multiple meanings. 1) I am BRCA2+ (positive) and finding out that info on Jan 6th of this year changed my life. 2) I've been positive throughout this entire journey. 3) And yes, my boobs are fake and I'm OK with that. In the letter "I" of the word positive, is my favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 40:31 which says, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I've always connected this verse to my mom's battle and survival of breast cancer in 1993. When we wear this shirt, I want people to ask us questions. I want to draw awareness to this gene and to spread the word about what I've gone through. Having the BRCA gene is nothing to fear. In fact, it has changed my life for the better. I'm now able to wake up each day knowing that I'm healthy and that I'll never face Breast or Ovarian Cancer, and that, my friends, is life changing!

***PRE-ORDERS***

If you would like to Pre-Order a shirt, please email me at morrison25@cox.net and let me know the size(s) that you would like. The shirts will be gray with black writing, but could look a little different than what is shown. They are super soft and very comfortable. Toddler, kids, and adult sizes are available. I can even order Talls. I will take Pre-Orders until Nov 30th and then place the order with the t-shirt company on Dec 1st. Each shirt is $15 and 100% of the proceeds will go to Joy in the Cause. Once I receive your email, I will give you my address so that you can mail me a check or you can send money via Paypal at the above mentioned email address. Please add $3 to your total if you need me to mail an order to you. Thank you friends for supporting my journey, which in turn, allows me to support bringing Joy to those battling cancer!

1 Chronicles 16:27 - Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 30:11 - You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

Psalm 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.