(Photo above courtesy of Project Brave Heart)
Please join Brave Collective, a women’s boutique at 133 Century Drive, for the annual Project Brave Heart holiday event.
They gather to celebrate and support courageous young Bend mothers who are facing life threatening diseases. All donations and raffle proceeds will go to the beneficiaries. Fabulous raffle prizes have been generously donated from a myriad of your favorite local Bend businesses. Desserts and beverages will be served. This is a free event and will be supporting Samantha Warner as she faces her courageous cancer battle.
A little about Samantha Warner, as told by Jen Riker.
In 2012, at 29 years old, Samantha was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Sam is a sweet wife, mother, sister, and friend. She and her husband, Joe, have two tiny children, Paisley (age 2) and Caden (age 5), and they are Sam’s whole world as you can imagine.
Sam has endured years of chemo, radiation, immunotherapy treatment, and she was recently in a clinical trial to try to beat this ugly disease. So far all treatment attempts have been unsuccessful. Over the last few months, Sam’s cancer has become more severe with a recent scan showing a new mass on her brain stem. Doctors locally and at OHSU are using rounds of rotating medications to try to suppress the cancer and keep it from spreading more until they find something that works. Insurance covers some of the cost, but as we all know it doesn’t cover many expenses.
Last year was our first Project Brave Heart and it was for a dear friend of mine Nicole Whaley–also a mother of young children and going through a very similar ordeal as Sam. What I learned from that experience is, that although the extra thousands of dollars we made for Nicole’s family was helpful to them, what was more important is how loved Nicole felt. I also realized how we as a community need to have a place to come together–to share our feelings and show our support and love. It’s healing and strengthening for everyone. It’s these types of times that makes Bend feel like home.
Even if you don’t know Sam, I’m sure you know someone like her. I hope you will join us and share this experience with your friends.
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.
Jen Riker and all the Brave Collective staff.
Project Brave Heart
Brave Collective, 133 SW Century Drive, Bend
Thursday, December 1st 5:30-9pm
Event is free and open to the public
www.shopbravecollective@gmail.com
541-408-4755 Jennifer Riker