Breast Cancer Awareness

Fortunate Face Minerals is proud to introduce some new products to it's line, 3 limited edition lipsticks & 2 lip balms. These 5 products will only be available until October 16th, and all proceeds from the sale  will go directly to the Rays of Hope Foundation, in Springfield, Ma.
 I am proud to sponsor this effort In honor of my mother, Mary who passed of breast cancer in October  2001, & my sister-in-law Dianne, also from breast cancer February of 1997, my mother -in-law Andree',  May 1975 at only 36 years old.
Each women was in a different stage of life- Andree' was a young mother of four- leaving my husband, her youngest, at only 5 years of age. Dianne, too was a wife & mother leaving her husband Tom, & only son, Andre (named after his grandmother) only 4.  My mother, Mary, was a mother & grandmother when she too, lost her battle with breast cancer.
Each loss changed our lives in profound, and meaningful ways. These circumstances also play a large role in determining our future actions. This brings me to my final honoree.
Last August my Brother-in-law Tom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yes, Andree's eldest son. Dianne's widowed Husband. Father to son-Andre' and new husband to Laurie- who also lost  husband Ron, father to her 5 children, from cancer.
And yes, I said BREAST cancer.
An avid baseball player- Tom merely thought he was sore from a game, he never expected this outcome. Fortunately Tom saw a doctor immediately an caught his cancer early. Read his story here: http://www.masslive.com/tomshea/index.ssf/2010/07/rays_of_hope_light_the_way_for.html
This prompted his brothers, Glenn, and my husband, Sean to also be tested for the BRACA genetic markers. All three siblings are positive.
This story seems depressing, so much loss and sadness, but there IS good to come from all this. Tom proves that finding out early CAN save your life. His surgery and recovery were easier because he took immediate action. My husband, all siblings, and their children, can be tested, & take measures to prevent, and find early treatment for any cancer diagnosis. They can be survivors, rather than victims.
In that context Tom agreed to be a spokesperson for The Rays Of Hope, an organization I am well familiar with.
When my mother was undergoing her 5 years of treatment, the Rays of Hope provided services and comforts to her experience. Not only do they raise money for ongoing research, the rest of the funding goes directly to the patients and families struggling with cancer. My mother received everything from a simple lunch or hand and foot massage during 6 hours of chemotherapy, to counseling services, exercise & dietary programs. There are grief counseling for families who have suffered loss, and much more. These offer more than, the often nebulous hope of,  "a cure someday" which we ALL still pray fervently for, but also practical, real world help to patients and families embroiled in the quagmire of cancer. From the first year since her diagnosis, when my mother asked my brothers, father, and I to walk with her in the Rays of Hope walk, to her last, when we all pushed her  the 2 mile distance in her wheelchair, we, as team Mother's Little Helpers found tremendous support in raising whatever funds we could.  I was both touched, and grateful to experience the love with which ALL my wonderful in-laws enthusiastically joined the walk and fundraising efforts. They even started the Andree' S. Welch Memorial golf tournament, in it's 9th year, Which will be held this year October 16th at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield, Ma. with all proceeds going to the Rays of Hope foundation.
https://foundation.baystatehealth.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=289
In conclusion I will be taking orders for Custom colored Lipsticks in a cute pink Diamond case. The three colors are Dianne, a creamy neutral pink/brown that would have looked beautiful on my sister-in-law with her blond hair, and minimalist makeup look. Andree' is a richer plum/berry pink- a sheer cream that will enhance darker haired, deeper complected gals like my 100% French mother-in-law. Lastly, is Mary- a peachy pink with light shimmer- reminiscent, but modernized, of a color I watched my Irish mother wear since I was a small girl. Lipsticks are $15 each (tax will apply for Ma residents, and $1 shipping for others), with about $10 going directly to the Rays of Hope.

From top to bottom: Dianne, Andree', & Mary

Next are two Shea Butter lip balms- the first, Tom, with natural scent of oranges- perfect for any guy, and Hopeful a berry scented balm. These can be pre-ordered by contacting me here, through facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fortunate-Face-Minerals/448973240105?ref=ts, or email : info@fortunatefaceminerals.com.

Pink Diamond Case with "Mary"

Lip Balms in Tom & Hopeful