The concept of Breast Cancer Cards and Cancer Care Cards was an idea inspired by God. Ever since my diagnosis with breast cancer in June of 1999, I have had so many opportunities to minister to other people diagnosed with cancer. Right after I found out I had breast cancer I was numb and dazed. I had a dear friend, Cindy, who, a year previously, been down the path I was about to take. She began to ask me questions over the phone about my diagnosis and treatment and I didn't even know how to answer her questions. She also asked me some hard questions about the type of surgery and chemotherapy I would need. I suddenly realized that I needed to educate myself. She guided me to find answers to the hard questions I needed to ask the doctors and myself.

Since that time, I have tried to be a blessing and help others that are frightened with the diagnosis of cancer. The nurses at my Oncologist's office are quick to send new patients to me for my point of view in battling cancer. I feel honored that the nurses would direct people to me for answers. The nurses have shared that my positive attitude helps many people in the chemo room and that is why they send others my way. I've also been asked to call friends or loved ones that have recently been diagnosed with cancer. It gives me joy to help others in their struggle with this terrible disease.

Over the past five years I have been the recipient of encouragement through the vehicle of greeting cards. I especially have a group of ladies called, "The Birthday Girls," that have given me the most consistent form of encouragement through greeting cards. I would send cards to my newly found cancer friends and never located greeting cards that dealt specifically with cancer. That is when God planted the seed for me to start a line of greeting cards specifically for cancer patients. The idea rattled around in my head for quite some time before my husband encouraged me to put feet to my idea. One day I sat down at my computer and began to write the Bible verses that have been a source of strength to me during my own battle with cancer and the text that followed was easy. It truly was from God!

God has opened so many doors for me to produce the Breast Cancer Cards and Cancer Care Cards that I know it is what He wants me to be doing with my life. My hope and prayer is that others are blessed by the Breast Cancer Cards or Cancer Care Cards made specifically for those dealing with the hard battle of cancer.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Shoemaker

Four Time Survivor of Breast Cancer