I’m so excited about the new t-shirts that have made their way to the Lemonade Stand. The goal was to smack cancer upside the head with a one-two punch.
The first jab was to create a fun but inspiring design that gives a bit of hope not just to people diagnosed with cancer, but also for the scientists, doctors, nurses, clinic managers, and caregivers (along with the support system of family and friends) who are in on the fight, too. Because no one fights cancer alone.
The second thing we wanted to do was support different cancer-fighting charities who are doing important work. So we’re donating $5 for every t-shirt sold to one of five amazing organizations. When you buy a shirt, you get to tell us where the money should go.
One of these amazing charities is Hidden Warriors. My friend Erin told me about them, and I was immediately impressed with their unique and powerful mission. Basically, Hidden Warriors puts on “Warrior Makeover Workshops” which create an experience using makeup, costumes, photography, art and dance to increase self-esteem and empower women who have been affected by cancer.
There is something inherently childlike about playing dress-up. And Hidden Warriors is proof that it can be a powerful and healing thing for grown-ups to do, too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7SgAPSrn4wA big focus of the fight against cancer usually revolves around research, and justifiably so. But it’s just as important to address and strengthen the heart and soul of patients. And that’s exactly what Hidden Warriors does. Here’s Marlene Sarli on how it all began:
A couple of years ago, as I was moving through a difficult time, I had access to a closet full of headdresses that belonged to my aunt. Not long after trying a few on, I noticed my posture, body language and attitude changed from hopeless to powerful.
Being framed in this context was unlike anything I’d experienced in my life. I felt unbelievably strong, powerful, beautiful, confident and unstoppable. It awakened a dormant energy in me that I was able to use as fuel to move forward. I now understand the importance of posture and what it does to our brain chemistry, how it literally does heal us, and how certain headdresses actually gently force us to hold these power postures, as studied by many social psychologists. This is just one of the simple but profound benefits of wearing these pieces. I was stunned at how beneficial and therapeutic this experience had been.
Fast forward to 2013 when my mother, the strongest and most incredible woman I have ever known, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer became very real to me at that point. I felt compelled to come up with things she could use to help her get through her treatments and empower her in some way in hopes of strengthening her resolve to fight for her life. I love this woman more than anything or anyone in this world and would do anything for her. I came to understand that ANY positive experience, no matter how small, can be a healing and strengthening force for anyone who has been weakened by cancer or any other trial. And the Hidden Warriors Project was born.
So great! We are super proud to help support this great cause. Buy one of the new Cancer Fighter t-shirts today!
