Thursday, February 27, 2014

Breast Care Center Opening!

Good Evening Everyone!

Tonight, I wanted to share with you all the incredible journey I've been on lately! Why sometimes paper crafting had to take the back burner so that I could come home and just veg!   It's been quite an undertaking and it's finally here.... Our Breast Care Center Boutique.  Tonight, we had the big kick off event showing off the New Breast Care Center to the many donors who generously gave of their time and money (millions!!!) to make this a reality for one of our hospitals.

I was honored with the task of taking a gorgeous space and creating a boutique that would not only carry items of inspiration, but post surgical garments, scarves, and informative books to name a few for breast cancer patients, their families and friends.

We had a month to plan and conquer.   This may mean nothing to you, but I feel this small sense of pride for getting the store up and going in this crazy time frame.  From purchasing merchandise, getting it priced, stocked, merchandised...to hiring someone to run the store,  training them, setting up the credit card machine, cash register, purchasing sacks, totes, tissue paper, staples, stapler, calculator, tape dispensers, pens, pencils and fixtures...You name it... We were still opening boxes 10 minutes before the event tonight and some of our merchandise hasn't even arrived yet....But you know what?... the store is open and has merchandise on the shelves.











I have learned so much along the way.  I never thought that I would find myself behind a desk ordering post surgical bras and camisoles... Learning why there are breast drains, how they work, why the drains are there and why drain pockets in garments are so helpful.   How to locate lumps in your breast and to learn that not only women develop breast cancer but men as well.

I'm honestly proud to be apart of this amazing group at the hospital and to be so much more aware of breast cancer and what breast cancer survivors go through. 

Taking the day off tomorrow to breathe...

Have an awesome night!
Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

56 comments:

  1. Jim,
    The Boutique is beautiful! Fantastic job, everything is gorgeous. Congratulations.
    Gail in Oklahoma

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  2. It looks like you did a fabulous job, and you should be very proud. I hope the store is a big success and alot of people benifit from it. Enjoy your much needed day off. (my cousin is male and he had breast cancer, we had never heard of it until then.)

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  3. Thank you Jim for sharing this with us...it speaks volumes....

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  4. Crazy time frame is right! You did an amazing job and for such a great cause!! Well done
    Sandy

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  5. Awesome job, you truly are an amazing person. Wish I could come visit this store and buy something. As a cancer patient, I just want to let you know how much it is appreciated what you have done for others :)

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  6. What a special shop. My hair is pink for my best friend Claire who died in December last year after finding a lump in May last year - The chemo killed her. I liked the t-shirt you posted on FB when you were at a trade show which said "Hell yes these are fake! The real ones tried to kill me" Claire would have loved that! I now have another friend who is fighting the battle, but found it early enough and will need all the things you mention that you have bought for this store. This would be a brilliant thing to have here in South Africa where I think we have the highest number of cases of Breast Cancer - or so I have been told... not sure of the stats. WELL DONE in that time frame, the ladies and gents who need the stuff will appreciate it so much.

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  7. You should be proud Jim. The boutique is beautiful!!! It should be a huge success. Bless you for learning so much about the "after" part of this dreadful cancer. HUGS

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  8. You're a good man to have so much empathy for a woman's issue. I guess men get breast cancer too. I know a lady who went through a horrific time with skin grafts after surgery. Oh dear..what it is to be human and fall ill.You just never know from day to day what will happen.Good on you for being there for the Centre.Well done you!!

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  9. Well done, Sir! The shop is lovely, airy and bright. What an amazing feat to get all that done in just a month. I'm so glad you shared this with us!

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  10. An outstanding achievement Jim, having family members who have suffered from this merciless disease I know what you've help create will touch many hearts and souls. Sue C x

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  11. A amazing job on the boutique Jim. We need more caring people like you. Karen.x

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  12. Amazing! The boutique looks great.

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  13. Tat is too cool for words! Bravo Jim!

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  14. Kudos for caring and being involved and making it happen!!! It looks great.

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  15. An amazing job on a special place!

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  16. I have always thought reading your posts that you were a nice bloke with a caring heart. Now I know it for sure. Great Job Jim!

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  17. Most of what I wanted to say has already been said. They could not have picked a better man for this undertaking. Your attention to detail and sensitivity towards those you are doing this for is very special. You have every right to be proud of what you have accomplished.

    Double helping of Blessings.
    Jim

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  18. BRAVO!!! The boutique is beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!! As a survivor myself, I thank you for all the hard work, sweat and tears for yours and everyone's hard work to make the store for those unfortunate enough to have to fight this horrible disease!!! Love to you ALL!!!

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  19. Congratulations Jim! The time scale sounds very impressive & the pictures look amazing. I hope that the boutique brings a little joy to those that enter its doors. Theresa x

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  20. Oh Jim it is wonderful!...congratulations...something to be very proud of..

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  21. This is a fabulous shop! Good work! What a blessing places like this are for those with breast cancer. Job well done! Get some rest. Hugs my friend.

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  22. It is a beautiful store and so much more. As a survivor, I can tell you how much the self-esteem part of healing plays a role. You created an inviting and uplifting space for women to know they are a part of something bigger than themselves and that others support us in the healing process. Thank you for a great job and service.

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  23. Congratulations! You did a WONDERFUL job! Getting diagnosed and treated for breast cancer is one the scariest things to have to go through in life - it helps that there are people like you trying to make the world a little brighter when everything seems so glum. Thank you - hugs from California!

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  24. Thank you for this post, Jim. My daughter has just finished fighting the fight. Her reconstruction is all done now, and all that remains is for her to be checked periodically. I appreciate (for her) your store. I bought her several lab coat tops so she could have pockets for her drains 2 years ago. What a fight those with breast cancer go through. Thank you for making a difference in their lives!

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  25. Wow! Jim, that is so cool! It's a wonder you've had any time for crafting! What a wonderful thing you've been a part of.

    Noreen
    Crafty Journal

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  26. God bless you Jim you have done an amazing job. All the love and faith in you really shows.

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  27. What a superb human being you are Mr Jim! It takes a caring heart and the work ethic of a mule to be a true gentleman in my book. You have that in spades, but you also have the design sense and creativity of an artist. You gave a beautiful look to an important space! Rest well!

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  28. Jim just seeing this store touches me. You see my mom passed away of Breast Cancer, I have been fighting Stage 4 Colon Cancer, my neighbors daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer and when she was done with the surgery and chemo Her FATHER was diagnosed with breast cancer. And seeing that you mentioned that men get it too I am Proud that you said that. I still have that package to mail to you. It will get there soon, when this crazy snow weather stops on the east coast

    :)
    Toniann
    "TA"

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  29. What a wondeful post, made me tear up. My best friend is battling stage 4 ovarian and colon cancer and it was wonderful to read such a postive post about people helping others. I lost my hubby to esophigeal cancer and so when I hear the word it stikes such dread in my soul. Keep doing what you are doing, you are truly a wonderful and creative soul.

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  30. Wow - what an achievement! It has already been said by many, but I need to tell you that you are a very special and kind hearted man and I'm so proud of you! You touch the lives of others in so many positive ways and make the world a better place - your sweet Mom must also be very proud. Please ask Cesar to give you a big hug from me!

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  31. Thank you for spending the past month doing such a wonderful thing! I'm exhausted just reading what you had to accomplish is such a short time. The boutique is beautiful! Enjoy a little time for yourself today--you've earned it!

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  32. Jim you are a truly wonderful person, I thank you for caring!!! So many people will benefit from this lovely space, you deserve a rest now, Hugs!!!!!

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  33. WOW!! Jim, you are a amazing person and I know God will bless you for all you do. I am sure those who benefit from your store will be blessed as well. Thanks for not only the inspiration in crafting but in helping our fellow man.

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  34. You are not only a talented artist, but also a very wonderful human being. I say that with all my heart. The world needs more people like you. Keep up the great work.

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  35. It looks beautiful, Jim! I have many friends who are B.C. Survivors, and I bet they would all love your store! You deserve a day off!

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  36. You did an amazing job in such a short time. You really do have a big heart and it shows in your work. All ,will benefit from such a wonderful place during such a difficult time. Thank you for sharing.

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  37. Oh my goodness! What a wonderful journey you have been a part of over this past month! What a marvelous undertaking you did! Words simply cannot express my appreciation for what you have done for the many, many, many woman that you will never know, but yet cared so much about to do this.

    Jim, you are truly blessed! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a wonderful job!

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  38. You are an angel and going to Heaven. The boutique looks wonderful and will be so appreciated by those in need. I am a 15 year Breast Cancer Survivor and know how much this means. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

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  39. Jim, your beautiful boutique brought tears of joy to me. My Mom is 85 and a 55 year breast cancer survivor. In those days there was nothing like this to help her out. I applaud you and all the other folks that worked so hard and gave so much to make this possible!
    Thanks so much!
    Kris and her mom, Frances, in Washington State

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  40. Jim,

    You have done many things of which to be proud of, but this tops the list. I am so proud of you, thrilled for what you accomplished and all the good it is going to do for so many.

    God bless you,
    Maureen

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  41. Congratulations, what an accomplishment in such a short time. And, what a blessing for those who will be finding things they need and do it surrounded by such beauty. Bravo!!

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  42. You did a great job. What a kind thing for you to do. I know it was a lot of work but the store is so needed. It is people like you who give of their time who mean so much to everyone who has dealt with this scary time in their life. Thank you so much.

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  43. You go guy!!! Thanks for doing such an awesome job. The space is light, bright and happy. That is just so important. WRE

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  44. Congrats on a job well done, Jim. I know it's been an interesting journey. And the store is gorgeously PINK!
    Thanks for this post, I know we all need to learn about this horrible disease. Thanks again, Hugs, Jess

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  45. WOW , what an Amazing journey you have taken, and such an Amazing space you have created for that wonderful cause!....hugz Kath...xx...( fae Scotland)

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  46. Love it!! My very dearest and most wonderful BFF forever lost her battle. She was youngest breast cancer patient in Cleveland to not make it. During her battle I met a number of amazing women that were fighting to. Those items are so important, I still remember conversations we had about some of it. She was so worried she wouldn't look normal, I said who cares and since when was she worried about being normal! I stood by her side, held her hand and shaved her head. Which reminds me, do you have any head wear..not wigs just these scarf things. She loved the longer ones and especially the brighter colored also...it really helped her self confidence and she had fun wearing them.
    Good luck!

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  47. This is totally awesome! You've done a great job. I am a cancer survivor, this has a special meaning. I'm sure you have touched many lives. Thank You...T Harper

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  48. Jim, I'm floored. Your beautiful paper creations wowed me all the time but this, this is so wonderful. So giving and generous. And your giving of yourself will go on to touch others lives for a very long time. Way to go Texas boy!

    Mary

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  49. Congratulations on this beautiful shop you've created. What a warm and welcoming place it is for those who are facing such difficult and frightening times. Way to go!

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  50. Jim, thank you for putting your considerable skills to such amazingly good work for the fight against breast cancer..that nasty disease that doesn't care where a person comes from, how rich or how poor they may be, whether they are childless or blessed by many children...I can't think of a more wonderful thing that you could do to show your support...as a woman and the mother of a daughter and the sister of some wonderful siblings I thank you. Abby F

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  51. Wow... You have helped do a beautiful thing here! I am so proud of you Jim! Breast Cancer does run in my family along with regular Cancer. I have seen survivors and have loved many fought a good fight! Thank you for being so caring and considerate!!! Hugs!!!

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