A Cup of Hope for Women with BreastCancer

Oct. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- A CUP OF HOPE FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

PROGRAM SEEKS DONATED TEA CUPS FOR GIFT BASKETS TO GIVE NEWLY DIAGNOSED A LIFT

Seattle, WA. --  Looking for a simple way to make a difference to a newly diagnosed patient during Breast Cancer Awareness month? Sometimes it only takes a cupful of hope to do so. That’s the thought behind A Cup of Hope, a program that turns donated tea cups into pint-sized gift baskets as an uplifting gesture to women at a crucial moment in their lives.  
Launched in concert with Breast Cancer Awareness month this October, A Cup of Hope was founded by Nancy Parker, herself a survivor. “Giving something pretty, tangible and lasting to a women at the beginning of a difficult journey is a simple but meaningful act,” she said. “It says you are not alone and that you can find comfort as you travel this road.” The program is an outgrowth of Parker’s Travel Toward Wellness, a travel club specializing in health and wellness travel for cancer survivors.

A Cup of Hope is now seeking donations of vintage fine/bone china tea cups and saucers to fill orders for the free gift baskets, which are distributed through hospitals, clinics and oncology offices, Parker said. Each contains a fine cup and saucer, a tin of premium tea, a journal, hand cream and a card with a message of encouragement. Supporters can also donate other items, including baskets. Visit www.traveltowardwellness.com for details on how to donate, request baskets or learn more.

Gift baskets will be provided to interested hospitals, clinics or oncology offices that  contact Parker. “We will also rely on our Travel Toward Wellness club members, supporters and community partners for recommendations,” said Parker. “Our goal is to fulfill as many requests for baskets as possible.”

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea www.gypsytea.com is a supporter of the program. The company, which produces hand-crafted, premium quality, all natural and organic teas that are 100% Fair Trade certified, has donated tins of its specialty teas including Sense of Peace White Tea,  Pom & Petals Decaf Green Tea, Blackforrestberry Biodynamic Green Tea and Red Lavender Herbal Tea.

“We are asking women to dust off that beautiful cup of their grandmother’s stashed away in the back of the cupboard, or to keep their eyes open as they browse in vintage shops,” said Parker. “The beauty of these pieces endures and through A Cup of Hope,  will take on new life. It’s an appropriate analogy for what we hope the recipients will experience.”