Think Pink Challenge

According to BreastCancer.org, a woman in the United states is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes! Over 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed each year, along with over 50,000 new cases of non-invasisve breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leacing cancer among white and African-American women, with the latter being more likely to die as a result.

With statistics like these, it is very likely that if you're a woman reading this post, you have had, or know of someone who has had, a run-in of one sort or another with this incidious disease. It is terrifying, life-altering, and it cuts to the very core of our womanhood. But at the same time, I never cease to be amazed at the tremendous courage, encouragement and resilience I see from women who are fighting and those who have survived this cruel killer.

There is much that needs to be done to fight this disease, and there is no shortage of opportunities to encourage and support those who are fighting it, to celebrate with its survivors and to support efforts to find a cure. Even though October is the official month for increasing Breast Cancer awareness, tell that to women who are diagnosed with this disease in February, May or December. Why wait until October when there are hundreds of thousands of women, their families and friends who are dealing with this dreaded disease at this very moment?

There are a number of ways we can help, but there's one in particular that God has laid on my heart. My prayer is that through Soulful Knitting Ministries, we can collectively knit (or crochet) 1,000 pink scarves for women facing breast cancer. By taking the time to knit these scarves, and praying for the health and healing of their recipients in the process, we can make a tremendous difference in the lives of these women. God has shown me an image of a photograph of a mountain of beautiful pink scarves. By knitting this mountain, one scarf at a time, imagine the lives we can touch.

So, I invite each of you to participate in the 1st Annual Think Pink Challenge. Here are the parameters:

WHAT:
A pink scarf (knit or crochet) in the pattern of your choice, using the yarn(s) of your choice.

HOW MANY:
At least one, but prayerfully, as many as you can between now and the end of September (more details to follow). Imagine if each of us committed to just one scarf a month between now and September! And of course, be sure to tell as many knitters about this as you can... the more the merrier!

WHERE:
Please send the scarves to me and I will arrange to have them sent to the American Cancer Society in time for their October Awareness drive. Besides, by sending them to me, I can have that photograph of the pink mountain taken and posted here! :)

Sydney Thomas
Soulful Knitting Ministries
c/o Grace Bay Publishing
PO Box 383
Sutherland VA 23885

Please be sure to include your name, address and e-mail address with your scarf!

SPECIAL NOTE - CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!!!
If you'd like to design a special pink scarf for this project, please do so. Be sure to let me know that you have designed it when you send it in... 12 talented knitters could have their scarf pattern featured in a fundraising calender to raise even more money to fight Breast Cancer.