In February 1985 my mother died after a 15-year battle with cancer. The struggle began with breast cancer. Following the radical mastectomy and the chemotherapy, the cancer demon went underground for six years, but returned with a voracious appetite for bones. Survivor was not to be my mother's tag, though she fought valiantly and gracefully for nine more years. At my mother's passing, I vowed that I would honor her too-short life and memory for the remainder of my own life. At first, I donated money to hospice and cancer research. Although I know these organizations need money, just writing a check seemed too easy and not an adequate reflection of how I wanted and needed to honor my mother's memory. Then I discovered Bead Artists against Breast Cancer--it was a perfect fit.
For the first couple of years I donated a beaded basket and a beaded bead to the BAABC auctions. At first that was enough, but I began to feel that I could do more; then it occurred to me that others might be looking for a beady avenue to help as well. I went to my Yahoo group Beady Shenanigans and proposed a what-if idea. It was extremely gratifying when 22 members followed through with their pledge and completed a beaded square. I sewed the squares together to create our first group project "Bead Need" for the BAABC auctions. In 2006 we created yet another quilt entitled "A Bouquet of Beaded Flowers in Memory." But I began to feel a bit dissatisfied with the status quo and wondered if I could do more. In May 2006 I announced the "Bead-It-Forward" project to an international audience through the on-line magazine, The Bead Bugle. I'm tickled to report that 221 people from 34 states and 6 foreign countries contributed 374 squares. The resulting beaded quilts were subsequently auctioned for nearly $5,600!!!
