Hello Mindy!
 
Under Collections, sub-category Health Awareness, can we add two sub-sub categories: Cancer Survivor/Anniversary and (something like) Cancer/Words of Encouragement?
 
Also, National Cancer Survivor's Day is the second Sunday in June. Can we do something with that?
 
Thanks!
 
Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl

A lot of the time, people have trouble articulating how they feel about a friend or relative having cancer (there's nothing shameful in getting an illness however groping for words can be awkward) so it's nice to have a card that expresses their feelings for them. With this kind of card, we believe it isn't so much the image that's important, it's the sentiment.
 
In our experience, there seems to be a market for these kind of cards, although how big that market is, time alone will tell. American Greetings, the American Cancer Society, Hallmark and a number of artists make cards for the cancer survival/encouragement market, many of them available in hospital gift-shops. There is also a world-wide Cancer Survivor's Day (since 2003, I think) when survivors get together to celebrate life.
 
Why not categories to fit?
 
Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl
 
 

Corrie, Thats a wonderful idea, I was given three months to live back in 1998,and here I am, a ten year surviver.  But Sue is right too, It's still a very hush hush
subject.  In the community [and my extended family] the big C is never mentioned
in my presence.  The subject would have to be handled very carefully and with
compassion.  I know from my experience though it would really be appreciated.

This definitely needs to be a category!  There are so many more of us surviving cancer these days, for long periods of time.  (I've lived more years AFTER cancer than before, and part of that I attribute to the amazing support I've had over the years from friends and family!)
 
It DOES make a difference. . . a kind word of encouragement and empathy goes a long way in ones recovery. . . and to make someone laugh?!  That can be better medicine than most drugs!  I don't think these cards should be in a "sympathy" category. . . they should be in a "celebration of life" category.  I think we can do a great service here.
 
Ernestine

Thanks Mindy!
 
Now here's another suggestion we thought we'd throw out there... how about cards for cancer patients or people undergoing cancer treatment to send to their friends and family? We had two different ideas in mind.
 
First, cards for patients thanking family/friends for their support (their phone calls, letters, encouragement, food, etc.) - we thought something like Appreciation of Support as a subcategory.
 
Second, cards for patients to send to people that they could personalize with news about how they're doing, how the treatment is going, what's new, etc. It's extremely tiring for the patient and their immediate family (not to mention a not very positive experience) to have to repeat the same news to well-wishers over and over again. Patients are grateful, of course, but at the same time exhausted and have to save their energy for other things. How much easier would it be to order a bunch of cards at GCU and only have to write their update/progress report once? As far as a category name, we're kind of stumped though. Any suggestions?
 
Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl

Thanks Mindy! We've got three cards waiting approval so far... we'll be adding more.
 
Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl

Hi Norval!
 
I added colon and prostate to the keywords, which is pretty much at the limit now. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
And I will be making more thank you caregiver cards along with the rest.
 
Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl