A Simple Begining

A million letters is no easy task. The only way to collect that many letters is one letter at a time. That is exactly how this organization started. A single letter.

Every school year my mother starts off the year telling her class about being a cancer survivor. She allows her students to ask questions and takes time to answer those questions. A few weeks later, one of her students passed my mom a note that read,

"My mom has breast cancer."

In total shock they both quickly tried to find a way to communicate. With that first note began a chain of letters full of support, advice, and encouragement. The chain of letters branched out from the young boy and my mom to his mom and myself.

I was so impressed how beneficial these letters were for everyone. The young boy and his mother found love and hope within these letters. They discovered that they are not alone and that even in the darkest day there was someone cheering them on. On the other hand, writing letters was equally beneficial to my mother and me. We were able to share our stories to heal others. It was extremely therapeutic to give to those that were in a similar position that we were in.

I saw power in this. I wanted to collect millions of letters that brought hope to all of those involved. At first a million letters sounded interesting and exciting. As I began to read these heartfelt letters the goal changed from an adventure to a mission. I decided that I would make it my life's goal to collect and deliverer one million letters to those facing a cancer diagnoses.

I've had many people ask me,

"Why would you pick a goal that is so unattainable?"

Well.... why not?

I'm not afraid of not reaching my goal. I'm afraid of not trying. Sometimes the greatest risk is not taking one. This goal is not a sprint but a marathon. Each letter that I collect brings comfort to one more person.

Many drops make a bucket, many buckets make a pond, many ponds make a lake, and many lakes make an ocean. - Percy Ross

All my love

Lauren Vanlandingham