Happy November 1st everyone! I can’t believe how fast the time flies. Wasn’t it just August? November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and you may know that this is an important cause for me. I realize we’ve seen a lot of pink ribbons lately and all cancer awareness is amazing, but let’s give it up for the purple ribbon this month.

I decided earlier this year to donate 5% of all the proceeds from my paintings to the Lustgarten Foundation, where 100% of every donation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. I’m so thankful to be able to do this and I’m happy to announce that in just a few months I’ve donated nearly $250!

Why pancreatic cancer? I lost my father to this disease. He was only 53. This was the first time I had heard about this type of cancer and wasn’t sure what to expect. He past away less than two months after being diagnosed. Since then, I’ve come to know wonderful people who also have lost family to this disease. This is a rough cancer and not many people survive. The sad things is that it doesn’t get too much visibility and only receive 2% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget.

This is my way of helping and I’m so grateful I can. It makes me very proud to know that every time I sell a painting, I bring joy to the new owner and raise dollars to very important research.

So here’s a big thank you to everyone who has bought a painting of mine in the last six months! I love that you love my art and I really appreciate it!

e.

p.s I initially included a photo of me and my father in this post but decided against it in the end. I would love to share it with you another day instead. It just didn’t feel right for this post. I don’t want to define my father by what he died from but rather how he lived. He was an amazing man and father. I still learn from him every day.

If you would like to make a donation or learn more, visit www.lustgarten.org.