Purple Scarf - Pancreatic Cancer Sucks

Last week's Pinterest challenge was this awesome fringy scarf.  But, it's the story behind the scarf that I want to talk about.

What is that story? Will you tell me? Will you tell me while I wear this awesome fringy scarf?

Pancreatic cancer is awful.  It's tremendously difficult to diagnose, and has an extremely low survival rate.  According to the NIH, "Ninety-five percent of the people diagnosed with this cancer will not be alive 5 years later."

My friend, Megg, has this blog, and one day she used some strong language.  I understand that strong language, having lost a few close to me to cancer.  She said she was feeling powerless, and wished she could DO SOMETHING.

So, we came up with this idea to sell purple scarves, and donate the money from the sales to help find a cure for Pancreatic cancer.

Here's her post, "Calling All Knitters":

I have a personal vendetta against pancreatic cancer.
I'm collecting purple scarves to sell for Pancreatic cancer awareness. ALL money (not just profits) will be donated to pancan.org.

Here are some facts about pancreatic cancer:

• The pancreas is used to produce insulin. Due to the fact that it doesn't have any nerves, pancreatic cancer often isn't diagnosed or even noticed until it has spread.
• There are very few treatments for pancreatic cancer.
• Only 2% of the American Cancer Society's research budget goes toward pancreatic cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
• The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 3-6 months.
• There are no early detection tools for pancreatic cancer.

I know what you're thinking. Everyone has a cause, and mine happens to be pancreatic cancer. Yours may be diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, ALS or any number of horrible diseases that have touched your life. You can't help all of them.

My request is simple. Make me a scarf. The scarves will be sold for $15 (I'm looking into how to sell them, but I'm going to start on my Etsy shop) and all that money will go toward pancreatic cancer awareness. Do you knit or crochet? Please consider making me just one scarf. I can't do it all...I need your help.
{I am requesting purple scarves, since that is the color of pancreatic cancer awareness. All shades, patterns and types of purple scarves will be accepted!}

Don't knit or crochet? That's OK. Would you consider buying a scarf? I'm planning on setting up a paypal for this alone, separate from my personal one.
Cancer has touched almost everyone. Please consider donating or helping me out, no matter what your personal cause is.

If you're interested in making or buying a scarf (I'm hoping to have WAY more options that my one, soon!) please email me at crazymegg at gmail.

***

 It is difficult to be angry at something that isn't sentient, like cancer.  But. We. Are. Angry.  We know those purple scarves aren't the solution, but it gives us something to do, to keep us busy and help focus that anger into something productive.

If you're a knitter and want to help, contact me or Megg.  

Here's the scarf I made, modelled by my amazing sister.  I will keep making scarves and posting about them here.  And Megg will be selling them here.  Thanks for reading.

Look how fringy! And purple! I just know the money from the sale of this scarf will be what cures Pancreatic cancer.