Hi! Karla and Susie here.

When a loved one is suffering from cancer, it’s easy to feel helpless and at a loss for words. At Project Ribbon, we believe in the curative magic of small acts of kindness – for both the givers and the recipients. We designed our heartfelt, one-of-a-kind gift to lend inspiration and courage for those enduring this challenging time. A Project Ribbon gift isn’t just a gesture – it’s a statement of belief in the power of healing and a daily reminder that the finish line is in sight… When you have an army of support behind you, nothing is impossible.

For the last 25 years, I have worked in the corporate arena in luxury sales and marketing.  Being a female “Road Warrior” certainly has its challenges. I was working 60-70 hours per week, at an elevated stress level.  It was the same routine daily, as I woke up each morning at 6 am, prepared for work and hit the road.  Challenging, but ultimately, I knew something was missing.

When my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, my priorities immediately shifted.  I realized that NOTHING would stand in the way of me tending to my mother. It was a long road but ultimately, she beat it… and I went back to my 60 to 70 hour work weeks. But I never went back to taking for granted what was most important in life… health, family, and empathy for those in need.

In 2014 my dear friend Lisa was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. As you can imagine it was a daunting time.  This is when I came up with an idea to involve her friends and family and create the original “Countdown” to inspire Lisa to get through her 16 chemo treatments.

Karla and I had been brainstorming for over a year about something we could create to help encourage patients to get through their chemo and radiation treatments. I thought about the comfort and joy the gifts and cards that were given to Lisa brought her each night before her treatment.  I remember her saying “It helped me to remember I am not just fighting for me, but for those who love and care about me…” and this is how Project Ribbon was born. Nothing like this concept existed prior to now.

What I am most proud of in my life are my two amazing, compassionate children who are adults now and have their own lives. While my kids were growing up, I followed many career paths through the years, from working as a flight attendant to going to photography school. The most fulfilling part of that journey was owning yoga studios and seeing the difference in our client’s physical and mental health first hand.

I sold my yoga studios when we moved our family from Arizona to a small beach community in Southern California. I wanted to find a gratifying career once my family was settled and worked in sales for multiple companies along the way. After doing the 9 to 5 for so many years, I needed a change and wanted to pursue a business of my own, something that could help people and make a difference as my yoga studios did.

Around this time, my good friend Susie approached me with an idea to help others going through chemotherapy with a countdown calendar. She had made one for our mutual friend and invited me to participate with the countdown. Our friend Lisa said the countdown calendar was a major part in helping her get through the 16 treatments she had to endure.

We hope our Project Ribbon Countdown Calendar can help others going through their treatments to show how much their friends and family care, and to support them through one of the most challenging times in their lives.