My name is Melissa and my husband, Jeff, and I were the recipients of the first annual Wedding Pink presented by Cheryl Ungar Gives. Cheryl asked me to be a guest writer for her blog to give readers the perspective from the point of view of the winners.
There really are not enough words to express how grateful Jeff and I are for receiving this gift. I remember when I received Cheryl’s phone call telling me we had won. I was at work, trying not to scream, while I got high-fives from my boss. I couldn’t get anyone on the phone to tell them the good news so I had to contain my excitement until people finally started returning my phone calls.
The Wedding Pink is a wedding giveaway, but it has proven to be so much more than that. As Jeff and I started meeting Cheryl and the other vendors, we quickly realized that the people involved were our angels. Absolutely everyone we met was so caring and willing to help, out of the goodness of their hearts. I believe Jeff and I have made lifelong friends from this event.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 I can honestly say I was in the prime of my life. Young, healthy, active; I never thought news like a cancer diagnosis will come so soon. My day planner quickly became filled with daily visits to the doctors. Cancer is a like a part-time job, although it certainly doesn’t pay. After grueling surgeries and chemotherapy Jeff proposed to me. I was thrilled knowing my dreams were coming true; however, the thought of planning a wedding on my own felt overwhelming. Winning The Wedding Pink not only helped my family and me financially with an amazing wedding, it also gave me the help I needed to plan the wedding of my dreams. Cancer takes a toll on the patient but it is also a huge burden for the friends and family members involved. The Wedding Pink was really a gift to everyone who knows me.
TC of Muse Events, our wedding planner, worked tirelessly to make sure our wedding was everything we hoped for. She gave us total creative freedom while also taking much of the burden off our shoulders. There are too many amazing people to list here, but we are thankful to each and every person who participated. We can all take a lesson on compassion from all involved with The Wedding Pink.
Cheryl has been instrumental in making this amazing event happen and we are forever grateful for her. She is not only an amazing photographer, but she has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. Being that she is a twenty year breast cancer survivor, she gives me hope to know that I have a long and happy future ahead of me.
I also hope that The Wedding Pink acts as a way to spread the word about breast cancer. Yes, we are all bombarded with seas of pink everywhere we go during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But for survivors like us, we think about cancer every single day of our lives. Cancer does not discriminate. I am your sister, daughter, granddaughter, cousin, friend, and your wife. Too many people are affected but love truly heals and a good deed can make a huge impact.
Thank you,
Melissa Childs
www.mylifeline.org/melissazannis
Melissa and Jeff late August 2010 after they were selected as the recipients of The Wedding Pink and then walking down the aisle as husband and wife, eight months later.