When I went to TNNA earlier this year I was very impressed to learn about Cast Off Chemo! It's a charity organization with a unique mission - funding a nonprofit effort to raise funds for a clinical trial for a cancer treatment that wouldn’t involve chemotherapy. And to help spread the word, I've got a giveaway here on Moogly!
Now, I'm not a scientist, so I'll share how this all started in their own words:
Dr. David Krag, a research surgeon at the University of Vermont, has a promising immunotherapy treatment that must go to clinical trials before it can be FDA-approved. The technique uses the patient’s own antibodies to fight off the disease. Dr. Krag previously discovered the sentinel node tracer technique, which reduces the need for radical mastectomy and enables needle biopsy procedures. He is very committed to finding an alternative treatment for cancerous tumors. The treatment that he is trying to bring to clinical trials uses the patient's own antibodies to fight off the disease: immunotherapy.
Cast Off Chemo! is a program under the SD Ireland Cancer Research Fund, a nonprofit created by a family member of one of Dr. Krag’s patients. All the funds raised will go to the goal of raising $1 million for the clinical trial. This is groundbreaking stuff - the ability to fight cancer without chemo!
And the yarny connection? Linda Krag is Dr. David Krag's sister-in-law, and the Owner/President of Denise Interchangeables! And many designers, authors, teachers, and yarny people have joined the cause.
There are lots of options to help support them too. You can also donate directly at CastOffChemo.org, or buy a variety of knit and crochet patterns for $5 from Cast Off Chemo!’s Ravelry store. The full $5.00 goes to Cast Off Chemo! New patterns are being added all the time.
Or you can join in the Buy the Best special Ebay Auction happening right now! There are gorgeous yarns, knitting needles, crochet sets, subscriptions, notions, totes, online classes, and lots of other great surprises! The auction ends October 11th, so get over there right away!
Please consider doing what you can to help Cast Off Chemo! We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and more treatment options is a very good thing. Cast Off Chemo! is an all-volunteer effort, and all donations are tax deductible.
And to help get you excited, and spread the word, I'm offering 5 of the special CDs created just for this cause. "Between the Stitches" is an album of piano music by Peter Krag, son of Dr. David Krag! As is Jessie at Home - stop by her giveaway for more chances to win!
The "Between the Stitches" giveaway on Moogly is open worldwide, and ends 10/13/15 at 12:15am Central US time. Five winners will be chosen. To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. You may need to use a desktop if you have trouble on mobile. Only the email address is mandatory, all other options are for bonus entries only.
Good luck everybody! Get Moogly on your favorite social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, G+, Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr, and sign up for the free Newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!
Crystal Wall says
As someone who is dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis of stage 3 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma I would love to win these. Chemo is a terrible thing and I am interested in any way to make it better. Thanks so much for sharing. My fingers are crossed!
Shannon says
I love seeing how research is changing how diseases are treated! But do remember that Chemotherapy is a blanket term for several different medications that treat a large range of illnesses. While this is a great step forward for the patients it can help with, chemotherapy will be around regardless.
Anne says
Husband has Stage IV lung cancer that mastized, diagnosed Mothers Day. Chemo tore him up. Ten trips to ER AND three admissions to hospital. I sure could of used this to relax and stitch on those trips. More radiation treatments to come.
Tamara Kelly says
<3 I'm so sorry Anne. My father recently got a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis myself, and is also going through chemo. You will both be in my thoughts!
Kelly says
Today marks 3 years exactly since my 6 month old underwent his first chemo treatment for bilateral retinoblastoma. One of the worst days of my life without doubt. Any advancement in treatment makes my heart sing and to see that and crochet in the same post? Well that's just a win win 🙂 well done and thank you for supporting something so close to my heart x
Tamara Kelly says
<3 Best wishes to you both! I can only imagine.
Reece says
I hope that this cause will become successful. A very young family member of mine recently had to begin chemo, and she says it's horrible. Please raise that money, and keep crocheting!
alison says
I have recently undergone a lumpectomy and am now facing a regime which will include chemo. I am lucky enough to have caught it in the early stages so my prognosis is good . Crochet has been my solace and comfort at a very difficult time and my local cancer charities will benefit. Ladies, PLEASE check yourselves regularly , it makes an awful lot of difference. I might not be looking forward to the follow-up treatments but at least I know that ongoing research will help all future sufferers .Thank you to all those pioneers , such as Dr Krag.
Tamara Kelly says
<3 All my best, alison!