Yesterday I received this letter from Breast Cancer Care about their fundraising campaign
Pink Fridays.
In the past I have been involved in various fundraising activities for this cause and long time readers of my blog may remember this party three years ago. Do click on the link... it's worth it for the laugh.
It got me thinking (dangerous, I know!) I know several people affected by this and other forms of cancer. Two close friends have had breast cancer and survived past the five year mark which is obviously fabulous news for them. Another friend was diagnosed last year and has had an arduous year of treatment which has just finished. She now has to work on getting strong again. Yet another friend in the village has recently had surgery for the return of lung cancer (despite never having smoked) and just yesterday, the day the letter arrived, I learned of two more friends who have now have to do battle with this dreadful disease. I'm certain all of you reading will know at least one person or be personally affected by cancer.
It makes me feel angry that in this day and age we still don't seem able to prevent, diagnose or treat this dreadful disease more efficiently. I wanted to do something... but my diary is so full for October holding a real Pink Friday event is really out of the question and I'm not sure when I could fit it in ... but then I thought I could hold a virtual Pink Friday and you could join in.
I suppose I should come clean and admit to some selfish motivation here too. You may remember my Marie Antoinette bodice. The plan was always going to be to use knitted cakes as part of the decoration but it just didn't work or look right. So plan B is to construct a huge regency style wig... made entirely from knitted cakes. But unfortunately my knitted cake production is not quite so prolific as my real cake production, so this is where you can help. If you can knit me a cake in any shade/tone of pink... any sort of cake, decorated in any way you like and send it to me by Friday 28th October, I will promise to make a donation to both Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research UK for every single cake received.
On Friday 28th October I will have a Pink Friday Party here on my blog featuring all the cakes I receive. I will have some sort of giveaway for everyone who has taken part... party bags if you like! There will be balloons and real cake too! If you would like to join in please let me know and I can give you my address. If you need a pattern for a cupcake please email me and I can send you one. Please join in... you'll be helping me out and we'll be doing our own small bit to help fight this dreadful disease. Thank you!
I would knit you one, but I can't knit. I'm going to have to learn how to do it though!
ReplyDeleteThink it's lovely what you are doing! :D
Your Cakes look wicked :D xx
I'll certainly have a go Gina. My best mate's just had her reconstruction surgery. Never seen so much stitching. Fab idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful idea. I shall do my best.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super idea Gina and for such a worthy cause. I'm not sure what the outcome will be if I try to knit a cake, but am willing to have a go.
ReplyDeleteProviding they take my cast off soon, I'll certainly knit pink cakes, Fran.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea, Gina. Although I am not a knitter, better at crochet, count me in. If you have a pattern, that would be fab. Catherina
ReplyDeleteMy Mum's sister had breast cancer at 80 so Yes count me in. I'd like a pattern as well I'll email you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a brilliant idea Gina!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll knit 5 cakes, in memory of my Mum and her 4 sisters who all died of either breast or ovarian cancer. I'd appreciate a pattern, knitting will be a lot easier than the Moon walk I did a few years ago, but at least I got to parade through London in my underwear, never did that before well not sober anyway!!!!!
Gina,
ReplyDeleteE mail me that pattern and I'll sharpen those needles just for you.It is the disease that took my Mum from me and I echo every sentiment you've written here, with feeling. Would love to join in with Pink Friday and help out with that wig! Bless you for caring. Lesley x
What a lovely idea, a shame I can't knit but I will enjoy watching everyone elses creations.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina I can knit you a cupcake can you send me a pattern thanks artymess(at)yahoo(dot)com ....xx
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, count me in!!!
ReplyDeleteMy best friend had breast cancer 13 years ago, since her treatment she has completed a degree in textile art and this year a post graduate degree in art therapy which she hopes to use to help cancer sufferers!
Vivienne x
This has come at an opportune time for me too Gina as a friend who has been cancer free for 20 years has just been told that she has secondaries. This is a great idea and I would like to join in. Could you send me a knitting pattern for cup cakes please as I haven't knitted any before. Just need to track down some needles.
ReplyDeletecan't knit very well unless the pattern is easy - can I try and find a crochet cake pattern? - this is such agood idea
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea Gina. I certainly would knit you one if I knew how to knit! Good luck with this wonderful project. Sadly, I also know far too many people who have had to deal with this terrible disease.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely idea, I'll joim in and knit you a cake. Could you email me a pattern please?
ReplyDeletecount me in too - I think I can rustle up a knitted cake, though it's been a while since I made any! Wonderful idea Gina, good luck with the fundraising x
ReplyDeleteGina - would crocheted cakes do? I can't knit but could conjure up some hooky-buns of some description I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteToo many of my family have been taken by the Big C - my aunt just 2months ago, my beloved dad (aged just 60)almost 5 years ago, my grand father...
I just wish woolly cakes could be the cure. As you say, in the day and age why oh why oh why is there no cure?
just to let you all know there are loads of patterns if you Google patterns for knitted or crochet cakes - so count me in Gina as i have a friend who has just completed a years treatment and she has been so fantastic
ReplyDeleteThe timing and irony of this post is quite something Gina. Only yesterday I had a phone call from my Dad to say that tests have shown that he has Cancer. Three other relatives have had cancer and another has had operations for bowel cancer. Plus friends and colleagues. So please count me in. A pattern would be very helpful and I know that a friend at work (who has overcome skin cancer) would like to help as well.
ReplyDeletexx
Hi Gina, I will see what I can do, not sure how much knitting I can do with this wretched polymyalga, but for such agood cause I will try.
ReplyDeleteJust this summer holiday, I have learnt of 4 friends who are facing a battle with cancer,and 2 of these do not have a good prognosis. I have just won some knitting needles from Denise at Craft Arena, so shall put them to good use and make a cake for you. A pattern would be handy, but I have found a link to a possible pattern.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely thing to do Gina - count me in - and can you bring a pattern with you on Weds please x
ReplyDeleteAnother one here who needs you to mail her a pattern please.
ReplyDeletex
Well I can't knit but I could make a teeny glass bead cupcake perhaps because that day is my birthday and I want to celebrate somehow too with you all. What a nice idea you came up with. Maybe I can get my friend Lorna from Artymess to submit one for me.
ReplyDeletexoxo Kim
Your email link didn't work for me Gina, but if you email me at
ReplyDeletehpmartin@uwclub.net I will then be able to email you with my address for the knitting pattern. I tried knitting a cupcake today, twice, and they were both pretty awful! The ones in your photo are so good - I definitely need a pattern.
I'm sure I have a knitted cake pattern lurking about - I will do my best.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished a doughnut which I'll pop in the post to you Gina. I'll do a couple more if I have time. This one is for my Mum.
ReplyDeleteOMG, have you seen my knitting? I'll do my best. And yes please to a pattern!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - I'll see what I can come up with :o)
ReplyDeletexx
I'd love to knit you a cupcake (or donut!) if you email me a pattern Gina.
ReplyDeleteCount me in - I lost a good friend to breast cancer almost 3 years ago and no how horrible this disease can be. Can you sned me a pattern - my e-mail address is on my profile.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to help out and knit a cake - count me in! Where do I need to send it? rebekook@hotmail.co.uk
ReplyDeleteFab idea! x
hi Gina, have crocheted some cakes for you if that's ok? Have been following your blog since I did a workshop you led in Peterborough making tyvek flowers, and have finally started blogging myself (but not very regularly!). Please let me know where to send cakes.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has had treatment for breast cancer I think your fundraising idea is great! I have my knitting needles out and I'm busy knitting now!
ReplyDeleteXMargaret
What a brilliant idea, I'd love to help Gina, if you could email me a pattern & your addy that would be great. Hopefully you can get my email from this comment.
ReplyDeleteAlison x
A fabulous idea and I'll see what I can do.
ReplyDeletexxx Hazel.
Great idea, just found your blog. My Dad has been fighting lung cancer for 2 yrs, more surgery next week. I've a cupcake pattern somewhere, I'll hunt it out! X
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