MISSION: Birthdays Are For Life.

Cancer is something that I think every single one of us has been touched by in some way. I know I have. And what I love is that the American Cancer Society is the “official sponsor of birthdays.”  Because of the important work the ACS does, so many people get to celebrate another birthday, another year on this earth with those they love and who love them.  And I love birthdays. For me, they don’t symbolize getting older. Instead, they are the anniversary of the day we came into this world…a celebration of our lives, our one-and-only opportunity to bring goodness and love to those around us, friend or foe. A celebration of another year that we get to be here, with and for one another.

What could be more celebratory than that?

When Affiliated Agent LA of Pittsburgh shared this particularly touching mission with me, I knew I wanted to share it here because it really hits home the idea of the SAL Project community. Give, share, love. And then pay it forward.

Here’s what Affiliated Agent LA wrote to me:

My birthday is the first day of Spring and I absolutely LOVE everything about birthdays! It is the one day of the year when everyone has to go out of their way to be nice and spoil you! This year I wanted to “donate” my b-day for a great cause. The American Cancer Society has declared themselves the “official sponsor of birthdays” and I have been a team captain for the “Relay for Life” for the past nine years. It is a cause close to my heart since I have lost many family members to cancer and my father-in-law has recently battled stomach cancer. I decided to throw myself a little girls-only Happy Hour fundraiser party at Mad Mex (my favorite dinner spot) . I asked my closest women to join me for a little b-day shindig and in lieu of a gift for me, I asked them to bring a small donation for the American Cancer Society. We had a great time and raised $200. My beautiful sister also gave me a gift that kept on giving! She knows of my love for Secret Agent L and decided to put together a box of goodies that I could use in future missions. I squealed with delight when I read the card and saw the pink box of treasures. The box contained candy, bubbles, note cards, Target gift cards and more.

I kept the kindness kit handy on my desk and anytime I needed a little pick-me-up over the past few months, I would write out a card and leave it with one of the little presents around the PGH East area. I left gifts at the local hospital reception desk, the community college job office, my workplace and my favorite park.

My 4 and 6 year old kids really enjoyed participating in leaving the presents around town. Thanks to my incredibly thoughtful & creative sister, my birthday was celebrated for much more than a day and was a gift to so many others! It is my hope that other SAL lovers will “steal” this idea and put together their own SAL birthday boxes to gift! Thanks to Laura and Viv for continuing to inspire so many of us to keep on giving.

Thank YOU, Affiliated Agent LA, for your gift of kindness, creativity, and community. And many thanks to your amazing sister for coming up with such a loving and giving birthday gift idea! LOVE IT!