Bonnie Julius and Carole Tronekeep the memory and spirit of Crickett Julius alive by helping other women with breast cancer feel good about themselves while going through treatment.
Crickett was just 39 when diagnosed with a breast cancer that had already spread to her liver. Four and a half months later she died despite intensive treatment to prolong her life.
Bonnie, Crickett’s mom and Carole, her cousin and dear friend were devasted by Crickett’s death and needed a way to turn their pain and loss into something that would honor Crickett.
Together they founded Crickett’s Answer for Cancer, a nonprofit organization that provides breast cancer patients with wigs, mastectomy and lymphedema products, massage, facials, and other pampering services, as a way to help women feel feminine and beautiful despite losing their hair and/or breasts.
Crickett’s Answer for Cancer does not carry an inventory of these items. Instead, they find a vendor or service provider in a breast cancer patient’s area and pay them directly on the patient’s behalf for 100% of the cost of these items and services.
As Bonnie Julius describes it,”A woman with breast cancer often feels a loss of her identity and self-esteem as a woman, but may consider the items we provide as frivolous and is not comfortable spending money on them. Like many women, she may be busy caring for her children, family, and possibly even her own parents… all at once. As a result, she may place herself last on the priority list.
Crickett’s Answer for Cancer reminds women with breast cancer to care for themselves too, as feeling good about themselves and having time for relaxation are important for healing, and for managing life with breast cancer. By providing no-cost products and services, we honor these courageous women with breast cancer, as well as the memory of Crickett Julius.”
Carole sums up her commitment by saying. “Until breast cancer is completely eradicated, Crickett’s Answer for Cancer will offer its compassionate support to women with breast cancer… all the while telling Crickett’s story to keep her memory alive. The life journey Crickett and I shared was interrupted, but has been re-directed on a powerful and productive course.”
For more information about the work of this organization, or to register for their breast cancer services, go to crickettsanswerforcancer.org
