Inspirational
Stories...Sayings...Experiences

My name is Dana Perri and I am a breast cancer survivor. My journey of diagnosis and recovery has been one of great opportunity. It has led me down a path of wanting to live more thoughtfully and make a mindful splash in this world. With that in mind, I created Think then Jump™ and focused on writing children’s stories with that theme. For me, Think then Jump™ is an attitude, a mantra for how to live fully and gratefully. I believe it is important to take action but equally important to be thoughtful in your actions. It seems like such a simple idea but how many of us actually take a moment to think about what we say and do. My goal was to slow people down a bit in this ever rapid, fast-paced world of Instant Message, texting, Twitter and all the rest. We often type in, shout out, act out before we think of our behavior. Think Then Jump™ is a gentle reminder to think first, then you will naturally do the right thing.

During my recovery, I came to know, and truly understand the need to be thought of, to be loved for and cared about. I had everything I needed in order to heal and recover; great doctors, a strong family unit, many friends, much love and support. I often thought of the women who might not have the same opportunities, not have friends and family close by or someone who can lend a helping hand. How do they heal? So, in an effort to help, I participated in fund raising events for some of the bigger foundations. But soon realized that although worthy, I really didn’t know where the money or efforts were going. Which women are being helped, and how? And so I thought before my next leap.

On my journey, I was introduced to Hillary Sweet and Friends For Life Foundation and felt an immediate connection. FFLF is the embodiment of thoughtfulness. They help the individual and the family. They see the immediate need. They think of the person first. Often times in our national pursuit to raise money for research, we forget the daily struggles and needs of a woman trying to recover. Hillary and her team of “friends” turn their focus to the day in and day out issues involved in being a cancer survivor. They are friends. Friends who are there to assist with the things big and small.

Through the foundation, they provide information, seminars, doctors and alternative choices that all help and benefit the patient. But mostly, they provide a comfort zone, a place to come to, friends to call, services that help with the day-to-day living of healing oneself. What could be more thoughtful than that?

And so, Think Then Jump™ met Friends For Life Foundation. And in my thinking, I jumped on a journey to spread kindness and thoughtfulness by giving back and donating a portion of my proceeds to the Friends For Life Foundation, an organization who truly puts people in need first.
 

Submitted by Kids For Life Friend...Nicole Scotto

“Hope is the thing with feathers”
by Emily Dickinson

"Hope" is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words-
And never stops- at all-

And sweetest -in the Gale- is heard-
And sore must be the storm-
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm-

I've heard it in the chilliest land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb-of Me