Cards by Amy's Angels

Welcome To Our Site!

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We are so excited to be able to take this project live! Thank you taking the time to stop by and see us. Without your support, this project would have never taken off.

Exploring the Site:
There are buttons at the top that bring you to 3 specific areas of our site.

Our Inspiration is an area that talks about our namesake, Amy, and how this project came to be.
Card Samples show off the work of our amazing group of Angels
Contact Us is just that--how you can get in contact with us to request cards.

FAQ's
To check out some FAQ's about our group, you can find that on the left hand side of the blog. There you will find out who makes our cards, how we got started and how we got the name Amy's Angels.

Grab Our Button!
If you're a fellow blogger who is willing to pass on the good news about our project, you can grab the button on the left hand side and add it to your blog. By clicking the button, it will link your readers directly to our site. Isn't technology great?!

FAQ's

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Curious about our project? Wondering how we got our name? Who in the world is Amy? Are you a non profit?

We answer these questions and many more....so read on!

Who's Amy?
While we will never reveal last names (for privacy), Amy is a friend of ours who has recently battled her own cancer. October 2007 Amy was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. After 5 months of chemotherapy and radiation, Amy is now cancer free. Amy is a wife, sister, teacher, church member, Fighting Sioux hockey fan, movie watcher, avid reader, crafter, friend, role model, super organizer, ice-cream lover and so much more to all of us.

To be honest, Amy's pretty awesome.

Why "Amy's Angels"?
The Amy's Angles name has two parts.

First, Amy and 11 of her friends and family members decided to walk in the 2008 Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day through the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation. Because this group of 12 ladies decided to walk together and fund raise as a group, they formed a team in Amy's honor and named it Amy's Angels.

The second part is that Amy has always believed that she is surrounded by angels. While going through her cancer treatments, Amy had many friends and family who frequently made sure Amy and her husband, Marty, were taken care of. From meals, cards, laundry, wrapping presents at Christmas and even just a phone call--the angels in Amy's life made a strong showing.

When this project started to become a reality, a name was needed. After talking to the 3-day walk team, they gave their blessing to use the team name.

Each person who is involved in this project knows Amy personally or they are connected to Amy by one of her friends or family members.

How did your project startOur project started when Amy's friend, Kelley, came across a blog of a woman who was just diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. On her blog, she listed her address (she probably didn't realize that folks can "stumble" upon blogs like Kelley did....). While reading the blog, Kelley said, "I should send her a card."

She then thought, do random people send cards to people they don't know who are fighting cancer? Kelley asked Amy about it. Amy said she did receive cards from people she didn't know, "Why not...why not send cards to people who are fighting cancer? Who cares what kind of cancer. Just send a card!"

Kelley then talked to Amy about the idea of expanding this into a blog and Amy really liked it.

That is how the project began!

I'd like a card sent to someone. What do I do?
Click on the "Contact Us" button at the top of the page (or you can click here) and you'll see what is needed for card requests. We ask that card requests be sent via e-mail so that no personal information is posted on the blog via comments.

I'd like to ask that a card be sent to a caregiver who is helping a cancer patient. Is that OK?
Of course! We'll send cards to anyone. We would just need the same information (name, address, how you know the person, etc.) to make the card personal.

How often are cards sent to a caregiver or cancer patient?
At this time, due to the requests we receive, we are sending one card per person. However, if you like the idea of people sending cards to your loved one, consider asking friends and family to send cards and create a schedule! A card or phone call is often the thing that is needed to lift someone's spirits (and puts a smile on YOUR heart, for doing something so meaningful!).

How much are your cards?
FREE! (how awesome is that?!)

Where will you send cards?
We will send cards to anyone in the world.

As Amy said, "It's 44 cents (or in the case of international postage, 90 cents). Forty-four cents to make someones day is a small price to pay."

I looked at your card designs and I really like a specific card. Can you send that card to my friend/family member?
At this time, we are not taking orders for cards.
If you don't take orders for cards, then why show us what kind of cards you have?
The answer is simple. We want folks to see our cards are more than just a piece of folded cardstock with a sticker slapped on the outside. Handcrafted cards can take over an hour to make depending on the detail involved (that's per card). While it may be disappointing to know that the one card you really liked may not be the one your friend or family member receives--the bottom line is we can't guarantee that the card you want will be available.
Think of it this way: a beautiful, handmade card is coming to your loved one to make their day brighter. That is what really counts, right?

Are you a non-profit?
We are non-profit in the sense that we are not making any money by providing this service. Those involved are doing this on a volunteer basis and we donate our time and the materials for our cards out of our own pocket.

Do you accept donations?
We are still working out the details for donations. Please contact us to discuss what type of donation you'd like to make. Please keep in mind that donations to our project are not tax deductible.

What kind of cards do you send? Are we talking Hallmark or what?
Our cards are handmade.

We're based in Minnesota. It's cold 9 months of the year which means we stay indoors. If you were indoors 9 months a year, you'd do crafts too!

Homemade, eh? Who makes your cards?We have a number of friends and family members who are currently making cards in their spare time for this project. We have a wide variety!

I'm a little nervous about sending someone I don't know, the address to my friend or family member.We recognize that in today's world, people are sneaky.

And as much as we'd like to think that we're sneaky when it comes to keeping secrets and hiding Christmas gifts, we aren't the deceitful kind of sneaky.

Here is the reality....we can't take that "gee..I don't know" feeling away. We want people to know that we are good people with big hearts who simply want to make someones day a little brighter during their cancer treatments. If you'd like for us to write out a card to your friend or family member and have it mailed to you instead, that is an option. But we hope that you'll give us a chance!

OK, I'll send you an address--but what do you do with them after you send the card?
All e-mails containing addresses are deleted two weeks after the cards are mailed. We used to delete addresses right away, but sadly, a few cards were returned to us and without the e-mail we couldn't "track down" who requested the card! So, we now wait 2 weeks and delete the e-mails.

Honestly--we wouldn't even know how to do anything devious with addresses. We can't even get the blog posts to link up correctly some days!

What is the turn around time for card requests?
Our goal is to have cards mailed out within 5 business days of getting the request.

Have a question that you don't see here--ask us! Send us an e-mail to:

cardrequests@gmail.com

Our Inspiration

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On October 5, 2007, everything changed for Amy.

The lump that was found during a routine physical--the one that was examined during an ultrasound, and biopsied--was malignant.

Breast Cancer.

Amy was 33.

For the next 5 months, Amy sat through blood draws, chemotherapy sessions, radiation treatments and even treatment for a blood clot (twice. Don't ask.).

Today, Amy is now cancer free.

While talking with Amy recently, she stated that the one thing that pulled her through her cancer treatments, the days she couldn't move out of bed, the weekends that she wished she had the energy to visit longer with friends and family were cards.

Cards from friends.
Cards from family members.
Cards from people she didn't even know.

So....why not send cards to people who are fighting cancer? Not just breast cancer, any cancer. A homemade card, personally written to help people who are fighting cancer know that someone (or in our case--a group of "someones") is thinking about them.

Encouraging them.
Praying for them.

Amy has said that she always feels that she's surrounded by angels.

And if sending a card to someone who is fighting cancer spreads that same feeling to them during their treatments--then that is just fabulous.

We like fabulous.

You can also hear Amy's story, by watching this video which was part of the 31 Breast Cancer Stories which aired during the month of October.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/20292370/

Contact Us....

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If you have a friend or family member who is currently fighting cancer, and you would like for us to send them a card, please e-mail us at:

cardrequests@gmail.com

Please note: we recommend copying and pasting our e-mail address into a new e-mail message using your favorite e-mail program to insure that your request arrives to us.

We are requesting the following information from you in order to send a card:

Person's name
Type of cancer they are fighting
Address, city, state, zip
Your name
Your relationship with the person

By supplying this information it gives the card a personal touch.

Should you have any questions, please contact us.

Card Samples

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Please note: The cards that are listed here are only a small sample of the types of cards that we use to send to those fighting cancer. Cards are sent out randomly as requests are received. While you may like a specific card sample, we are unable at this time to take "orders" for these specific cards.

Below is a sample of some of the homemade cards our group has made. Our cards are more than just a folded piece of cardstock with a sticker! Our cards are handmade with various types of paper and embellishments. While some cards are intricate in details, others are quite simple in their design. Our cards range from masculine, to feminine to gender neutral.

Thank You's, Kudos and Other Great Feedback

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We feel that it is important for you to see the kinds of feedback that we receive on our cards. Our hope is that we will have so many kind thank you notes that it will take you 2 days to read all of them!

If you want to give us feedback on your experience, please send us an e-mail at: cardrequests@gmail.com

Dated November 15, 2008

Dear Kelley & Amy's Angels
I want to thank you so much for the card I received in the mail today. I was so surprised--it truly brightened my day. Words cannot express the difference people like you & organizations like Amy's Angels make in people's lives. The ongoing strength & support you pass onto cancer patients through your beautiful cards everyday is appreciated more than you know. Thank you for thinking of me & for taking the time to let me know that there are people I've never even met who live hundreds of miles away walking beside me & believing that I can and will win the fight against this awful disease. You ladies truly are angels! Thank you again for your care and support--you turned my day around.

Love--Stacy

Dated December 26, 2008

Just wanted to thank you & tell you how very, very much your card & gift meant to me! It was so nice to know that someone would take a minute out of their day to brighten mine. It made my day!
Thank you--Debra

Dated January 13, 2009

I was so happy when I received and read your card. Now I'm more inspired to fight knowing there's a lot of people wanting to see me make it through my cancer fight. Thanks again and Happy New Year. Hope 2009 will bring you health & happiness.
Love, Erica

PS I saw my oncologist today and my tumor markers went down again! Chemo is working!! it's 46 right now normal is 0-38. Eight more points and I will be on remission again that means beating cancer [a] second time around. I have 3 more chemos. Please pray for me and wish me the best. I hope to beat it soon so I can work again and get my life back. Either way, today's doctors appointment is good news!

Dated January 16, 2009

I received one of these cards last week and it was overwhelming to know that people that did not even know me are praying and thinking of me as I begin my journey with cancer.

Thank you--Mary

Dated January 26, 2009

I want to thank you for your card you sent me. My niece, Janene, passed my name to you. I really appreciate all your positive thoughts. I have now finished my chemo treatments and am doing very well. You are very kind.

Yours--Ann

Dated February 18, 2009

Dear Kelley, I received your card in the mail and wanted to send a quick THANK YOU note!!! I was able to find your email from spirit jumpers.com. I truly appreciate the card you sent. It is so uplifting to know their are others out there that will send notes to lift your spirits when you are down. The organization that you and your friends have started is truly amazing and wonderful. In your card you stated you hoped I stood up and told cancer to kiss off and I just wanted to say I AM!!! My cancer was caught very early and we hope the surgery I had will be my cure. I am on the right path for that to come true. Again, I appreciate the card you sent...it made my day!!!! :)

Sincerely, Jessica

Dated February 24, 2009

Dear Tracy, I received your card. It is so beautiful! You succeeded in lifting my spirits for sure. It's wonderful to know people you don't even know are thinking about you. That's very necessary in this fight.

Cheryl

Dated May 26, 2009

Dear Tracy, than you for the beautiful card! Your kind words and thoughts means so much to our family.

Lisa

Dated June 3, 2009

Dear Tracy, Thank you so much for the card that you sent me. It made my day. It is so nice to know that someone so far away from Ohio cares about you. Even though they don't know you personally.

Larry

Show Us Your Life--Your Ministry

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Today, over at Kelly's Korner, we are being asked to show a blog that is a ministry to others.

Here's the thing: until the other day, I had no idea that my little ol' card blog was a ministry. Once and English teacher, always an English teacher. So, I did what I do best--I used the dictionary. Because honestly, I assumed that a ministry involved a big brick building, steeple with a cross on top, green hymnal books and some coffee cake in the fellowship hall. In other words, in my mind.... ministry = church.

I don't run a church.
I'm certainly not a pastor.
I don't even a play a pastor on this blog.

But what I am doing, apparently falls smack dab in the definition of ministry. Thank you American Heritage Dictionary for clarifying that for me.

How does this blog minister to others?

I make cards and send them to people who are fighting cancer.
Any kind of cancer.
Stage 1 or Stage 4.
Newly diagnosed or battling for years.

Doesn't matter.

Want to read our history? Click here to read how we got started.

You can also check out my friend, Angie, who also makes free card boxes for those fighting cancer.

I, along with a few of my friends, get e-mails from people who ask us to send a card to their friend. That card is handmade and on the inside is a genuine, handwritten, heartfelt note, written by us. That note simply encourages those who are fighting cancer to keep fighting. We tell them that we think about them & pray for them. The notes in our cards are always uplifting and always light hearted.

Our goal for this project is simple: lift the spirits of those fighting cancer--one card at a time.

If you know someone who would benefit from a card, we'd love to send them one! All you need to do is send us an e-mail with the following information:

Their name
Their address**
Your name
How you know them
Type of cancer they're fighting
Any other information that you'll find helpful as we write a personal message (likes, dislikes, etc).

E-mail us at: cardrequests@gmail.com
Please do not leave card requests in the comments box. Addresses & privacy are very important to us--please use the above e-mail to send all card requests.

**if you're not comfortable sharing your friend's address, that's OK. We're happy to write the card and mail it to you so that you can deliver it!

Thank you for stopping by--and be sure to pass along our site to those who may benefit from it!