put a cork on cancer!

Don’t throw out the corks from all those wine bottles you went through on Thanksgiving! We’ve told you before about how to recycle them, but here’s an even better way to use them to do good this holiday season.

I saw this on Dawn Carroll’s Facebook page. Dawn is the co-founder of the Over My Shoulder Foundation, a media-based project with a goal of increasing participation in mentoring both cross-culturally and cross-generationally. I “met” her through my dear friend, Amy Wise (and can’t wait to meet her in real life!).

Here is what Dawn re-posted from her friend, Johanna Leigh:

So next week I am launching Put A Cork On Cancer. If you are interested in participating, please email me at shelovesvino@gmail.com. Here is my story, my plan, my legacy. My new endeavor.

I’ve wanted my whole life to do things for others. A month ago I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Even after a month of bearing the worst possible prognosis, I still feel the need to do more. If possible to leave a legacy to help others. I start chemotherapy again in five days but thought of a cause worth fighting for. My cause, the rare cancer I have, needs research and funding. As a person who has worked in the restaurant industry in Boston at the best of the best over the last 30 years, I thought, it should start with my own community — the restaurant and hospitality community. Restaurants and patrons of the Boston area. I am beyond grateful to live in a city where Massachusetts General Hospital exists and such research is possible.

To incorporate my passion for wine I came up with this idea: Put a Cork on Cancer. Save corks from top restaurants, make trivets, and raise awareness and, maybe in the process, some funding could be acquired for this much needed research EGFR rare cancer mutation. With the right research, this could change history. No more traditional chemo. Instead, a pill. Can you imagine?

I’m starting with a simple request. Here is a top hat with all the potential of what you make it. Do it as a team, as a contest, as just a good cause. Or just for me to prove we are a community of heart. Many ways to contribute:

1. Donate your corks. Contribute good corks for a good cause we can use for trivets. It would make people feel good to throw one in for the cause.

2. Make it fun. Employees, patrons can staple cash or check to a cork. Please get their names. We are ever grateful and want to thank all of you.

3. Donate through a premium trivet made special for you for $100.00. If corks come in by the 20th, they can be ready for Christmas.

4. Donate individually via email send donations to Paypal for Johanna’s Journey to shelovesvino@gmail.com.

Put a Cork on Cancer — we’ll drink to that! And be sure to follow Johanna on Twitter @shelovesvino