Cancer Fighter fundraiser 2022: MyMimiProject - Canadian Cancer Society - Become a Cancer Fighter

CCS has launched a new fundraising site! Fundraisers registered before June 27 remain active on this site and keep access to their Fundraising Centre.

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Cancer Fighter fundraiser 2022

MyMimiProject

Welcome to the MyMimiProject Fundraising Page! My name is Natalie Robinson, and I am a brain cancer survivor living in Calgary, Alberta. The idea for this fundraising project came to me when I was at the beginning of my cancer treatment in 2018. The original Mimi Bear is an amigurumi bear that I made for my mother to take with her to Australia on a trip with my father to visit my son who was living there at the time. I was inspired by my mother’s ‘Grandmama’ love for her grandchildren when I crocheted Mimi. This little bear reflects the love and wisdom of my mother, and the love and care I wished to send along with her for my son.

We decided on her name together; Mimi is the name for Grandmother that I have always loved, and the name I hope my grandchildren will call me, someday. My mom takes Mimi on all her travels now, and she sends me photos of the little bear in different places J Mimi came with my family when they flew to the US when I was very ill and first received my diagnosis, and she came again with my parents to visit during my radiation treatments!

At the Neuro ICU in Philadelphia in April 2018, I was initially given the diagnosis of a lung tumour that had metastasized to tumours in my brain and spine. I thought I was a goner. I did not think I would live to leave the hospital, and every bit of the early news from the doctors was bad.

I was so scared, and so sad, but, most of all, I was really, really pissed off. Through the confusion and pain, I was so angry about all the things I would not live to do. I was only 51 years old at the time, and I have not yet travelled to Africa, I want to go to Russia, and I want to return to Rome with my husband

(and my children this time), and… I have travelled a lot in my life, but I have so many places I still want to see. I did not once think of my work, of my unfinished PhD, or any material things, and I will always take that lesson with me.

The thing I was the most upset about, the thing that made me so, so angry was the idea that I would not have a chance to be a grandmother, a Mimi. Not that I am in a rush for this (and it is not up to me anyway!), but the important things become crystal clear when you think you might not see tomorrow. I was so angry because I knew I would be a fabulous grandmother- damn it!! I love rollercoasters and Disney movies. I have so many amazing books, and I love to make pies. I know all about fairy tales, and I can tell them over and over…this was all racing through my mind (my pain-filled, and, later, heavily-medicated brain). I knew that to realize the things I really, really wanted I would have to survive this crisis; the task of living through that first day/week/month became My Mimi Project.

 

Over the course of my recovery, the project took shape with the help of the Canadian Cancer Society, and I set up an online shop to raise funds by selling the Mimi Bears (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyMimiProjectI crochet each Mimi Bear myself, and each one seems to connect with their eventual recipient! My goal is to bring together all that ‘Mimi’ has come to represent with the fight against brain cancer/brain cancer research. I donate $20 from the purchase of each item to the Canadian Cancer Society. Mimi has been an important presence through my health journey! I know it sounds weird that a tiny yarn creature has come to represent so much to me,

but so much of my personal journey with brain cancer has been very, very weird with moments of beauty in the mix. I want Mimi to help others as she helped me. I would love everyone to have a Mimi to give to their loved ones to take along on their own travels. I would love everyone to receive a Mimi imbued with all the love and wisdom of someone who only wishes the best for them as they travel the world and navigate through life’s struggles. I see her as a talisman of care and strength given from one to another to serve as a reminder that you are loved, and as a reminder of where and who you come from when you are far from home or feeling lost in any way. N xo

 

Please visit the Etsy store (link to site above) and/or donate directly through the link on this page. MyMimiProject is a cause-related marketing initiative supported by the Canadian Cancer Society. @MyMimiProject on Instagram.

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Proceeds from our fundraiser will support the fight against cancer

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Natalie Robinson/ MyMimiProject
$1,200
Natalie Robinson/MYMIMIPROJECT
$1,000
$2,200.00 raised
73%
$3,000.00
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