In the News in Oregon.

Here is another article on our shawl. This time it features our Oregon knitter, Jackie Sario.

#43 CHEYENNE, WYOMING

The shawl arrived while I was away visiting my new grandson. As soon as I returned home, I knit my 6 rows and it is now on its way to Montana!
I knit on this beautiful shawl in memory of 2 very special people in my life: Gail Shearer, who was my knitting mentor and my first employee. She was a master knitter and endured some real hardships in her life. She lost both her son and daughter to cancer, before it took her also. Carla Rae Figgins was a dear friend and customer who fought the fight with as much dignity as she could, but in the end could not beat it.
I knit this in honor of my pastor's wife, Lois Hansen, who recently found out she has breast cancer and is very brave as she starts her quest.
I want to thank Kay for starting this shawl on its journey of life.
Penny Franz
Ewe Count
Cheyenne, WY

#42 IDAHO

I am honored to be the Idaho knitter on this shawl. I was so excited when I learned it was on its way to me. I am knitting this shawl in honor of my dear friend Becky who showed me how a real woman handles such adversity. She always had a positive attitude; she smiled constantly; she went to work every day while taking care of her children and her household; she had complete faith that she would be healed. After her chemo, radiation, and mastectomy, she said that having breast cancer had brought her so many blessings thqat she would not otherwise have had.

I am knitting in the hope that daughters and granddaughters will never have to face this trial.

The shawl visited the Field of Heroes during the Memorial Day holiday.

#41 Oregon

Name: Jackie

Ravelry Name: AThousandCranes

Location: John Day, OR

Occupation: Legal Secretary

Here's what I wrote in the Traveling Journal accompanying the Traveling Shawl:

'My mom, Hisako from Hiroshima, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991. Actually, back then, all of the sisters still alive in her family developed breast cancer within 5 years of each other. How strange. I guess this was yet another reminder of the atomic bomb legacy in our family.

I knew that the lace was a mauve-ish pink but I didn't realize that it was my mom's favorite shade of mauve until I opened the box. What a lovely surprise … made me tear up a bit. If she was still alive, I know that she would've wanted me to knit her one just like it. So, if I don't win the raffle, I guess I'll have to knit a twin sister to the Traveling Shawl in my mom's memory.

I knit my six rows in memory of my mom, Hisako Otani Brown. I knit in honor of all survivors, my loving respect for your strength and beauty represented in this handwork.'

Article in the Salt Lake Tribune

Here is another article. This time in the Salt Lake Tribune.

#40 Utah

Name: Nancy
Ravelry Name: KnitThisPurlThat
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Occupation: Teacher

I had a wonderful experience with the Traveling Shawl...it was touching yet fun. My husband and I took it up to the Olympic Stadium at the University of Utah - the site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics. In the background of the second photo you can see the caldron - it's an amazing sight.

We also took it to the Komen Race For The Cure! I heard there were 18,000 participants this year. We passed out flyers and spoke to many people about the shawl.

I was interviewed for a newspaper article and the paper had a photographer take pictures while I knit my rows. We used the Cancer Wellness House as the setting...it's a wonderful resource in our community.

Finally, here is a photo from my chemo days with the shawl nestled in front. This is where I contemplated what the shawl experience meant to me, and I thought of the women who helped me along the past four years.

I knit in memory of Robyn who inspired me in countless ways as she continued to teach as long as she possibly could.

I knit in memory of Val who told me her cancer had spread to her brain and spine, yet she offered her phone number to me and told me to call if I needed someone to talk to.

I knit for Gina who spends so much time and energy mentoring women online, guiding them through the hardest parts of the journey. Thank you for everything Towanda!

I knit for the women and men who knit chemo caps and afghans for others, giving them one of the best gifts of all - something made from the hands and heart.

I knit for Brenda and Phyllis - my Towanda sisters - who are still in the fight. I think of you often.

And I knit for the women who will find a lump in their breast today...

I found a pin in the airport gift shop, and this was written on the packaging...it sums up my experience with cancer:

Life's Rider

The ride was long and hard and I lost my dreams along the way.

When I arrived, I found them waiting.

- Alice Seely

#39 ALASKA

Name: Monica
Ravelry Name: Snowmagnolia
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
In honor of all breast cancer survivors.