Vanessa loves sharing her Live Sincerely story by giving out magnets, buttons and cards — many of you may have even been recipients! As her breast cancer has spread to her brain and elsewhere, she is now in hospice. Help us spread the Live Sincerely message to even more people.
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Vanessa Tiemeier has been battling breast cancer for 7 years, after being diagnosed at age 25. She is now in hospice with stage IV cancer (including bone and brain metastases).
We're Jessica and Christina, her sisters. Before Vanessa's diagnosis, the three of us had started a graphic design company together (Blustery Day Design). We brainstormed for five hours to come up with a business motto that summed up the way we felt, not only about graphic design but also about life. We ended up with "Live Sincerely."
In 2006, middle sister Vanessa began her journey with breast cancer. She later adopted "Live Sincerely" as her personal motto, even tattooing it with a pink peony on her ankle in an unexpected (but awesome) move. In February 2010, we learned that Vanessa is dying of stage IV advanced breast cancer.
The Live Sincerely Project is our labor of love. We started it soon after the stage IV diagnosis, beginning by making Live Sincerely buttons and magnets. These we gave away by the hundreds to friends and strangers alike. We (Jessica and Christina) also wrote a Live Sincerely Pledge and began to invite people to sign it on our website at TheLiveSincerelyProject.com. We are delighted and humbled that over 2000 people from all over the world have signed the pledge so far.
Even as the cancer continued to affect her personality and cognitive abilities, Vanessa did not lose her drive to share generously the Live Sincerely message. She gave everyone she saw a pin or a magnet: doctors, nurses, waitresses, the grocery deli counter guy... anyone willing to listen, she would tell to live in an authentic way, with purpose and with love.
As Vanessa's health now rapidly declines, we feel an urgency around spreading this message that is so dear to her. Your t-shirt purchase will help us continue to make and purchase the items that we give out to spread our message. We will also use funds raised to help pay for the hosting and other website costs for TheLiveSincerelyProject.com, which has allowed us to share our experiences and updates on Vanessa. We want to reach as many people as possible with the invitation to Live Sincerely — so wear your shirts everywhere, too! :) THANK YOU for your help.
Supporters
Living sincerely!
In honor of V's courage and strength!
Vanessa was a lovely lady! I got the chance to meet her at The Scar Project. She will be missed. May her soul rest in peace but her project lives on!
I am supporting this campaign because after I heard Vanessa speak out about her journey at The Karen Wellington Foundation brunch about a year ago, I have been inspired by her love to others on Living Sincerely. You sure left an impact on M A N Y.
For "V" - thank you for being YOU...a true inspiration. You will be missed by all.