Bettyann's Bag Holiday Gift Card Dr
Donation protected
Do what fills your heart. Thanks Mom.
It was just a few years back that I found myself in the position of needing help. Stunned, embarrassed, terrified and ashamed are the words that come to mind when I remember back to how if felt to rely on others to keep our family above water.
We were not prepared--no emergency fund-- as Gene was in grad school so it was tight anyway-medical bills, new daycare expenses and just completely vulnerable to the twists and turns life had in store. It was because of the generosity of this family/community that we were able to put food on the table, pay bills and care for our children while Gene Borja fought his battle with Leukemia--and after 3.5 LONG years he recently finished his LAST treatment in SEPT. Because of the kindness of this community, my children wanted for NOTHING.
We are forever grateful and honored to pay forward the kindness shown to us through this effort, Bettyann's Bag-- Named after my "gone WAY too soon" mother who passed away from Lung Cancer in 2010 at the age of just 60. She was generous and compassionate beyond what we knew when she was alive. This is a way to honor the incredible generous mother she was, a way to honor all of the incredible and generous mothers who supported us during our battle both my mother and my husband's cancer, and way to pay the spirit of caring for each other forward.
As Bettyann's Bag enters our fourth holiday season, please consider donating to this fund, or sending a gift card of any amount--or a old card with a left over balance-- to support the families going through financial hardship during the holiday season.
I have been asked "Why gift Cards?" My answer? Because after my husbands diagnosis in 2013, when I opened my mail box, with my 7 month old and my 2 year old at my side, while their Dad was in the hospital, I got an envelope FULL of gift cards from Linette Limoges Griffith-- a mom I had not seen in years but had heard my story-- I was overwhelmed. That did not happen only once--It happened all the time, from all of you. It did not stop after the diagnosis--you saw us through our ENTIRE Leukemia battle.
When I opened the first envelope I was immediately empowered and felt pride that i would be able to walk into Target, or Safeway and select things for my own children--for my own family-and no one would know the card was gifted to me. There was something so prideful and special knowing another woman had gifted me that feeling without even knowing it. It inspired me so much that as we got on our feet Bettyann's Bag was born.
Our donation remains anonymous. All the recipient receives is an envelope and a card that says "Love, The angels of Bettyann's Bag".
Bettyann's Bag and your donations have helped more than fifty women over these past four years!
If you know a family struggling with a medical crisis please write to me about them and we will put them on our list. Families selected will receive a minimum of $500 to help with the holidays.
All of the nominees come from THIS facebook community. I remain so grateful to be connected to all of you and am honored to pay your kindness forward.
Today, NOV 10th is my mom Bettyann Hinchman's birthday! Thank you for considering a donation in her honor.
100% of donations go to mothers supporting their families through medical crisis.
Exciting news--we are currently in the process of registering Bettyann's Bag as NFP!!! Stay tuned for exciting info and the launch of our website.
Emily Borja and the Angels of Bettyann's Bag!!
It was just a few years back that I found myself in the position of needing help. Stunned, embarrassed, terrified and ashamed are the words that come to mind when I remember back to how if felt to rely on others to keep our family above water.
We were not prepared--no emergency fund-- as Gene was in grad school so it was tight anyway-medical bills, new daycare expenses and just completely vulnerable to the twists and turns life had in store. It was because of the generosity of this family/community that we were able to put food on the table, pay bills and care for our children while Gene Borja fought his battle with Leukemia--and after 3.5 LONG years he recently finished his LAST treatment in SEPT. Because of the kindness of this community, my children wanted for NOTHING.
We are forever grateful and honored to pay forward the kindness shown to us through this effort, Bettyann's Bag-- Named after my "gone WAY too soon" mother who passed away from Lung Cancer in 2010 at the age of just 60. She was generous and compassionate beyond what we knew when she was alive. This is a way to honor the incredible generous mother she was, a way to honor all of the incredible and generous mothers who supported us during our battle both my mother and my husband's cancer, and way to pay the spirit of caring for each other forward.
As Bettyann's Bag enters our fourth holiday season, please consider donating to this fund, or sending a gift card of any amount--or a old card with a left over balance-- to support the families going through financial hardship during the holiday season.
I have been asked "Why gift Cards?" My answer? Because after my husbands diagnosis in 2013, when I opened my mail box, with my 7 month old and my 2 year old at my side, while their Dad was in the hospital, I got an envelope FULL of gift cards from Linette Limoges Griffith-- a mom I had not seen in years but had heard my story-- I was overwhelmed. That did not happen only once--It happened all the time, from all of you. It did not stop after the diagnosis--you saw us through our ENTIRE Leukemia battle.
When I opened the first envelope I was immediately empowered and felt pride that i would be able to walk into Target, or Safeway and select things for my own children--for my own family-and no one would know the card was gifted to me. There was something so prideful and special knowing another woman had gifted me that feeling without even knowing it. It inspired me so much that as we got on our feet Bettyann's Bag was born.
Our donation remains anonymous. All the recipient receives is an envelope and a card that says "Love, The angels of Bettyann's Bag".
Bettyann's Bag and your donations have helped more than fifty women over these past four years!
If you know a family struggling with a medical crisis please write to me about them and we will put them on our list. Families selected will receive a minimum of $500 to help with the holidays.
All of the nominees come from THIS facebook community. I remain so grateful to be connected to all of you and am honored to pay your kindness forward.
Today, NOV 10th is my mom Bettyann Hinchman's birthday! Thank you for considering a donation in her honor.
100% of donations go to mothers supporting their families through medical crisis.
Exciting news--we are currently in the process of registering Bettyann's Bag as NFP!!! Stay tuned for exciting info and the launch of our website.
Emily Borja and the Angels of Bettyann's Bag!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Emily Hinchman-Borja
Organizer
Redwood City, CA
Emily Borja
Beneficiary