ON SALE NOW FROM LOUVE DE LAINE BY ADELE CROTEAU
In honour of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip's final tour, 100% of proceeds from all grey Louve de Laine items will go to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research / Sunnybrook Hospital. Visit Louve de Laine on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or email me: adelecroteau@gmail.com or louvedelaine@gmail.com
If you're Canadian, you probably have much of The Tragically Hip's songbook somewhere on the soundtrack of your life. So you were probably deeply affected, as I was, by the recent news of Gord Downie's diagnosis of terminal brain cancer.
The band shared this sad news on their website on May 24, and then promptly announced an upcoming tour. In their words: "What we in The Hip receive, each time we play together, is a connection; with each other; with the music and its magic; and during the shows, a connection with all of you, our incredible fans." I think I can speak for all Hip fans when I say that we feel the same - the same connection, the same magic from the music.
It's that sense of connection that compels me to dedicate all proceeds from my grey Louve de Laine wares as a tribute to Gord Downie, to a cause he and The Hip believe in. So that we - the fans - can continue to be connected to the band we all love.
Why I'm doing this
Cancer entered my life in 2007, when my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. One year later, sadly, she earned her angel wings. Then in 2013, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, at age 37. I'm one of the lucky ones; my cancer wasn't terminal, and I was able to defeat it.
So how is this related to knitting? My mom was a passionate knitter and always wanted to teach me the art. Thinking I would have more time with her, I kept pushing it off. When she passed away, I became obsessed with learning how to knit - and I did learn. I also wanted to do what I could to increase awareness and raise funds for cancer research, so I've been selling handknit items for the last few years, and donating the proceeds to a range of related organizations, including Canadian Cancer Society, Ovarian Cancer Canada and The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
After hearing the news about Gord, frontman extraordinaire for The Hip, I knew I had to do something. So I am; I'm Going Grey for Gord.
Grey is the colour of brain tumour awareness. From now until The Hip's Man Machine Poem tour wraps on August 20, I will donate 100% of the proceeds from all grey Louve de Laine scarves and neckwarmers to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research / Sunnybrook Hospital. I invite all you Hip fans to buy in: Show Gord how much Canada cares by purchasing one of Louve de Laine's grey wares. Because in the end, we all need something to wear, to cover up from the cold wind running....
Message to Gord
My most sincere congratulations to you on your positivity and strength during such a challenging time. Going on tour now is courageous and pretty freaking awesome, to say the least. You're inspiring many people, and that's an amazing thing. I know your upcoming tour will be epic, and moving beyond words. Know that all Canadians are behind you in this, and strongly rooting for you. Good luck in the coming days, months, years.....
#GordStrong
#goinggreyforgord
Thank you for Michelle and her generosity for the beautiful photos. You are awesome.
http://www.michellemabellephotography.com/
