Keep smiling, bring joy, and never, ever lose hope.]

Karen Kruse And Her Story of Hope Vol 2

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when stories of courage, perseverance, and hope take center stage. Behind every pink ribbon is a woman with a journey uniquely her own, yet connected by the same thread of resilience. This month, I’m honoured to share the voices of incredible women who have faced breast cancer with grace, grit, and unwavering determination. Their messages are not only reminders of strength but also beacons of hope for others walking the same path.

We open this journey of hope with Karen Kruse, who has turned the exterior of her home into a living symbol of encouragement for women walking through breast cancer. Her thoughtful design is more than curb appeal; it’s a heartfelt message to every woman passing by that hope is alive, beauty can bloom in every season, and strength is often found in the spaces we create around us. Karen’s message reminds us that healing is not only internal but can also be reflected outward, inspiring others in quiet yet powerful ways.

Karen & Her Journey

My journey with breast cancer began on June 1, 2009, when I received my diagnosis. By July 29th, I was starting my first round of chemotherapy. The following spring, still weak but determined to heal, I set a goal: to create a small survivor’s garden and complete it by July 29, 2010, one year to the day from my first chemo treatment.

I wanted to feel whole again, to reclaim a sense of “normal.” On that July day, I finished my tiny pink garden. Almost immediately, it began to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. Pink flower pots, breast cancer garden flags, ornaments, and even wreaths began appearing, gifts from friends, neighbors, and sometimes complete strangers. People would stop by my driveway or knock on my door to share their own stories of cancer, whether their own or those of loved ones. I quickly realized this wasn’t just my survivors garden.This was a place of hope for everyone.

Fast forward to March of 2020, when COVID-19 swept across the world. I felt we all needed something to smile about, a reason to hold onto hope. That’s when I added pink lights and a rooftop message of hope. It was a game-changer. The lights brought joy not only to me, but also to every passerby who drove or walked past my house.

Fifteen years later, the garden and the lights have evolved, but the message remains the same: Keep smiling, bring joy, and never, ever lose hope.

Finding Hope

We believe that stories like Karen’s deserve to be told, shared, and celebrated. Her journey is more than a story of battling cancer; it is a story of love, courage, and unwavering hope. By sharing her voice, we hope to inspire others, spread awareness, and remind the world that behind every diagnosis is a fighter with dreams, strength, and resilience.

This is only the beginning of our series. In the coming weeks, we will continue to highlight more incredible women who embody the spirit of hope in the face of cancer. Each story is unique, but together, they form a powerful reminder: cancer does not define these women; their strength and hope do.