In July 2022, I lost my beloved Mom, Ginny Loescher, to stage 4 urethral cancer. If you had the privilege of knowing her, you would remember her infectious laugh, her mouth-watering home-baked cookie recipes, and the grand ten-course meals she prepared (our Thanksgiving spreads were legendary). She was kind, funny, courageous, intelligent, and my best friend. Despite her stage 4 diagnosis in May 2020, we were blessed to have an additional 26 months with her, during which she met my first child, born just a month before she passed. Our family will always be grateful to the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, for giving us more time with her.
Urethral cancer is a rare type of cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all diagnosed cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 13%. Its rarity means that treatment standards are not well established, and diagnoses often occur at a later stage.
To honor my Mom's memory and to give hope to other families that there may one day be better treatments and standards for this rare cancer, I conduct an annual raffle to celebrate her heavenly birthday on December 9th. Each year, I sew a custom quilt and sell raffle tickets, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Brady Urological Institute in her memory. To date, we have raised $7,000 in her name.
Raising my children without my Mom is one of the hardest challenges I face daily. Grief is never easy, but there is something profoundly unfair about mothering without a mother. I hope these funds contribute to better care standards for this rare disease, so that in the future, another family doesn't have to endure such a profound loss.
This year's quilt is inspired by the sunsets I used to watch with my Mom from her back deck, overlooking the cornfields. The quilt features brilliant shades of red, orange, and pink set against a purple nightfall sky, aiming to provide a sense of tranquil peace similar to those Maryland sunsets. The quilt pattern is Great Plains Star by Plains and Pine, with longarm quilting completed by A Piece of Quiet Quilts. Measuring 85"x85", the quilt is finished, pre-washed, and ready to be shipped as a gift for yourself or a loved one this holiday season. Additional information about the fabrics and pattern is included in the pictures below.
This year, raffle tickets are priced at $20 for one ticket, $50 for three, or $100 for ten.
I am incredibly grateful for all the support we've received and continue to be humbled by your love for our family and my Mom.
I love you for always, Mom. Please keep watching over my babies (and maybe remind them to think about going to bed on time every once in a while, OK?). Happy Birthday, my angel.
