The Kindness Collection featuring Diego the Lion
I'd like to introduce to you The Kindness Collection featuring DIEGO THE LION pom. Please take the time to learn more about the TWO collections categories below:
1) 100% of profits will be donated as a pledge to support a non-profit of an INSPIRING #NENATRIBE MEMBER: Over the course of one year, we will be highlighting and selecting up to three #NenaTribe members who's story has inspired us as well as many others to spread kindness and encourage perseverance through their examples and personal stories. If you would like to nominate a Nena Tribe Member please send your nomination to be considered at donations@nenaandco.com. Since this is a project that is managed by a committee here at Nena HQ and a volunteer committee, these emails will be reviewed together every couple of month so please do not be upset or send multiple emails as you will not hear back from us up to 4-6 weeks.
2) 20% of profits will be donated to a "CAUSE" or "AWARENESS" CAMPAIGN of our choice: Nena will be adding up to three "Cause/Awareness" tassels as a permanent addition to our pom tassel collection in the near future and will only release one at a time. We only have digital prototypes so I won't be revealing those at this time but they are beautiful.
Today I am so honored and pleased to officially announce the first of our "Kindness Collection" inspired by one of our very own customers and #nenatribe members. Please read below to learn more about the lovely Josefina DeAnda Navar and her darling baby boy who she affectionately calls Diego the Lion and who inspired us to initiate The Kindness Collection.
Sometimes we are inspired by places. Sometimes we are inspired by people. Sometimes we are inspired by The Cause!
A goal of Nena and Co.'s this year has been to spread the kindness. In hopes to help with this effort we have decided to use our POM's for some truly great causes. Starting with the Diego the Lion POM!
Diego the Lion earned his nickname because of the strength and bravery he showed while facing the malignant brain tumor that he was diagnosed with at 8 months old. Diego was a sweet boy who loved Mickey Mouse, dancing to Gangnam Style, and curling up in his family’s arms. He fought this unfortunate circumstance for a year and a half before he passed away at the age of two. Diego is sorely missed by his family and loved ones.
“We no longer get to cuddle with or shower our little boy with love, but thankfully his spirit continues to move us to do good in his honor. We lost our son, but continue to fight against pediatric brain tumors in hopes of saving other children and families from experiencing the same fate."
- Josefina DeAnda Navar (Diego’s Mother)
To help do our part in donating to the cause, Nena and Co. decided to give 100% of the profits to a charity of Diego's family's choice - Cancer Kiss My Cooley
Selecting the charity was simple for them. Cancer Kiss My Cooley (CKMC) reached out to Diego's family soon after he was diagnosed. This foundation sent Diego and his family on a Kiss of Hope trip to the San Diego area in Fall of 2015 so that they could all go to Legoland and the San Diego Zoo. Thanks to CKMC, their family was given an adventure to bring them joy at the time and a memory to hold dear after his passing. This charitable foundation has provided more than 80 families with a wish and a memory to share with their child undergoing treatment as well as assisting those in need of financial help.
Brain tumors are the top cancer killer in children, yet there are so few resources currently going toward research to help these children who are battling cancer. Cancer Kiss My Cooley is a 501c(3) Charitable Foundation that was created in memory of Carter Kettner. Carter passed away at the age of 6 due to an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor. His family honors him by fulfilling his wish of making EVERYONE'S dream come true! Thanks to CKMC and their partnership with Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and JourneyCare Hospice Services, more than 80 children with brain tumors in the Chicago area have been granted a wish and memory making experience called a "Kiss of Hope." Cancer Kiss My Cooley also assists families experiencing financial hardship due to taking time off work to care for their children as well as help fund pediatric brain tumor research!
We are so proud to be able to help in our small way to both raise money and awareness to support this cause. Make sure you snag one of these limited edition Diego the Lion POM to both donate and keep on your bag as a sweet reminder of this tender cause! xoxo
You can also donate on your own or follow Diego's family with the links below