This coin was purchased for Hope Days 2021. Hope Days was founded on May 1, 2015 to celebrate what would be Hope Cookis-McCarthy’s last birthday. She was turning 49 and was nearing the end of a two year battle with stage IV colon cancer. Her tribe of family and friends wanted to show her she was cherished and to bolster her courage to continue the fight as long as she could. Hope’s entire life was based on kindness and empathy for people and animals, always taking care of others and adopting strays from the time she was a child. She put others above herself.

Between May 1-13, we invite you to spread kindness. This can be anything YOU are comfortable doing, for ANYONE you wish to do it for. You are invited to pay it forward and make the world a nicer place in memory of Hope.

Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HopeDays13/ or @HopeDays13

This coin was given to Megan to help celebrate Hope Days 2021. Megan is a former coworker and friend who has a warm and loving heart. She embraces Hope Days, is raising very kind children, and has been a friend to me during my difficult times.

Right now, she is supporting a family friend battling pancreatic cancer. Having lost my own grandmother to the disease, I can empathize and am praying for the best for her friend. I was touched by the story, so I made a donation to Megan's fundraiser for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in her friend's honor. I also made a handmade birthday card to send to her friend who just reached another amazing milestone! Megan organized a little birthday celebration during the fundraiser, which I hope made her friend feel special! Now I'm sending the coin to Megan with a nice note so this coin's journey may begin!