A Thanksgiving of Gratitude, Grace, and Giving Back

Thanksgiving carries a special kind of quiet magic. It slows us down, gathers us close, and nudges us into reflection. For many families, it’s a day of warmth and tradition. For those touched by breast cancer, their families and friends, and for us at the World Change Coalition, Thanksgiving becomes something even deeper. It becomes a reminder of why we do this work, who we honor, and what we continue to support.

The heart of our story has always been my mom.  Her courage through metastatic breast cancer shaped not only her family, but the inspired the creation and evolution of the World Change Coalition. She taught us that small, thoughtful things can change someone’s day and sometimes their entire outlook. Watching her navigate her decades of treatments with dignity, frustration, humor, courage and strength showed us what true resilience looks like.

Thanksgiving invites us to sit with memories like hers. To honor the people who shaped us. To acknowledge the journey, the ups, the devastating downs, the unexpected moments of light that breast cancer brings into a family’s life.

Gratitude for the Lessons Cancer Teaches

Breast cancer is a thief of certainty, routine, and normalcy. But in the middle of that storm, it can also reveal what matters most. It teaches us:

Connection matters more than perfection.

A quiet moment holding someone’s hand can feel more valuable than any grand gesture.

Kindness is a healing force.

A ride to treatment, a warm meal, a message saying “I’m here” — these small acts create lifelines.

Stories are powerful.

The stories shared in our “Words from the Heart” series remind us that no one walks this journey alone, even when it feels like they might. At World Change Coalition, these lessons are woven into everything we do. They show up in the way we design Cathy’s Jeans with dignity and practicality in mind. They show up in our commitment to donate a portion of every sale to nonprofits that support cancer patients. They show up in the way we talk openly about the realities of breast cancer, not just the pink-ribbon moments, but the hard truths and the human stories.

Thanksgiving as a Moment of Reflection

This holiday arrives just weeks after Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a season that often feels like the emotional peak of the year. October brings energy, urgency, and visibility. November brings stillness, gratitude, and a chance to breathe.

It’s in this quiet space that families who’ve been touched by breast cancer may feel the weight and the wonder of memory the most. The empty chair at the table. The inside joke only one person used to tell. The ritual you still do because it keeps them close. Or, for survivors, the gratitude of being here, present, celebrated, and loved.

Thanksgiving gives us permission to hold all those truths at once. Grief and gratitude. Loss and love. Exhaustion and hope. Cancer never gives clean lines, and neither does life. But this holiday reminds us that we’re allowed to feel the whole spectrum.

A Season for Giving Back

Part of the Thanksgiving spirit is recognizing the ways we can lift others. For us, that means continuing to fuel a mission built on compassion and purpose.

At the World Change Coalition, every pair of Cathy’s Jeans purchased, every story shared, every act of support helps continue the ripple effect that Mom inspired. The fingerprint logo on each product isn’t just a design, it’s a reminder of her legacy, and of every person whose life has been touched by breast cancer.

Supporting those facing treatment with comfort, clothing, resources, or simply a shared story is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor Thanksgiving. Giving, in this community, isn’t an obligation, it’s an act of love.

Looking Forward with Hope

Thanksgiving is not only a moment to look back, but also a moment to look forward. To think about how we show up for others. To ask how we can turn gratitude into action. To imagine a world where compassion is contagious and care is instinctive.

At World Change Coalition, we step into the holiday season with full hearts, grateful for the community that surrounds us, inspired by the stories shared with us, and committed to carrying forward a legacy built on resilience and kindness.

This Thanksgiving, may you find comfort in memory, strength in community, and hope in the promise of what we can build together.

From our family to yours, thank you for being part of this movement.

I miss you mom and always hold you in my heart.  Richie