It’s a pleasure to introduce Cara Spath, Founder of The Pink Chair Project, and our newest Mender and Featured Friend.
Cara came into our lives through her Pink Chair Project. Her mission is to deliver support; physically and emotionally to breast cancer patients by providing comfort with a reclining lift chair throughout their healing process.
What a gift to have Cara on our team. I’ve witnessed her deep empathy & compassion first hand on several occasions. One particular day & customer experience has stayed with me and I reflect on it frequently. A customer came in 5 days post mastectomy surgery. Cara helped her, talked with her, walked through different pieces of equipment and what had been helpful and useful for her.
We could not have hand picked a better match. This woman left OTM with confidence and a new friend.
Please read a little more about Cara and the The Pink Chair Project below!
“Like many others, breast cancer has left its mark in our family. I am a wife, sister, daughter and most importantly, mother and was diagnosed at age 41. Prior to my diagnosis, both my maternal and paternal grandmothers had breast cancer but it didn’t stop there, 4 years later in 2017 my mother was diagnosed as well.
After having a double mastectomy and coming home to heal, I found it hard to get comfortable and fall asleep most days & nights. I was lucky enough to have a family member with an electric powered reclining chair that I could use throughout my recovery period to ease the pain and burden of simply just standing. Going through the diagnosis, the surgery and then the healing, I have learned to turn the negative into positive and that I can use my experience to make a difference. Not everybody is as lucky as I am so I have worked hard what a great idea to give back and help others.
Throughout my journey I have had an overwhelming support system with me every step of the way. Being a mother of 3, I have always felt that in this day and age its important to teach my children to be selfless, compassionate and give back. My daughter Emmie, recently shared that she had an interest in giving back to the world in some way, I couldn’t think of a better way to help her accomplish this while teaming up with her and making a difference in the one way I know how. I am blessed and honored to be able to start this mission to helping people throughout our community on their same journey.”
-Cara Spath, Survivor
Before OTM what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had? While I was in college, I used to process photos at a photo shop for the local Police and Fire Dept. Victims Unit.
How do you balance your career & and family? The Pink Chair Project is a family affair, my husband and three kids are all involved with every aspect of my non profit. My 17 year old daughter, Emmie, who will be attending University of Tampa in the Fall, is my youngest and also Co Founder of our organization.
What do you find the most challenging with work & PCP? The most challenging aspect for me is not being able to deliver every single chair personally. I take a lot of pride in the process and I love meeting the people that sit in one of my chairs.
What is your proudest moment thus far at PCP? For me it’s not just one moment, it’s moments…It’s everytime I get to deliver a chair and help a breast cancer patient going through what I went through, it makes my heart so happy and fullfills my life.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? The Pink Chair Project is my passion, I love, love, love helping people and making a difference. Now I get to carry that over to my day job, working at OTM.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I would love to bring The Pink Chair Project and maybe even On the Mend to sunny Florida.
Where is your favorite place to eat? Being Italian, I love a meal that would replicate Sunday dinner at my Grammy’s house, so I’d have to say LaScogliera in Shelton. Absolutely the best homemade cavatellis, meatballs and dessert that you will ever eat. (Aside from my Gram’s)
You’re happiest when? I am happiest when I can be the solution to someone else’s problems and also put a smile on their face. I live by this famous quote, ”Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud” – Maya Angelou
