by Lexington, NC, June 15, 2022 – Thanks to the generosity of many supporters The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation is proud to announce the achievement of surpassing the million-dollar mark in providing grants. This financial assistance is made available from the Foundation in the form of Helping Hand Grants, to those battling breast cancer in the furnishings and design industry. Over 300 individuals, throughout North America, have received grants to enhance their quality of life and enable them to maintain some sense of normalcy while confronting breast cancer.
The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation was founded in 2000 by Suzann Burkhead-Bray and her brother, Scott Burkhead, in honor of their younger sister, Sandra Burkhead Campbell who died from breast cancer. After seeing first-hand how devastating this disease can be, not only for the individual fighting the disease but for the whole family, Bray focused her passion on helping others and the concept for The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation was born.
With many organizations providing money for research, the goal of this Foundation has always been to help the individual in areas where insurance does not apply. Helping Hand Grants, as the name implies, is a way for the Foundation to lend a hand financially. Helping Hand Grants can be used to meet financial obligations, household needs and transportation to medical appointments. Grants have also been used for medical deductibles, housing during treatment, mortgage or car payments, a child’s college tuition, and property taxes. Anyone affiliated with the industry may confidentially request a grant for themselves or an immediate family member, who is currently battling breast cancer.
Over the lifetime of the Foundation, many companies and individuals have contributed to The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation. Annual donors are recognized based on designated levels accumulated throughout the calendar year. Those who have sustained the Foundation by accumulating in excess of $100,000 over the last 22 years, are recognized as Thread of Honor Sponsors. These companies are:
- Crossville, Inc. (crossvilleinc.com), based in Crossville, TN, is a provider of porcelain, glass and stone tiles and surfaces for both commercial and residential.
- Exemplis (exemplis.com), based in Cypress, CA, is the leading supplier of build-to-order seating, lounge and ergonomic solutions in the contract industry.
- Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering (momentumtextilesandwalls.com), based in Irvine, CA, is a resource for contract textiles and wallcoverings to the commercial interiors industry.
- Valley Forge Fabrics (valleyforge.com), based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, provides textiles, windowfabrications and bedding to the hospitality industry.
- Versteel (versteel.com), based in Jasper, IN, offers versatile American-made products andsolutions for working and learning environments.
Anyone can enhance the mission of The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation in the following ways:
- If you know someone affiliated with the furnishings and design industry that is currently battling breast cancer, please tell them about The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation and the Helping Hand Grant program. Request a grant application on our website under ‘Grants’.
- Spread awareness of The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation to friends, co-workers, and companies within the furnishings and design industry.
- Ask the company where you work to support The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation through financial contributions, sponsorship, or a fundraising event.
- Specify or purchase year-round sponsors’ designated products that benefit the Foundation. The manufacturers who participate in this program donate a percentage of their sales of designated products to the Foundation.
- Attend, sponsor, or volunteer at one or more of the industry fundraising events held throughout the United States.
- Designate The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation on Amazon Smile. Amazon will contribute .05% of all purchases you make through their Smile portal. There is no cost to you. Please encourage your friends and family to donate in this painless, free way to support our cause.
- Make a monetary donation in any amount to The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation. Ask your employer if they match charitable contributions. Look for opportunities like ‘Giving Tuesday’ that multiply your contributions.
To learn more about The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation, Helping Hand Grants, or sponsor programs and how to get involved, please visit commonthreadforthecure.org
