After losing a beloved dog, the quiet emptiness left behind can feel overwhelming. For Brianna, healing began at her sewing machine after her beautiful dog, Shasta, passed away from lung cancer. She poured the love she still carried for Shasta into creating handmade dog collars, turning a personal passion into a fundraiser supporting canine cancer research. With every collar she sewed, Brianna found a meaningful way to honor Shasta, work through her grief, and help create hope for other dogs and the families who love them. Her story is a powerful reminder that when you are coping with the loss of a pet or facing the heartbreak of a terminal diagnosis, using your talents to support a cause close to your heart can give your grief a place to go and transform the love you shared into an active force for good.
Shasta’s Fight Against Lung Cancer:
“Shasta was born in 2011 and rescued by a loving family in Oregon. She spent her days exploring outside, swimming, and going to work with her dad.
In 2021, Shasta moved across the country with her family to Florida, where she visited the beach and made new friends. She was one of the most energetic and intelligent dogs you could ever meet. She loved sleeping in, playing fetch, and, most of all, spending time with her family.
Unfortunately, in early 2023, what began as a small cough and a quick trip to the veterinarian ended with a life-changing cancer diagnosis. Shasta had an aggressive form of lung cancer that had already spread rapidly. Little did we know that we would have only two more weeks with our sweet girl.
She left behind shattered hearts and a desire to help other families facing the same heartbreak.
In honor of Shasta, I started an Etsy shop featuring handmade dog collars that help raise funds for the National Canine Cancer Foundation. From sports teams and holidays to patterns for every personality, there is a collar for every pup. A portion of the proceeds from every collar is donated to NCCF.
Even if I am able to help just one dog through these collars, all the work will have been worth it.” – Brianna C.
Turn Your Passion Into a Canine Cancer Fundraiser
Brianna’s fundraiser began with two things she already had: a love for sewing and a deep desire to honor Shasta. By bringing those together, she created a meaningful way to support canine cancer research while keeping Shasta’s memory at the heart of everything she makes.
Your fundraiser can begin just as simply.
Think about what you enjoy doing, what you know how to make, or how you naturally bring people together. You might sell something handmade, host a dog walk, organize a bake sale, partner with a local business, hold an online fundraiser, or create an entirely new idea inspired by your own dog.
With Canine Cancer Awareness Month coming in November, now is the perfect time to take that first step. You do not need to have every detail figured out today. Begin with one idea, choose a dog you want to honor, and imagine how your talents could help create hope for other dogs and families.
Every fundraiser begins with one person deciding to do something. Together, those individual acts of love bring us closer to a cure.
Together, We Are the Cure.
If you would like to do a fundraiser or need help getting started – fill out the form below!