The Claire Fund

The Claire Fund is a charitable fund being established by Spirited Sisters Inc. to aid single moms with terminal illnesses. A portion of the proceeds from all Healing Threads purchases is donated directly to this fund.

For our youngest Spirited Sister, Claire

When Claire E. Goodhue was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in February, 2003, it was a shock to everyone who knew and loved her. Her diagnosis was dire: she was given 6-12 months to live. Her main thought of course was of her daughter, Lilly, who had turned 6 years old just a few weeks before. Claire wanted to live for her daughter and was determined to stretch those months as much as possible.

Claire knew the benefits of western medicine, but also knew the limitations. After her surgery she embarked on weekly regimes of chemotherapy, but added to that meditation, prayer, yoga, guided imagery and massage. All helped, but ultimately she lost her battle after 35 months of struggle, pain and sacrifice. But she also experienced an outpouring of concern and love for her and Lilly during those months. Claire was a single mom and depended mightily on friends and family to get her through.

How we help moms like Claire

One of Claire's biggest challenges was how to stay solvent and keep the lifestyle she and Lilly had become accustomed to. Her friends and family saw to it that she was able to maintain the monthly rent, bills, Lilly’s school tuition, etc. She and her "team", as she called us, wanted nothing more than to keep Lilly’s life as normal and stable as possible. She wanted to be able to stay in the home Lilly knew, in her supportive neighborhood and school.

Claire belonged to a few support groups for people with terminal illnesses. She saw first-hand the devastation terminal illness has on single moms and their children. When we started our company, Spirited Sisters, Inc., part of our business plan was to donate 3% of our profits to a fund or foundation whose main purpose was to help single moms and their children stay in their homes, neighborhoods and schools. When we could not find an existing foundation to donate to, we decided we would start our own, and, despite Claire’s objections, name it the Claire Fund/Foundation.

The Claire Fund today

We are in the process of developing this entity. It has proven to be far more expensive and complicated than we ever anticipated. Our hope is that it will be ready by the end of 2008, complete with application forms.

Thank you,

Peg Feodoroff, President and Co-Founder
Patty O’Brien, Co-Founder