Benita Updates
Thanks to all of our patrons for joining our heartfelt give back journey.
Birth of the "Give Back Jar". Start your giving today!
On July 11, 2018, I was suffering from headaches and dizziness, I went to the emergency room at the hospital where a CAT scan was preformed and I was incidentally diagnosed with an aneurysm. I remembered being in shock when the doctor told me I have an unruptured brain aneurysm! The doctor was very comforting when he broke the news to me, “it’s 5 and half millimeters in size, it can be catastrophic and you need to see a Neurosurgeon immediately.”
As I waited for the Neurosurgeon appointment and surgery, I felt very fearful of the unknown. Although I had the love and support of my family, friends, faith and prayers, sometimes the thoughts of my last breath still frightened me. I had persistent thoughts that any day, hour, or minute could be my last. I feared the most at night that the brain aneurysm would rupture and I would not wake up. Needless to say, I tried to keep my eyes open as long as possible.
October 12, 2018, I woke up thinking that I did not give back enough to the world during my lifetime. The thought of giving back more replaced my fear of the unknown. I started to plan for my future life, staying positive and believing that I will make it through. From that moment on, I was at peace and happier because my mind was filled with endless possibilities of the future instead of fear.
I am overwhelmingly happy to say that on January 22, 2019, I had a very successful surgery. I feel very thankful and fortunate that my brain aneurysm did not rupture and to be a survivor. Blessed with the miracle of a new beginning, I am making it my mission to give back today! In order to make this a reality “Give Back Jars” have been created.
The intention of these jars is to lovingly fill them with your favourite items and gift it to family, friends and anyone else you desire. The person who receives the jar can refill and gift to someone or simply keep for themselves.
100% of the net proceeds from each “Give Back Jar” donated to Calgary Health Foundation in support of Neurovascular Research, Newborn Health and Carewest.
Thank you for joining our heartfelt give back journey with the purchase of a “Give Back Jar” empty or filled. Together we can make it a successful mission to give back.
Each jar has a unique hashtag for you to follow its journey.
With Heartfelt Love,
Benita
Survivor/Founder
Brain Aneurysm Survivor (January 22, 2024)
FIFTH YEAR MILESTONE
Praise to God for the miracle of being a survivor and good health to continue the give back journey.
- Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wong and his team.
- Heartfelt thanks to my family and friends.
- Heartfelt thanks to Calgary brain aneurysm support group.
Thank you so very much for being there for me and my family.
I would like to thank everyone who joined the heartfelt journey with a purchase throughout the years from my online store and facebook marketplace.
Benita
Emergency Fun Fund Jar
This jar was created in celebration of my 4th year as a Brain Aneurysm Survivor (January 22, 2023). I found this jar as a fun way to save for the unexpected emergencies (great gift for friends and family).
Emergency Fun Fund Jar and the intentions are:
Replace BGB paper notes with real cash.
Save the paper notes in the pouch.
Take the real cash to the bank.
Deposit into your emergency fund account.
Empty the paper notes you save into the jar and start over again.
Jar includes:
- Fabric topper
- Money bag charm
- 25 Assorted emergency fund notes
- Handmade pouch
- Unique hashtag
Positivity Jar
This jar was created in celebration of my 3rd year as a Brain Aneurysm Survivor (January 22, 2022). Over the past two years the pandemic has touched most of us in one way or the other. For myself, getting through it meant starting and ending the day with positive thoughts no matter what the circumstances were on any specific day. I always stayed positive and made it a happy day.
Positivity and the intentions are:
Take a positivity note from the jar each day.
Read what the positivity note says.
After reflecting on what the positivity note says, place it into the pouch.
After you have read and placed all of the positivity notes into the pouch, empty the pouch into the jar and start all over again.
There is a surprise positivity in the jar for the person who received the jar.
Bucket List Jar
This jar was created in celebration of my 2nd year as a Brain Aneurysm Survivor (January 22, 2021). We tend to wait for retirement, we should start our bucket list today! Don't wait for tomorrow.
Bucket List and the intentions are:
Write what you want to do on the bucket list wish note paper (whatever your heart desires) and drop it into the jar. As you complete each one, save the cards in the pouch for a walk down memory lane with family and friends.
Blessings Jar
This jar was created in celebration of my 1st year as a Brain Aneurysm Survivor (January 22, 2020).
It's a blessing just to be awake and breathe the air.
Blessings and the intentions are:
Write a note when something good happens (big or small) throughout the year!
Drop it in the jar. On New Year's Eve empty the jar and read the blessings you were given for the year!(Don't forget the little things we take for granted)
Suggestion: if you are gifting this jar to someone, you can write a few notes with the date from yourself and drop it in the jar.
