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Cancer Messed With: Then v. Now

Written by Amanda DiFabio, Marketing Coordinator 

It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here! THE NEW CMW

Sophia Rossomando

When Cancer Messed first launched in 2017, it was created with a little girl in mind. A little girl who changed her community by taking a stand against her hardships, being brave in the face of adversity, and remaining positive through it all.

Isabella Santos was two years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. Isabella, her family, her doctors, and those around her fought hard to save her life. After fighting bravely for five years, Isabella lost her battle in 2012.

From the very beginning, Isabella’s family used the rallying cry of “cancer messed with the wrong (family and kid)” as they fought for and with her. To honor her, and to support, empower, and inspire others. Because of this, The Isabella Santos Foundation set out to create support apparel for all fighters and support systems in need of a little inspiration. This is how Cancer Messed With apparel came to life.

That was then, and this is NOW. Our team has been working around the clock the past few months to bring you new designs and a new vision. A vision to support ALL fighters, not just our brave cancer warriors. We thought to ourselves: how can we make this bigger than just an impactful slogan on a shirt? How can we bring more communities of people together and spread more hope in our community? All while continuing to raise money for pediatric cancer. 

We landed on the concept of our apparel making people FEEL good, LOOK good and DO good. 

Feel good knowing the apparel they wear is inspirational and bringing them positive vibes. 

Look good wearing our designs because they are trendier than ever with more releases to come in the future. 

Do good helping fund research and a cure for pediatric cancer right here in Charlotte, NC. 

Become a part of something bigger than just purchasing a trendy, inspirational t-shirt. Help fund a cure for rare pediatric cancer. Bring communities of people together for a common cause. Cancer affects children and families no matter who they are, what they look like, and what they believe.

Together we can support. Together we can cure.

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CMW X GAVIN HILL: Limited Edition Collection

Written by Shelby Nash, Marketing Intern

Gavin Hill

Those that have met 18-year-old Gavin Hill will agree they have never met anyone stronger and more dedicated to living life to the fullest. 

Gavin was first diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare solid tumor with one of the lowest pediatric cancer survival rates, in 2014. He endured a year and a half of treatment at the age of seven to rid of the cancer forever. Gavin longed to get back to being a normal kid and doing what he loved most…playing sports. 

After a positive COVID diagnosis at the beginning of 2021, followed by a swollen lymph node, North Davidson High School athlete, Gavin Hill, assumed the two were related. But then a chest x-ray and CT scan in February discovered a tumor mass under his upper right chest. His neuroblastoma had relapsed.

The Limited Edition Gavin Hill Collection has raised $5,720, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Isabella Santos Foundation Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C. The same program currently treating Hill for his relapsed Neuroblastoma. “I think everyone can use this in their everyday life,” Hill said. “You know, you have a bad day at work. You have a bad day at school. These things can be your minor setback. Or you have actually had something really bad or traumatic happen to you. But, just knowing you’re going to come out of it at the end is the major comeback.”

Gavin has a heart of gold and has been using his journey to not only fight for himself, but for other pediatric cancer warriors. Serving as one of the captains on the North Davidson High school football team, he proudly sports the fighting shirt of other kids just like him during warm-ups. Gavin ensures that each of his teammates and friends educates themselves on and off the field. He refuses to let cancer keep him down and tells everyone he will be “the comeback kid”. 

“I’m almost there. I’m scraping the top. Scraping the surface. I’m going to be there soon, to where I really want to be”

Gavin makes the perfect fighter to serve as our first collaboration amidst our 2021 rebrand. Within seconds of him brainstorming with our team about what slogan or sentence represents him, he answered: “This is my minor setback, now I’m ready for the big comeback.” And from there the Limited Edition Gavin Hill Collection was born. 

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