Announcing PRET*TY New Accessories - the Perfect Gift That Gives Back. Shopping to fight pediatric cancer one bracelet at a time.

My son, Ty Campbell, was diagnosed with cancer when he was only 2 1⁄2 years old. At that moment, my eyes were opened and I will never live life with blinders on again. Ty passed away just days after his fifth birthday, and I will never be the same. I gave up my job and volunteer my time as President and Co-Founder of the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation for childhood cancer research. Each day, our volunteers work tirelessly in an effort to make a difference for children currently battling cancer, and for those that will be diagnosed with cancer in the future. In our first year, we have already raised over $300,000 to fund the world’s most renowned researchers in the pediatric cancer community. We hope to someday fund the research that uncovers safer, more effective treatment options for children.

I have dedicated my life to being an advocate for childhood cancer, and have realized the importance of philanthropy. Like many others, I buy t-shirts from Sevenly, I wear TOMS, I opt to pay more for the label with a pink ribbon and I never deny a charitable request at the register. However, I find it so difficult to accept how little awareness – and charitable merchandise – is available to support charities for childhood cancer. The awareness color for childhood cancer is gold, just as pink represents breast cancer, but very few people off street would know that. I have wanted to do something to support the “go gold” initiative, and then it hit me when I looked down at my wrist.

Colorful silicone bracelets have been popular for almost a decade because they are easy and eye-catching – but they are not pretty. To honor my son Ty and all children battling cancer, my team and I saw a great opportunity to offer a chic and trendy alternative – in gold – that will grab people’s attention and make a fashionable statement for an important cause. I enlisted the help of Bianca Fleischman, a friend and experienced jewelry designer at Just Be Designs, and soon the PRET*TY store was born. PRET*TY is a new line of predominantly gold accessories that were inspired by Ty and all children battling cancer. Each PRET*TY product is adorned with a custom-made PRET*TY charm, and most are packaged in our signature PRET*TY bag – a beautiful gold snakeskin change purse that is perfect for everyday use. They are the perfect gifts that give back because 100% of the net proceeds are redirected to fund innovative pediatric cancer research through the Ty Louis Campbell (TLC) Foundation. ([email protected])

I launched the PRET*TY store on the first of September in conjunction with pediatric cancer awareness month, and I have been humbled by the incredible response since. The childhood cancer community has been actively pushing retailers, celebrities and landmarks to “go gold” each September in order to shed light on the cause and honor pediatric cancer fighters. The PRET*TY line finally brings the gold movement to the shelves, both virtually and in limited boutique stores throughout the tri-state area.

About Ty Campbell
Ty Campbell puts the TY in PRET*TY. He was a beautiful, magnetic little boy who captured the hearts of thousands, and continues to do so even now. After fighting valiantly for half his life, fists blazing, Ty was finally freed from suffering once and for all when he became a beloved angel on October 17, 2012. His eternal spirit lives on in hearts of everyone he touched, and his story continues to impact others. You can read his story of inspiration at www.superty.org.

About Pediatric Cancer
Pediatric cancer happens completely at random and it doesn’t discriminate. There is no known cause or prevention for most childhood cancers. Pediatric cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children, claiming the lives of more children each year than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis and diabetes combined.
In fact:
 Every three minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer.
 Almost one out of four children diagnosed with cancer will die, and the large
majority of those that do survive will live with serious, chronic side effects as
a result of the harsh treatments.
 In the past 20 years ONLY ONE new cancer drug has been approved that is
specific for pediatric cancer, yet, the incidence of invasive pediatric cancers is up 29 percent over the course of those same 20 years.

About the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation
Founded in September 2012, The Ty Louis Campbell (TLC) Foundation is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that funds innovative research and technology specifically geared toward the treatment of the deadliest childhood cancers (including brain and spinal cord tumors). The organization seeks less toxic, more effective treatments that are specifically designed for children fighting cancer. Their ultimate mission is to help fund the intelligence and technology that will uncover new ways to more effectively treat children with cancer. For more information about the foundation, visit www.thetlcfoundation.org.
Visit www.prettystore.storenvy.com to purchase a bracelet and help in the fight against pediatric cancer.