Butterfly Project
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FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W
Tampa, FL 33647
Welcome to the Butterfly Project! My name is Molly, and I am thirteen years
old. In November 2010 I celebrated my Bat Mitzvah. Because it is traditional
to do a “Mitzvah” Project (Mitzvah means “Commandment” and often is referred to as a “Good Deed”)
in connection with this celebration, together with help from my family, friends,
and very generous business partners, I created the Butterfly Project.
When I was six, I lost my grandmother, Brenda Caplan, to breast and ovarian cancer. Both my mom and my great-aunt are BRCA positive, and my great grandmother had breast cancer as well. Because my family has been so affected by hereditary cancer I decided for my mitzvah project to do something that would help people with cancer. I particularly wanted to do something with FORCE because that was the organization that helped my mom so much.
The purpose of The Butterfly Project is to raise money to support the Brenda L. Caplan Memorial Scholarship Fund for FORCE . This fund was created at the same time as my project to provide financial scholarships to people who would like to attend the FORCE Conference.
Why Butterflies? 
Butterflies have come to symbolize many things. For some people they represent transformation; for others, they signify freedom. Since my grandmother’s death, butterflies have always had a special meaning to our family.
But, one of the nicest representations of butterflies can be found in the Native American Legend.
It says, if you have a secret wish, it will come true if you capture a butterfly, whisper your wish to it, and set it free.
P.S. One of the greatest things I am learning from this project is just how willing people are to help if asked. Neither The Bead Lounge nor Sally Spicer Handbags knew us when reached out, and both jumped in with unbelievable generosity and expertise to make the items we are selling as elegant, classy, and beautiful as my grandmother was.
Another great surprise was Samantha Goldstone of Adesso Jewelry. Samantha is BRCA +, and a survivor of thyroid cancer. Through the FORCE website, she discovered my project and volunteered to create a stunning collection of necklaces and bracelets to raise money in support of our project. My family and I are very, very grateful for their support.
A very special thank you also goes to Tracy from Tracy’s—one of the most adorable gift shops and boutiques in Las Vegas (and probably the world). Tracy has profiled Butterfly Project items in her store and has been an incredible support and friend to our family!
Thank you also to my cousin, Rachel Malovany, for creating outstanding logos and note, and thanks to my Auntie Karen, as well, for her fabulous bracelet design ideas.
Most importantly, I want to acknowledge my grandfather, Myron Caplan, who took my idea to create a fund in my grandmother’s name, and made it a reality by providing the endowment.
Molly
Shop the Butterfly Project
Your purchase of any our special butterfly jewelry pieces, handbags and notecards support FORCE and the Brenda L. Caplan Memorial Scholarship Fund. Shop the Butterfly Project today.
Thanks to our special supporters:
- Andrea and Jennifer of The Bead Lounge in Los Angeles
- Handbag designer Sally Spicer
- Jewelry designer Samantha Goldstone of Adesso
- Artist Rachel Malovany
Rachel's exclusive Butterfly notecards on sale at a local boutique.
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