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Announcing the 2025 initiative on November 15th. Join the mailing list for more information.

Open Seas

 

It all started 4 years ago in Uganda. I had just embarked on my first sabbatical. I had quit my corporate job and decided that I wanted to test my skillset in the biggest way, which was to help hundreds and even thousands of people. So I reached out to this amazing organization called Blood Water Mission who were founded by the incredible Jars of Clay. The first thing I was tasked to do was to help move the organization up to digital speed and then create a meaningful storyline to fundraise for a maternity ward. But this wasn’t just any maternity ward and this wasn’t just any fundraiser.

Throughout my entire career I have always put heart into everything that I do. So I felt like this was the most logical thing I have ever done- dive right into helping those with the greatest need. I didn’t realize how this would change my entire life. 

The fundraiser itself was based around the idea that everyone was connected to a mother. And if we cared about mothers then we could find strength in mothers because they live for their kids. So I recruited 4 women to share their stories. Some were mothers going through hardship and some were friends of mothers and one was a soon to be mom (we didn’t know she was pregnant at the time). 

These stories were heart-wrenching and beautiful. They helped people understand that all mothers are alike, they live for their kids. And mothers in sub-Saharan Africa have a tough battle to fight. You see- their children are born with HIV/AIDS. Children are born fighting the toughest disease out there. 

Because of this fundraiser children are born free of HIV/AIDS. They are born free of the worst disease- meaning they are cured from the impossible. I can’t tell you how insane it is to be a part of this. When I left Kitgum, Uganda- Dr. Dennis told me that many babies would be born named Diana. This is something that I cannot get over and there is no greater honor. 

A few years later I decided to launch a collection to take me back to where it all began and I hoped to continue to help my friends in Africa.