Styling Curvy

stylish, sassy and a little bit bad-assy

THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR CALL THAT WILL CHANGE LIVES

By 84 Comments

  • Earlier this year I received an email that will change lives. I won’t lie, when I first read the email I was sceptical so I picked up the phone and called the sender. The sender was Dimity Pinto from ‘Newman’s Own Foundation’ offering me one hundred thousand US dollars to give to the charity of my choice. SAY WHAT?! Wanna know what a cheque that size looks like?

newman's own foundation donation

Let’s back track three and a half years to when I launched Styling Curvy, I wanted to create a positive change in the lives of women everywhere, to leave words for my children long after I am gone and to make a difference to the lives and outcomes of cancer patients and their families. I feel fortunate, privileged and bloody proud to have created a business from my blog but more than that a place that can create change in my online community AND my local community.

I’ve been invited to and involved in lots of rad things over the three and a half years but today I have something super special to share. That phone call was actually to offer me one hundred thousand US dollars to give to the charity of my choice…$100,000.00 would you look at all those zeros! I just can’t get enough of seeing this cheque, neither can CEO of The Hospital Research Foundation Paul Flynn, would you look at our grins…delirious!

with Paul Flynn The Hospital Research Foundation

Ummm, I was totally blown away especially as The Newman’s Own Foundation only make this offer to six Australians and the other five are A grade stars. The thing is though, they liked Styling Curvy, that a small voice could make a ripple that reached far and wide. They liked that I shared so openly and was helpful when writing about cancer.

Without Styling Curvy this offer would never have happened and Styling Curvy would never have been launched without cancer…so thanks cancer! Kind of fitting really that this week I mark five years since I was diagnosed.

I’m a proud ambassador for The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) and I’ve been involved in projects for four years. THRF supports people and patients in hospitals across South Australia through vital health and medical research and improved patient care. They make a difference, I’ve experienced it, seen it and am a part of it. Here I am in one of the Under Our Roof homes, a home away from home for country cancer patients undergoing  treatment.

styling curvy at the under our roof home

When I was offered $100, 000.00 for a charity of my choice I nominated THRF and the Under Our Roof project to be the recipients. There was a bit of paperwork to do, boxes to be ticked and guidelines to be met but the good folk at Newman’s Own Foundation gave them the big tick and bing-bang-boom $126,000.00(AUS) was deposited into the account of THRF! I know, amazing right!

This means that patient outcomes can be improved YAY! Patients like Felicity who is undergoing treatment and is staying at the Under Our Roof homes with her family (husband Simon and 5 children). I had ALL the feels meeting this family.

patient felicity and family

To say I am proud is an understatement, but I’m also grateful and humbled by this experience. The late actor Paul Newman started the Newman’s Own Foundation 35 years ago and through the sales of his sauces and dressings has been giving back to communities world wide ever since. I know I have been eating his tasty pasta sauces for more than a decade and his salad dressings are my favorite. They are just gonna taste so much sweeter now 🙂

When I was diagnosed with cancer my life changed forever, one thing I knew for sure was I wanted it to matter and I wanted to leave behind something to be proud of. I’ve done lots to be proud of, and this donation rates high on the list. Styling Curvy wouldn’t exist without a fabulous online community so I want to say ‘thank-you’ to all of YOU, you guys helped make this happen too. Rockstars!

Photos shot on location at the Under Our Roof home by Andrew Beveridge. Learn more about The Hospital Research Foundation HERE and the Under Our Roof homes HERE and Newman’s Own Foundation HERE

Have you tried Newman’s own products? It might be time to add some to your trolley. Got a favorite Paul Newman movie?

Til next time,

Jen x

Comments

  2. Wow Jen! This is absolutely freaking amazing.
    What a beautiful gesture from PNF and of course yourself. You inspire me everyday to do better – be better!!!!
    This is just awesome xxxx

    Reply

  3. How amazing must you feel, Jen, to know that all your hard work is paying off like this! Be proud that you were chosen and in turn, able to help in such a way. I will make sure I buy Newman products now knowing how their foundation works.

    Reply

  4. You are amazing! Congratulations!
    Love your work and I’m glad the right people are finding you that have capacity to make a difference to the cause closest to your heart!

    Reply

  5. WOW!!
    Absolutely awesome Jen. Congratulations and THANK YOU for all that you do, for everything you share and for being such an inspiration. Love what you do. Xx

    Reply

  7. Truly amazing cous! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again you were put on this earth to make a difference and look how big that ripple has become. Can’t wait to celebrate with you x

    Reply

  8. Biggest WOW..I am so happy for you and your success…you must feel amazing with the knowledge of what that kind of money can provide in times of such need. I am so glad I found your blog and look forward to your continued success and shall drink wine to your health. Love and light Jen x

    Reply

  9. What a wonderful achievement you should be so proud of yourself , you are such an inspiration to a lot of women including myself your confidence is shining ??

    Reply

  10. OMG…how awesome is this! Congratulations, what a wonderful and deserving thing you have created Jen, and just look at the domino effect that has ensued from it. Incredible. Geeze if I’m super proud of you and your efforts, what must you and your family be feeling ?
    And yes….you will find Newman’s Own products in my fridge and pantry cupboard.

    Reply

  11. I’m crying reading this, you are one in a million Jen and soooooo friggn deserving of this. Living in the outback I know what it’s like for family who have to travel for treatment. and this is an awesome project xxxx

    Reply

  12. Jen what a star and how cool. Your voice must have resonated with them and how powerful that they chose you. . No wonder you were crying on Friday knowing about this donation and your own cancerversary. As a country mum thanks for your work with under one roof. Travelling for medical care and emergencies puts a lot of pressure on us but I can only imagine the thought of dealing with a long term treatment plan and being apart from your family. Love ya work.

    Reply

  13. How wonderful is that! Congratulation well deserved, you are an amazing woman with a heart of gold, love following you, thank you xx

    Reply

  16. Awesome Jen !
    Love how you show everyday in your actions not just your words that one person who believes in something can make a difference !
    You Go Girl and Thank You ??

    Reply

  19. Who would’ve thought that they could find someone from little old Adelaide? I love this State and am proud to call it my home! Congratulations Jenni- well deserved!! You are passionate about what you do and your voice is being heard! I’m sure all the people that money will touch will thank you too! My Dad is a cancer survivor and that disease touches everyone close to the person going through it! You are fabulousness personified!!!

    Reply

  20. Congratulations! Such wonderful news and well deserved Jen. What a beautiful thing to happened to you 5 years after one of the worst.
    My favourite Paul Newman’s product is the creamy caesar and classic salad dressing ?

    Reply

  22. This is truly amazing Jen; you are amazing!!! I love what you do, making a difference in others lives. I had to get the tissue box out while reading this just now.

    Reply

  23. So so happy for you
    It’s so well deserved
    Enjoy the congratulations love that’s it’s finally going to someone that’s given to us all and to think it’s all about the dreaded cancer. That most of offf us have had or still have .
    I was smiling and crying for how proud you and your family must of felt and yourself important ly thanks so much for sharing with us all

    Reply

  30. Amazing work Jen. You are such a wonderful lady. Honest, inspirational and caring. Keep the good work up, we need more people like you in our world! Go girl x

    Reply

  31. This is fantastic news, what a difference $100,000.00 will make in much needed research. Well done Jen, you have so much to be proud of and well done Newman’s. That’s a lot of zeros!! ❣️

    Reply

  34. I have always wondered if they really did donate to charity,like you i have been using his sauces and dressings for 25 yrs. Congratulations well done keep up the good work.

    Reply

  35. Hi Jen,
    How fantastic! I’m really proud of you, you are having one hell of a year in all areas of your life.

    I must admit I love Paul Newmans Ranch dressing, he brought Ranch dressing to Australia long before anyone else. I always have his bolognaise sauce in the cupboard too because it tastes good enough on it’s own that if you don’t have anything but a bit of Pasta, you’ve got something to eat.
    Paul Newman was one drop dead good looking guy.
    From
    Helen

    Reply

  39. Congratulations Jen! That’s is so awesome and you should feel incredibly proud because you have worked so hard and we think you’re amazing. You’re making a real difference, sharing your story, raising awareness and making women feel good about themselves. I’m so happy for you and THRF, this money will make a differenc.
    I first tried Newman’s Own because of their commitment to Charities and their products are the best (though Coles and Woolworths don’t always stock their pasta sauces. Come on guys!!)
    Well done lovely

    Reply

  40. So proud of you Jen and what you have achieved. You are a rock in so many of our lives. I for one could not think of a more deserving person for the Newman Foundation to recognise and honour. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ and happy 5yrs as a thriver ? Maxine.

    Reply

  41. Aww my eyes are leaking lol. So proud of you and your family must be so .proud as well. There needs to be more like you. I am so glad I follow a real life super hero because to many, thats exactly what you are. X

    Reply

  42. Amazing!!! What an incredible honour for them to entrust you with such a massive donation! Good on you Jen! I’m so proud to be one of your supporters / followers. When my husband was first diagnosed with cancer I sent you a message and you replied straight away with some supportive words that I needed to hear. You’ve come out the other side and you’ve not forgotten the families still suffering. Thank you!

    Reply

  46. Wow Jen!!! Congratulations on all the amazing things you do to help others. Your generosity & kindness is something to be admired. You inspire us all to do whatever we can to accept & enjoy our beautiful lives. Keep sharing your love xxx

    Reply

  47. Holy Moly! $100,000.00 that’s fantastic! Obviously to a worthy cause. Jennie you should be really proud of this achievement. So much wow power it’s not funny! You are a star and you’re shining so damn bright right now! Congratulations on all your hard work. Those families will now really benefit from that cheque. And Paul Newman Foundation – amazingly generous!????????❤️

    Reply

  49. How awesome is The Newman’s Own Foundation and how awesome are you Jenni. Their generosity will make a huge difference in the lives of those suffering from the ill effects of cancer. During my journey there was always a huge amount of people travelling from country areas to the city for chemotherapy. Jenni you asked what my favourite Paul Newman movie is – it has to be ‘The Long Hot Summer’ the chemistry between Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward was electric ?

    Reply

  50. Wow! Unbelievable but you dedication will help so many Cancer folk. I had to read it twice as couldn’t take it all in as genuine. Jen you are a true Legend,well done .xxxx

    Reply

  51. Wow that is amazing Jenni, all of your hard work is making such a positive difference in so many people’s lives. Also, congratulations on reaching the 5 year milestone. I”m blown away by your positivity, you’ve been and continue to go through so much because of cancer but hasn’t stopped you living your life to the fullest and giving so much to others.

    Reply

  52. Congratulations Jen
    You do fantastic work and it is far reaching rewards and benefits for so many people.
    You have a beautiful heart
    I will continue to use Paul Newman sauces, –
    Always have, largely as my mum was a mega fan of his!

    Reply

  53. Wow. Seriously Wow. I love Paul Newman dressings now I love them even more. Well done Jen. It must make you feel so great. You are a star inside and out. love you ?

    Reply

  56. H Jen
    Thane for the winds full blog. I love the way you dress. Pity I’m in South Africa Pelham Pietermaritzburg. Is there a chance I could get these outfits. I am probably the same height as you.

    Keep doing what you doing girl.

    Regards
    Pinky Dhlamini

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] The Newman’s Own Foundation chose Styling Curvy to be a recipient of a US $100,000 grant! Yup, all I had to do was choose the charity of my choice for the money to be donated to, some paperwork was done, I designed a salad using Newmans Own dressings and The Hospital Research Foundation had AUS$126,000 deposited into their account to assist with The under Our Roof project. Proud as punch moment right there! Read more HERE […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LET’S GET SOCIAL

READ MORE OF WHAT I WROTE

WHAT’S NEW?

Categories

Sign up to get Styling Curvy newsletters delivered to your inbox

  • Styling Tips
  • Special Offers
  • Inside My World