Each person's experience with ACC is as individual as they are. It can start in the saliva glands, the trachea, the lungs, the breast and other locations, but under the microscope it's all ACC (adenoid cystic carcinoma). It usually grows slowly, but can also have periods of rapid growth. It can recur in the original location, or it can metastasize to distant spots after years of remission. It can turn up in teens, young adults, or middle age adults. Not many people have it, they are often misdiagnosed, and they are spread all over the world. it makes research very difficult.
There are a few different online groups, and my plan is to collect atc cards from survivors/ warriors with this disease, and from family members and caregivers. I'd like them to be hopeful and encouraging, representing each persons unique strength. an atc card is the size of a baseball card. 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. They are decorated with paint, colored pencils, paper, stickers, photos, and media that fits the size requirement. They might feature a name, a word, a quote, a scripture or just an image. After they are collected, the cards will be arranged into a collage and framed.
The finished piece will then be sold to raise money for research. I'm still learning about that part, whether a silent auction at an event would be better, or an online auction. If there are enough people donating cards, I would love to do both. As I receive cards I will post them here and on facebook. At some point in the future, I may use the images in a calendar with permission of the artists.
Anyone who would like to donate a card, or has a question can email me at atcs4ACC@gmail.com.
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