The Positive Project Story
In 2016, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. My parents asked the local florist to tie orange ribbons into big bows to hang on the two trees in front of their house in my hometown. None of us knew what the treatment for my cancer would be like so the idea was that I’d get to see the two ribbons – big, bright, and orange for Leukemia – as soon as they let me out of the hospital.
I ended up needing 4 rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, all of which kept me away from home for almost a year.
By the time I made it back, the florist had tied thousands of orange bows. They hung on stop signs, front porches and in the shop windows down main street. They were on light posts, church doors, and on countryside mailboxes well outside the village limits. It seemed like there was an orange ribbon in sight no matter where you looked, and the impact it had on me was massive.
The incredible, contagious, bright, positive support I felt from my hometown is what I set out to capture when I created the Positive Project. I wanted to deliver the sense of belonging and overwhelming support that I felt as a patient to other people. Except instead of hanging up bows, we’re creating artwork that celebrates the mini-victories that keeps patients moving forward; we’re creating a platform for people to tell their own stories, and delivering it through a handwritten card or poster to help someone else who may be feeling the same thing; and we’re donating proceeds from sales to causes that support cancer research and patients.
We believe that Positive Breeds Positive – that every positive action has an equally positive reaction – so we’re delivering as much of it as we can, one metaphorical orange ribbon at a time.
Keep moving forward,
Leah Hennessey
Positive Project founder
Tell Your Story
We love mini-victories and little reminders just as much as the big wins. Tell us about the time you realized you were stronger than cancer, or about how that one nurse made an impact on your journey. Your experiences may help someone else get through their day.
And if you don’t know where to start, send us a note. We have lots of ideas and love to listen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I donate to the Positive Project?
The Positive Project is not a 501(c)(3) so we do not accept donations but, holy cow, thanks for asking! One of our missions is to identify causes that align with our goal to support cancer patients in the best way possible and then direct your donations there. If you know of an event or an organization that is all about delivering hope to people who have been affected by cancer, let us know!
I have words that I'd like you to letter!
We love listening to your stories, being inspired by your words, and turning them into beautiful works of art that can be used to inspire more people! That being said, we simply don’t have enough time in the day to get to absolutely everyone’s requests. The best way to submit your words is via email – positiveproject.us@gmail.com is monitored by our Letterer in Chief.
Where can I buy Positive Project merchandise?
We sell cards, posters, prints and other fun stuff through the Leah Hennessey Design Etsy shop. A portion of all Positive Project sales will be donated to an organization that supports cancer patients, like the Ride for Roswell!
Can I use your artwork for my fundraiser?
Yes! You’re free to use the artwork for fundraisers, benefits, or anything personal. Tell us about it so that we can share it (and get you better files!) We love promoting awesome causes like that.
If you’d like to use the artwork for something commercial, please email positiveproject.us@gmail.com. We’re happy to license any artwork, or create something custom.
About Us
The Positive Project is a passion project founded by designer, hand lettering artist and cancer survivor, Leah Hennessey.