#44Bottles
The Story Behind Fragrance Split
“Her joyful spirit brings laughter and happiness to anyone in her life with the same natural ease that a rose blooms and sheds its perfume.”
― Aleksandra Layland.
There’s a story behind Fragrance Split and our #44bottles hashtag that is moving, inspiring and very real.
It’s the story of a courageous woman fighting an unseen, aggressive enemy. It’s a story of a brave man doing whatever it takes to keep his wife strong for one more day. It’s the story of a family who’ve gathered around a mother of 5 who’s been handed a death sentence and refusing to give in to its oppression.
It all began in 2010 when she received the shocking diagnosis of stage three ovarian cancer. Multiple surgeries and chemotherapy followed as did weight loss, hair loss and weakness. After two years of bravely battling her disease, the cancer was gone. The future was looking bright and for four happy years, the family returned to happiness and normality.
Then in 2016, during a routine visit to the doctor, they received the result of a blood test. Their most feared enemy had returned. Despite the chemotherapy treatments that followed this time, the cancer was resistant. She became weaker. Her breathing became labored, and fluid was found around her left lung. During the surgery to drain the fluid, the doctors found a mass growing around her lung. The diagnosis? Stage 4 cancer.
The insurance company denied a payout, stating the “normal” chemo sessions were enough for treatment. Feeling like all hope was lost the family petitioned a chemotherapy drug company who mercifully approved a one-year treatment at no cost. This gave some relief, but not enough.
The dad was barely coping, working himself to the bone trying to keep his family afloat. During treatments and in between surgeries, his wife too worked part time towards the family budget but she was finding it harder to breathe and complete the simplest of tasks. The family pleaded to her to stop working as she grew weaker. She said she could not. She wanted to do her bit to help.
Thinking long and hard, the dad came up with a solution. His natural appreciation for fragrances and cologne led him to a business idea to decant his own fragrance collection and sell it on eBay. He built a website to expand his collection. He pulled together a business plan and pitched the idea to his wife as a way to earn an income from the business and keep her at home. All they needed to do is sell 44 bottles per month to make ends meet.
She was skeptical but he tried to convince her, saying that if the website wouldn’t work, he’d sell the fragrances on eBay, on street corners and even door to door. After all, her health and comfort were the most important priorities.
As her breathing increased in difficulty, she texted him to confirm if 44 bottles was really all they needed to survive the storm. “Yes”, he said. “44 bottles and everything will be fine.” This is our story. The story of a family rallying around the wife and mother we love.
And it can be your story too. By buying one of our decanted fragrances and finding your signature scent, you can help a mother of 5 to be comfortable through these difficult times. 44 bottles a month keeps her rested and gives us hope.
Additionally, a percentage of each sale is donated to the American Cancer Society. If you see the #44Bottles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,
please follow us and share the love, the fragrance and the perfume of how precious life truly is.
Donate to the American Cancer Society Here