my story

Lara was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 30, 7 months pregnant with her second son.  A woman Lara had never met, but with whom she shared a mutual friend sent her a package. Inside were beautiful scarves she wore during cancer treatment and a note saying, “You can do this.” The scarves were both practical and inspiring, and knowing someone else had worn the scarves and faced cancer helped Lara believe she could do it, too. Not long after she finished treatment, Lara went to a Young Survival Coalition Conference. She packed several scarves in hopes that she could pass them along to another woman, as had so graciously been done for her. There, Lara met Roberta and they laughed together as she showed her different ways to wear a scarf. Upon the completion of her treatment, Roberta sent the scarves back to Lara. She had since moved, and one of the first friends she met, Brooke, was starting treatment. Lara brought a scarf to Brooke’s house and they laughed through their tears about what it is like to lose your hair. This whole time Lara couldn’t stop thinking about the amazing journey these scarves were on.

founder of hope scarves

So, Lara created Hope Scarves in 2012 as a way to capture these beautiful stories and encourage others. The program started in her spare bedroom with her toddler volunteer by her side, sending out 2-3 Hope Scarves a week. Today Hope Scarves is a bustling office of volunteers and staff, sending nearly 50 scarves a week all around the world. Hope Scarves has sent nearly 13,000 scarves to every state and 24 countries, to people facing over 90 different types of cancer. The oldest recipient is 97 and the youngest, 2. The Hope Scarf Collection, which changes constantly, contains over 15,000 scarves and over 1,200 stories.

lover of life

After almost 7 years in remission, Lara faces cancer again.  She was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in January 2014. Lara started Hope Scarves to spread hope, which she holds onto now more than ever.

Sharing a message of hope.

Lara has spoken, presented and written for companies, organizations and media outlets.

watch the film

A Hopeful Life is an extension of Hope Scarves, the non-profit organization Lara founded in 2012.

We encourage people facing all types of cancer by sending out scarves and stories of hope, shared with us by thousands of courageous survivors.  Our mission extends to support research as well- a portion of every dollar raised funds metastatic breast cancer research.

Through connection & collaboration, we’re changing the way people experience cancer.