CAREHERO | Shirt

DESIGN 5 | CAREHERO 
A portmanteau of caregiver and unsung hero. In cancer, the unsung hero is the caregiver and so much of the work they do to keep us alive goes unrecognized. 
November is Caregiver Awareness Month. 
The inspiration for this was Laura M. Ahmed. So much can be said for all she did to keep me alive and not only through chemotherapy but through a global pandemic. The risk of infection was that much higher and deadlier for me. 
As we reflected though and talked with Dr. Shaw (Laura’s godfather), we came to recognize the word caregiver as being a bit of a misnomer. Technically, our carepartner’s seldom give us care. Instead, they are there with us, experiencing the pain with us, and being the rock of a support that we all need in those hard dark times. They make sure we get to appointments on time, eat, bathe, and do basic tasks of living. They carry a huge burden of responsibility without any of the glory. 
Everyone talks about the cancer patient. Everyone asks about us. But often, our partners, our heroes who are there in the dark of the night when we’re vomiting or are in an insane amount of pain that we can’t even garner the energy to call our doctor, they are there supporting us, helping us, and calling the doctor for us. 
Look up the word hero and it’ll become clear that what our partners do is the definition of it. 
SYMBOL: 
Caduceus. Often, the Caduceus and Rod of Asclepius are confused. Asclepius is the symbol of medicine and healing. Caduceus is the staff of Hermes and has many meanings. Because of its balanced and appealing aesthetics (two serpents and wings), it is used in the West incorrectly for medicine. I chose it for a reason. 
The Caduceus if applied to the dying, their death is gentle. If applied to the dead, they returned to life. 
I feel caregivers, care-partners, careheros — whatever you choose to call them — are the hero’s that bring us back from our zombie states. And, when the news is grim, they are there in our sorrow and always have and would help us transition more gently. 
I want them to have something that recognizes their heroic spirit and celebrates them for it. 
 
Actually soft and comfortable!
 
This should fit like a well-loved favorite; featuring a crew neck, short sleeves and designed with superior combed and ring-spun cotton.
 
Unisex Fit 
Tear-away label
Side seamed
Shoulder taping
4.2-ounce, 100% Airlume combed and ring spun cotton