Breast cancer survivor Linda Griggs offers a wide variety of hands-on healing products for other survivors -- like an inner child notebook with markers for journaling and expressing emotions, a wooden box with instructions on how to create a healing shrine, a non-fiction account of her own cancer journey, and so much more. Griggs, who also teaches workshops and speaks out on cancer as a hero's quest, is now onto something new. She's stringing beads.

Think about this:

"After helping a young breast cancer survivor make a "power necklace" to help pump her up before chemo, I realized perhaps other survivors might benefit from having their own empowering necklaces," Griggs says.

Griggs has begun making necklaces from natural stones associated with chakras she believes are most relevant to survivors. The root chakra, for example is connected with survival, the sacral chakra with emotional balance, the solar plexus chakra with personal power, the heart chakra with giving and receiving love, and the throat chakra with free expression.

Each necklace -- there are earring sets too -- come with an explanation of the stones and chakras involved and each has its own unique name. There is the Amazon Warrior, the Wild Woman, and the Heart Light.

Think about a visit to Griggs' website when you have a moment. And bead all about the resources this one survivor has crafted for those wishing to transcend the depths of cancer.

I was driving down the highway today when I looked to my right and saw out of the corner of my eye a blue pick-up truck. The driver -- a man -- wore a cowboy hat and his passenger -- a woman -- wore a turban and a mask that covered her nose and mouth. It was similar to the yellow paper-like mask I wore during chemotherapy when low blood counts and fevers knocked my body all out of whack. So when I briefly glanced at this woman, I diagnosed her -- with cancer.

I guess my medical radar could be off, my diagnosis could be wrong -- but I suspect not. It was an all-too-familiar sight -- the bald head obviously disguised, the mask warding off germs and infection, the eyes the only visible marking of a face. Yet it was still a startling sight, a sad sight, a sight that never loses its power over me as I travel the highway of life.

I am thankful to still be on the highway -- to not have been tragically run off the road -- and the woman whose path I crossed today may be just fine after her journey with cancer runs its course. But it's such a dismal sight -- the ravages of cancer visibly displayed on the undeserving victims of a harsh disease.

Maybe my approach is all wrong. Perhaps it would be better if my vision today prompted thoughts of a spirited warrior bravely battling a fierce opponent with victory the likely outcome. But instead I saw sickness and sadness. Because this is how I felt -- sick and sad -- when my appearance was marked by a hat and a mask.

But now I am healthy and happy. And I am confident I will one day see my co-survivors in a more hopeful light. There is hope, after all, for each of us diagnosed with this life-threatening disease.

Perhaps after I've been on the road to recovery for a while longer, dismal will turn to dazzle. Perhaps then I will see as much shine in those wearing cancer on their sleeves as I saw today in the blue paint of the truck that passed me on the highway.

Ford has been very active in the race for a breast cancer cure with its Warriors in Pink campaign -- which has raised 87 million dollars and counting -- for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

One of our favorite sibling blogs, Autoblog has posted Ford Bold Moves - Episode 16: The Warriors (and one wicked crash) including video of the Ford Bold Moves web-based documentary series 16th episode which features race car driver Katherine Legge during her recent race at Road America behind the wheel of Warriors in Pink race car. She crashed during the race but was able to make it out without injury and returned to racing as a Warrior in Pink five days later.

After the crash, and the return to racing as a Warrior in Pink, Legge said, "You have to keep trying. You never give up. Basically, I am a firm believer if you want something bad enough you make it happen. So you just keep plugging away. Determination is the name of the game I reckon."

Legge definitively symbolizes the attitude of a warrior.

For more on Warriors in Pink, we have these related posts:

• Warriors in Pink: enter to win new car help create virtual quilt
• Grey's Anatomy cast become Warriors in Pink
• Warriors in Pink: believers survivors fighters
• Ford's Warriors will bang their drums on ABC's The View
  

Thanks to Joel Arellano for alerting us to this story and John Neff for blogging about it!

Grey's Anatomy has teamed up with Warriors in Pink in a sweepstakes called Gear Up with Grey's Anatomy. The Warriors in Pink Prize Package winner will receive a 2007 Ford Fusion, a trip to the Grey's Anatomy set, and a Warrior in Pink apparel package including gear autographed by the cast of Grey's Anatomy. No purchase is necessary to win and the deadline to enter the sweepstakes is 11:59 PM (EST) on December 31, 2006. For more details, and to enter the sweepstakes, visit Warriors in Pink Gear Up with Grey's Anatomy Sweepstakes.

In addition, Warriors in Pink has launched a magnificent virtual quilt online. Breast cancer survivors and co-survivors are invited to contribute to the quilt with a personal message of encouragement, inspiration, love, support and celebration by designing a symbolic patch that will then be added to the Virtual Quilt online. According to the keepers of the Warriors in Pink Virtual Quilt, "There is strength in numbers, and decorated with the Warriors in Pink symbols, each patch is a personal message for friends and loved ones. Experience the vastness and behold the Warriors in Pink beautiful and valiant fight against breast cancer."

The Virtual Quilt is also available as a screensaver. To date, there are 2740 patches. To visit, the Virtual Quilt requires Flash Player 8 or higher.

One hundred percent of the net proceeds from Warriors in Pink merchandise will benefit the Komen Foundation. The collection includes t-shirts, men's thermal wear, gear and temporary tattoos for kids. The items feature bold symbols that represent the warrior spirit of taking charge, living out loud, harnessing power and standing together.

Ford's long standing efforts to the fight against breast cancer has supported the Komen Foundation for twelve years and has contributed more than $87 million in donations.

The cast of ABC's Greys Anatomy will help Ford by appearing in a communication campaign designed to raise awareness of the Warriors in Pink. The doctors and interns of Seattle Grace Hospital show their passion for Ford's Warriors in Pink clothing with a series of ads starting September 4th. Characters such as Derek Shepherd, Preston Burke, George O'Malley, Alex Karev, Richard Webber, Callie Torres, Christina Yang, Miranda Bailey and Addison Shepherd appear in the upcoming ads.

The Ford Motor Company raised over $1.6 million dollars from its Lilly Pulitzer designed breast cancer awareness scarf in 2005. The 2006 scarf will feature Warriors in Pink symbols and is available starting in October at www.fordcares.com.

Ford is calling all warriors to bang your drum -- paint your face -- run -- walk -- and fight for the breast cancer cure. Ford and Ford dealers are recruiting Warriors to ramp up the fight against breast cancer. As the Ford for Warriors in Pink page states, "Ford Warriors in Pink can be found at the Komen Race for the Cure events as always, only now they will arrive as a united front, as one in Warrior gear."

The Warrior gear are symbols and each one carries a meaning. War Paint is worn by Warriors ready to enter battle; The Warriors represent the power and the courageous who fight against breast cancer; Wings honor the angels who have passed after their fight against breast cancer; Crowned Warriors remind us that breast cancer touches the lives of both genders; Feathers represent kinship and are traditionally used in battle; Hearts represent the love in the lives of breast cancer fighters, their family and friends; Chevron is a French word meaning rafter and signifies protection and Plants represent life, growth and survival.

Recently, someone remarked to me that they could not write about cancer every day. During the 30 second I Run video spot featured on the Warriors in Pink web page, there is a little girl who holds up a handwritten sign that says, My Mommy's going to make it. That is why I can write about cancer every day. As a breast cancer survivor, I believe, and I survive and I fight for all the mommies -- so one day little girls won't have to lose their mommies. That is how I can do it. Every day -- for as long as I survive. If you want to join a positive and powerful campaign in the fight against breast cancer, check out  In Every Woman there is a Warrior in Pink.