KAREN LEWIS When you give out positive energy to the Universe, it cycles back to you.

I have always been one of those people who stands at life’s edge and says, “Okay Universe, bring it on!”  But when my husband of 38 years was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 58, it truly jolted me into a world I knew nothing about, and I was standing at the precipice.  What I did know, however, was the need to be positive in mind and spirit, and that I had to rise above the pain of the situation.

After my husband’s surgery was successfully performed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, I had this incredible desire to show my gratitude to the staff, and especially to my husband’s surgeon, Dr. Mark Callery, whose skillful hands removed the tumor and redirected my husband’s digestive system.  The need to “give back” began to overwhelm me.

I have worked in the office furniture industry for 30 years, and during that time I have donated furniture several times.  Giving furniture away to organizations in need always gave me great pleasure and satisfaction.  Whenever I was able to do it, I did.  Long before my husband’s diagnosis, the idea of creating a company that would give furniture to nonprofits in need, prevent it from going to landfills, reselling or recycling the remainder, and donating money to charities had been discussed with my two partners.  But at that point, I wasn’t ready to relinquish my time and energy necessary to make a nonprofit work.  However, as my husband progressed through radiation and chemotherapy, I began to feel a passionate, almost spiritual need to see this happen.

Soon after The Furniture Trust (www.thefurnituretrust.org) was established, The Steven Lewis Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center was also created.  Now, with the generosity of corporate America partnering with The Furniture Trust, furniture can be donated and given away, landfills can be prevented, and charitable causes will receive monetary donations.  My cup runneth over!

ON LEGACY:

My husband and I believe that when you give out positive energy to the Universe, it cycles back to you.  Well, it must be working because Steven’s latest CAT scan and blood tests were all clean!

ADVICE: 

1. Go for it!  Life is short.  If there is a cause that beckons you, let your heart lead you in that direction.  You’ll thank yourself!
2. Do it with passion:  If you want to start a nonprofit, it should be something you’re passionate about and believe in fully.  It takes an enormous amount of energy and time.  Believing in your cause will give you the energy needed and help you carve out the time in your schedule.
3. Use your time wisely:  If you are running another company or have other time-consuming responsibilities while you are starting a nonprofit, be sure that your first company or other responsibilities are self-sustaining.  This will free up your mind to focus on your passion.

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