Melissa’s Story

In 2004, at the age of 34, I spent my days wrangling with dirty diapers, scrubbing peas from the floor, and delighting in the giggles of my infant and toddler.

When I received a diagnosis of Stage III breast cancer, I was forced to confront my mortality, and assess my life. After a year of treatment that entailed four surgeries, two rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation, I emerged stronger, but also angry and anxious. I needed a positive focus for that energy.

In 2006, I went on a peer-support adventure for breast cancer survivors with an organization called Amazon Heart. Their literature posed a life-changing question:

What if breast cancer were just the start of an incredible journey?

And an incredible journey it has been. From lying on the examining table during my first biopsy, while holding my six-month old daughter; to appearing topless in a national magazine to promote awareness of and acceptance of women’s bodies after breast cancer; to teaching a college course about the politics of breast cancer; to the decision to start a socially responsible company to make a difference in the lives of others by providing products that help & pamper those confronting surgery.

From the personal transformation that followed my cancer diagnosis and treatment, Hope & Humor was born.

~Melissa Pantel-Ku, co-owner Hope & Humor

Christine's Story

I first met Melissa in September 2008, after cancer. Melissa is a vibrant woman devoted to her family and committed to her ideals. She and I hit it off right away. Within a few months I learned that Melissa is a cancer survivor and that her journey through cancer has inspired in her a desire to live more fully and take on new challenges. Melissa shared with me her idea to design and produce an all organic pajama top that would make it easier for women who have had breast surgery to dress themselves during their recovery. I was impressed with her intial design and with Melissa's committment to producing these tops right here in Northeast Ohio where we both live and where I grew up. Melissa's idea became our inspiration and Hope & Humor was born.

Melissa and my husband, David, spent much of the summer of 2009 tweaking designs, doing product research, making phone calls, writing emails and visiting local sewers Esperanza Threads and North Carolina based organic fabric supplier Spiritex to make the pajama top a reality. David has been a truly driving force behind getting Melissa's idea into the market place.

As inspiration became a reality, those of us at Hope & Humor became excited that we would be fulfilling a need for many women at a difficult time in their life. It quickly became clear that the pj's would also be great comfort to those recovering from heart surgeries, cesearean sections and any type of surgery or condition that limited upper body mobility. Heck, to be honest, after feeling the organic cotton material and trying on the protoype, I couldn't wait to get a pair of these pajamas for myself, just for the feel of it.

Seeing Melissa's dream launch was an inspiration and joy all unto itself. Even with all the work going on to get the company up and running there was plenty of laughter and many good times. Becoming a part of Melissa's life and gaining not only her friendship but that of her equally amazing husband, Ray has shown me what it means to live in hope. This experience of helping make Hope & Humor a reality has driven home what our name is all about. We must always live with hope for our future and the future of those we love. We must always be able to laugh because even the smallest moments spent in joy can carry us through our most difficult journeys.

~ Christine Weiss, co-owner Hope & Humor