A. How Milla Correspondence Began (1)

Welcome to Milla Correspondence:

Witty, Whimsical cards for Those Affected by Breast Cancer.

To view the collection and find out more about Milla Correspondence, please use the Site Directory to the left of the page.

Thank you for visiting Milla Correspondence!

Hot Off the Presses!

Fabulous News for Milla Correspondence -- SHAPE Magazine Coverage!

Milla Correspondence was featured in the amazing SHAPE Magazine (November 2008 Issue).

Thank you all for your continued support of my little venture.

Cheers,
Milla







London News
Milla Correspondence was just featured in "Cancer Cures," an independent supplement featured within the London Telegraph on Sunday, October 12, 2008. It is very exciting to be featured within this national newspaper, which reaches 1.4 million readers in the UK. To read the entire edition, click here.






































UK Shoppers....now you can get yours too!
Milla Correspondence is now being sold at Bouf.com (recently featured in Daily Candy) for UK customers only.

A. How Milla Correspondence Began

I had just turned 27 years old when I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in July 2007, a few days before I was scheduled to move from New York City to London. I went through a lumpectomy surgery, followed by 18-long weeks of chemotherapy and then a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (that's both boobies for those of you who thankfully never needed to learn the lingo), with the weekly expanding process and then the final exchange surgery. Whew!



Now that my experience is over (not including the stress-inducing follow-up appointments!) I wanted to give a little something back to others in my situation, to the friends and family who provide strength and courage to those afflicted and to benefit charities close to my heart. It took me a long time to figure out how best to channel this need and desire, until two things made me say, "Ja!" (Swedish for "Yes!").

As a child, I would spend hours drawing cards for my mother, who unfortunately lost her battle to breast cancer in 1995. My love for drawing continued and I've kept up my hobby of making personalized cards for people in my life to celebrate very special occasions. At the end of my experience (my final surgery), I had drawn thank you cards that featured two round circles with two dots inside them. This was my depiction of my new breasts.

My friend J thought it was hysterical, and one night over too many glasses of wine, she asked, "Why don't you start a business? I'm sure other cancer-stricken women your age would really appreciate an honest yet witty look at the experience of breast cancer!"

And, so, Milla Correspondence began. I am still in the initial stages of launching the business end of it (see "How to Buy" for the simple steps on purchasing the card collection) but I wanted to share the collection with you as quickly as possible!

Thank you for checking out the Collection and this Site; please feel free to email me with any questions at:
MillaCorrespondence@gmail.com

G. Wholesale Opportunities

If you are a boutique or shop and would like to offer Milla Correspondence Cards in your establishment, please email me at MillaCorrespondence@gmail.com for wholesale prices. Thank you!

About Milla...

Camilla Davidsson, "Milla," is a 28-year old breast cancer survivor who shares her time between London and New York City. She graduated from Bucknell University in 2002 and moved directly to Manhattan, where she landed a position at Allure Magazine. Following that, she also worked at Harper's Bazaar Magazine and Gourmet Magazine handling special events and marketing programs for elite clients.

She is currently pursuing a Masters of Letters in Art History and Connoisseurship at Christie's in London. She has never been formally trained in illustration but hopes that her drawings will bring joy to those going through this tough experience called cancer.

Policy Page

ORDERING
Please contact me by email at MillaCorrespondence@gmail.com to order any greeting cards viewed on this website. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response.

PRICES
All prices for cards are listed retail. Sales tax (8.75%) will be applied to all orders placed from residents in New York State. I do not collect taxes from other states.

SHIPPING CHARGE
Please note that I do charge flat $3 shipping and handling fee for regular orders. Additional shipping charges will be applied to your order based on quantity and weight, if a rush order is requested. We will discuss shipping options based on the desired arrival date and estimated fees.

PAYMENTS
All payments shall be made in full prior to shipment. All payments to be made via Pay Pal.

DELIVERY
Please allow 2 weeks delivery, unless other arrangements have been agreed upon in advance. Milla Correspondence is not responsible for lost packages by mail courier. International customers, I will not describe package as "gifts". I know it may decrease customs fees, but I find that this often raises a red flag with customs and keeps you from receiving the item on time and in sound condition.

RETURN POLICY
I accept returns on any purchase for any reason, within ten (10) days of receipt. I believe not seeing the item right in front of you is the downside of buying/selling online, so I am happy to take things back that do not fulfill your expectations.

Returns must be done within ten (10) days of item receipt in untouched, original packaging. Please note that I refund the purchase, but not shipping; return shipment costs is the sole responsibility of the customer.

LOST ITEMS
If an item is lost, we will follow the carriers tracking procedures and they issue the refund. Note, the United States Postal office will not initiate any tracking until after one month after the item was posted, so patience is required.

ARTISTRY
Please note that all illustrations are hand-drawn and reflect the personal style of the creator, Camilla Davidsson. Any "flaws" within the illustration are representative of the hand-drawn quality. Note that colors on the screen may not exactly match the color represented on the cards. No part of this site, or the work featured, may be used or repurposed without the written permission of the creator, Camilla Davidsson.

PRIVACY POLICY
Milla Correspondence recognizes the importance of your privacy, especially when it deals with potentially life-threatening illnesses like cancer. I will not use your personal information to market any of our products or services if you opt out. To opt out, please send me an email requesting to be removed from the mailing list.

How Do I Get One...or Several Cards?

It is easy to purchase one or more cards, just follow these easy steps:

1. Review The Collection on this site and make note of your favorites.
2. Email me at MillaCorrespondence@gmail.com and let me know which cards you are interested in purchasing. We will go over desired shipping and pricing. 
3. I will register your selections in our internal system and generate an invoice via PayPal.
4. You will receive an email directly from PayPal with the final invoice, the total amount due to Milla Correspondence and a link for immediate payment.
5. Follow the steps provided by PayPal for fast, easy and secure payment. You can make a payment with an accepted credit card, bank and PayPal payment online; you only need a PayPal account for the "PayPal payment" option.
6. Upon receipt of final payment, I will send you your selections.
7. A portion of the card sale will be donated to a cancer-related charity. 

I look forward to chatting with you!

View The Collection

The launch collection offers five cards, each featuring hand-drawn illustrations on the front of the card and a witty message in the interior fold.

CARD 001: MY CUPS RUNNETH OVER


DETAILS
Exterior Image: Pink Polka-dot Brassiere with Purple trim
Interior Text: My Cups Runneth Over. Thank You.
Card Size: 4 3/8 inches x 5 3/5 inches (folded - vertical)
Card Stock: 110# Strathmore Solar White Linen; slightly textured white.
Price (per card, including corresponding envelope): $3.50

A play on words for the phrase "My cup runneth over" from the Bible, Psalms 23:5. This is the perfect card for someone who is undergoing treatment who wants to send a thank you card to those around them. Alternatively, this card can also work for anyone who is fundraising for breast cancer and wants to send a funny card to those who have helped contribute to the cause.


CARD 002: FABULOUS, FANCY PANTIES!


DETAILS
Exterior Image: Variety of panties (red/white/blue; Green; Pink)
Interior Text: I Know You Won't Be Needing a Bra After Your Mastectomy...So Here's to Fabulous, Fancy Panties!
Card Size: 4 3/8 inches x 5 3/5 inches (folded - vertical)
Card Stock: 110# Strathmore Solar White Linen; slightly textured white.
Price (per card, including corresponding envelope): $3.50

This card celebrates that there is always an upside to any situation, even one as serious and terrifying as a mastectomy. It certainly pokes fun of the fact that we need to celebrate what we have left once the surgery is completed. This would also be a great card to include with a gift of beautiful and fancy underwear, given to the woman who has just woken up from surgery.


CARD 003: SOME EXTRA SUPPORT


DETAILS
Exterior Image: Variety of Bra's (Orange, Pink, Green and Purple)
Interior Text: Thought You Might Need Some Extra Support
Card Size: 4 3/8 inches x 5 3/5 inches (folded - vertical)
Card Stock: 110# Strathmore Solar White Linen; slightly textured white.
Price (per card, including corresponding envelope): $3.50

We all know that bra's offer a woman support, and with breast cancer, women need a lot of support -- so one bra just would not do! This card offers encouragement and support during this difficult time. This would also work perfectly as a group card, where several people would take part in signing it.


CARD 004: THE CHAIR


DETAILS
Exterior Image: A Sitting Chair (Green with Blue Trim)
Interior Text: I Wish I Could Sit In Your Place
Card Size: 4 3/8 inches x 5 3/5 inches (folded - vertical)
Card Stock: 110# Strathmore Solar White Linen; slightly textured white.
Price (per card, including corresponding envelope): $3.50

I often heard this sentiment from friends and especially family -- that they wish they could take my place and do this for me. This is a great way to offer support and empathy to the person with cancer. Originally this card was created for those undergoing chemotherapy and who have to face the "Chemo chair" every other week (or more often). This card works well in either situation.


CARD 005: HAT DAY


DETAILS
Exterior Image: Series of Hats on Hat Stands (Orange/Burnt Sienna, Purple/Blue, Green)
Interior Text: In A Perfect World, Every Day Would Be Hat Day
Card Size: 4 3/8 inches x 5 3/5 inches (folded - horizontal)
Card Stock: 110# Strathmore Solar White Linen; slightly textured white.
Price (per card, including corresponding envelope): $3.50

One of the most traumatic moments of breast cancer treatment is the inevitable hair loss. Those going through it may chose to purchase a wig, or they may accessorize with scarves or hats. This card celebrates the many different fashions one can choose and in a perfect world, everyone would be bald, wearing hats and scarves!

BACK OF THE CARDS
All cards feature the following on the back of the cards:



PACKAGING
All cards are individually packaged in a clear glassine envelope.

Charitable Contribution

I hope you enjoy the sentiment of the cards and that you may find something for yourself or for someone in your life who may be battling cancer. Every purchase you make contributes to a cancer-related organization close to my heart—Fertile Hope, Memorial Sloan-Kettering and/or Susan G. Komen.

A portion of the proceeds from each card sold will be donated to one of the aforementioned organization on an on-going basis. One month it will be Fertile Hope, the second month it will be Memorial Sloan-kettering and the third month it will be Susan G. Komen, and so on & so forth.

If you would like to donate to them directly or to learn more about their programs, simply click on the appropriate link on the left-hand side of the page.

Thank you!

The Oscars Speech...

Someone once said, "It Takes a Village," and I whole-heartedly agree. I wouldn't have been able to get through this year without my village and I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge those that have been instrumental in helping me get Milla Correspondence off the ground:

Jennifer Pastore, Aimee Hoffner, Carl-Ivar Ahlqvist, Erica Boeke, Anne Woodard, Ma Boeke, Kathleen Manstream, XX, XX, XX. 

Thank you for your help and support!