april 21, 2022
WINNING LINEUP – CARDINALS’ ASSISTANT HITTING COACH, TURNER WARD, TEAMS UP WITH ST. LOUIS SHOE DESIGNER TO RAISE SUPPORT FOR BREAST CANCER RECOVERY
St. Louis, Missouri (April tbd, 2022) – When Cardinals’ hitting coach Turner Ward received the life- altering news that his wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, he could not have anticipated the journey the couple would have to face together. After 14 surgeries spanning more than nine years, Ward’s wife Donna, now cancer-free, is an advocate for women battling breast cancer, as well as the painful journey through treatment and surgery that often follows this diagnosis. Donna shares the story of her own path to recovery in her book “Unexpected Hope – a Journey of Cancer and Faith.”
“Donna and I have been so blessed in this difficult journey through cancer and words cannot express how grateful we are to the people who have supported our mission of helping women through the struggle of breast cancer,” Ward said.
The couple, high school sweethearts who married in 1988, founded the non-profit organization Hope 4110 to help restore hope to women with breast cancer and breast reconstruction through financial assistance and awareness.
The Ward’s most recent project comes just on the heels of Turner’s new role as assistant hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. The couple has partnered with St. Louis-based women’s shoe designer Claire Flowers to design an exclusive line of baseball-themed shoes with a portion of the sales going to the Hope 4110 Foundation. Information on purchasing shoes, fittingly named “The Donna” and “The Hope,” can be found at Hope4110.com.
“I am so excited to be able to partner with Donna and to support the Hope 4110 Foundation. We met several years ago in Daphne, Ala., at a trunk show,” Flowers said. “I never imagined that Turner would become the assistant hitting coach for my hometown team. It’s really crazy how the universe has brought everything together. It was just meant to be.” Claire Flowers Boutique will also hold a drawing for a pair of the these specially-designed shoes featuring the number and signature belonging to Cardinals' first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt, whose relationship with the Wards dates back to 2011 when Turner was managing the Double A affiliate for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Less than two years later, they were both in the majors, where Turner had also spent a decade as a switch-hitting outfielder himself. It’s during that time that the two really connected and Turner became a mentor to Goldschmidt.
“He and I would sit and talk every day and hit in the cage,” Goldschmidt said. “Usually, we would sit for 20-30 minutes sometime throughout the day, just hanging out in the dugout before the game. We would sit and talk baseball, life, whatever. He was one of the first guys I ever read the Bible with, and I asked him a lot of questions. Turner makes no secret about what he believes, so he was a guy I would turn to ask questions. We spent so much time together.”
The Wards have partnered with Flowers to raise money for women battling breast cancer over the past several years and said they can’t believe how this latest project has brought them together again. “Never did I imagine when I met Claire two years ago that my husband would end up in St. Louis coaching the Cardinals in Claire‘s hometown, which also happens to be the team that Paul Goldschmidt plays for as well,” Donna said. “Paul and his wife Amy are dear friends of ours, and Amy came up with the idea for Paul to autograph the baseball-themed shoes and raffle it off to help our foundation. It’s pretty amazing how this all has lined up.”
The winner of the drawing will be announced on May 20th. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will benefit Hope 4110. Tickets are available by emailing samantha@claireflowers.com or by stopping by the Claire Flowers Boutique in Clayton at 8500 Maryland Avenue, Suite 306, St. Louis, MO. For more information visit www.claireflowers.com or www.Hope4110.com.
ABOUT HOPE 4110
Hope 4110 was started by Donna Ward and her husband, former Major League Baseball Player for 16 seasons and former MLB hitting coach for 8 seasons, Turner Ward. Donna is a breast cancer survivor with a passion for women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Donna has undergone 13 breast reconstruction surgeries after her double mastectomy in 2012. Hope 4110 is committed to helping women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Our goal is not only to help restore HOPE to women with financial help but to educate them in all of their breast reconstruction options. For more information, visit www.Hope4110.com or www.donnamarieward.com.
ABOUT CLAIRE FLOWERS
Claire Flowers is a St. Louis native who has a passion for making things better. While working in the IT industry, Claire attended a week-long training in New York City that prompted the idea for a women’s shoe that is comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, durable enough to handle the wear and tear a professional woman puts on her footwear. She soon resigned from her full-time technology career to make this idea a reality, forming Claire Flowers LLC in 2014. Gaining notoriety and brand recognition in her hometown, Flowers has found success by marrying innovation and classic design. She has expanded her business in the spirit of creating professional women’s apparel that is resilient, versatile and timeless. Claire Flowers footwear and apparel focuses on textiles, silhouettes and colors for professional women who value function and fashion. For more information, visit www.claireflowers.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Denham pdenham6400@att.net C: 251.656.3843
september 12, 2021
DAPHNE’S SHOE BOUTIQUE & DESIGNER CLAIRE FLOWERS TO HOST SPECIAL SHOPPING EVENT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH THE SECOND ANNUAL “A NIGHT OF HOPE”
Portion of proceeds to benefit the Turner & Donna Ward’s Hope 4110 Foundation
Daphne, AL (September 13, 2021) — Daphne’s Shoe Boutique is rolling out the pink carpet to announce a special shopping event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
In partnership with Daphne Shoe Boutique, Claire Flowers Designs, Pamela Denham & Associates, and Stokley Garden Express, 20 percent of all sales from the event will benefit the Hope 4110 Foundation whose mission is to help women facing breast cancer, breast reconstruction and failed breast reconstruction.
Schedule of events:
- 10:00 a.m. - Bobby Brown make-up artist
- 5:30 p.m. - Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks
- 6:00 p.m. - Music provided by Catiwompus
- 7:00 p.m. - Special guest Donna Ward to speak. A breast cancer survivor, Ward is the author of “Unexpected Hope: A Journey of Cancer & Faith.” She and her husband, Turner Ward founded Hope 4110, a non-profit organization that helps women facing breast cancer, breast reconstruction, and failed breast reconstruction.
- Silent auction – to include baseball memorabilia, Paul Goldschmidt-autographed jersey and baseball, plus autographed baseballs from Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Nolan Arenado; and other items from local boutiques and restaurants
When speaking of the benefit, Daphne Robinson, owner of Daphne’s Shoe Boutique said, "My husband and I opened the shoe boutique to invest in our community. We wanted to provide a location for people to gather and enjoy our town. This event is exactly what we envisioned to allow the community to support a wonderful cause that is personal to most people, as we all know someone affected by breast cancer.”
Donna Ward added, “I am so excited about this very special, fun event and honored to be a part of it. Daphne Shoe Boutique, Claire Flowers Designs, Pamela Denham & Associates, and Stokley Garden Express, partnering together to support the goals of my foundation, Hope 4110, is something for which I am very grateful.”
Missouri-based owner/designer Claire Flowers will also be on site showcasing the debut of The Donna & The Hope shoes, a special design collaboration by Donna Ward & Claire Flowers, an element recently added to her brand in support of breast cancer awareness.
“Since 2017, my company, Claire Flowers, has donated every October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), to an organization that helps women with breast cancer. The first year we added special hot pink heel caps to the design of our shoes. A percentage of all net sales of these special shoes with the pink heel caps was donated to The Siteman Cancer Research Center in St. Louis, MO,” Flowers said. “After this first project, the requests poured in to continue with this hot pink heel cap design. It is now an official pink tip signature design element of the Brand and it has been trademarked. Claire Flowers has maintained our commitment to supporting this important cause. We are excited to partner with Daphne’s Shoe Boutique, Donna Ward and Pamela Denham & Associates to support Donna’s Hope 4110 Foundation and her book, ‘Unexpected Hope’ at this special event.”
Daphne’s Shoe Boutique is located at 818 Manci Avenue in downtown Daphne, Al. For more information, contact Daphne’s Shoe Boutique at (251) 525-8755.
ABOUT CLAIRE FLOWERS DESIGNS
Claire Flowers is a St. Louis native who has a passion for making things better. While working in IT, Claire attended a week-long training in New York City that prompted the idea for a women’s shoe that is comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, durable enough to handle the wear and tear a professional woman puts on her footwear. She soon quit her full-time technology career to make this idea a reality, forming Claire Flowers LLC in 2014.
Gaining notoriety and brand recognition in her hometown, Claire has found success by marrying innovation and classic design. She has expanded her business in the spirit of creating professional women’s apparel that is resilient, versatile, and timeless. Claire Flowers footwear and apparel focuses on textiles, silhouettes and colors for professional women who value function and fashion.
In her journey to the top, Claire believed in supporting and mentoring others along the way. She is active on several boards and charities, including The Women’s Leadership Council, the National Association of Professional Women, Women’s President Association, Gateway Stem advisory board, House of Genius, Purses and Pumps for Pooches and Pals (Humane Society of Missouri), Connections For Success and Lift For Life Academy Fashion Show. For more information, visit www.claireflowers.com.
ABOUT DONNA WARD & HOPE 4110 FOUNDATION
Hope 4110 was started by Donna Ward and her husband, former Major League Baseball player and coach, Turner Ward. Donna is a breast cancer survivor with a passion for women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Donna has undergone 12 breast reconstruction surgeries after her double mastectomy in 2012. Hope 4110 is committed to helping women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Our goal is not only to help restore HOPE to women but to educate them regarding all breast reconstruction options.
MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Denham pdenham6400@att.net C: 251.656.3843
Donna and Turner Ward
september 21, 2020
DAPHNE’S SHOE BOUTIQUE & DESIGNER CLAIRE FLOWERS TO HOST SPECIAL SHOPPING EVENT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Portion of proceeds to benefit the Hope 4110 Foundation
Daphne, AL (September 21, 2020) — Daphne’s Shoe Boutique is excited to announce a special shopping event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Thursday, Oct. 29. In partnership with Claire Flowers Designs, 20 percent of all sales from the event will benefit the Hope 4110 Foundation to help women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction.
"My husband and I opened the shoe boutique to invest in our community. We wanted to provide a location for people to gather and enjoy our town. This event is exactly what we envisioned to allow the community to support a wonderful cause that is personal to most people as we all know someone affected by breast cancer,” said Daphne Robinson, owner of Daphne’s Shoe Boutique. The all-day shopping event will begin at 10 a.m. with special guest Donna Ward set to speak at 6 p.m. A breast cancer survivor, Ward is the author of “Unexpected Hope: A Journey of Cancer & Faith”. She and her husband, Turner Ward founded Hope 4110, a non-profit organization that helps women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. “I am so excited about this fun event & honored to be a part of it. Daphne’s Shoe Boutique and Claire Flowers partnering together to support the goals of my foundation, Hope4110, is something for which I am very grateful,” says Donna Ward.
Missouri-based owner/designer Claire Flowers will also be on site showcasing her signature hot pink heel capped footwear, an element recently added to her brand in support of breast cancer awareness. “Since 2017, my company, Claire Flowers, has donated every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to an organization that helps women with breast cancer. The first year we added special hot pink heel caps to the design of our shoes. A percentage of all net sales of these special shoes with the pink heel caps was donated to The Siteman Cancer Research Center in St. Louis, MO,” Flowers said. “After this first project, the requests poured in to continue with this hot pink heel cap design. It is now an official pink tip signature design element of the Brand and it has been trademarked. Claire Flowers has maintained our commitment to supporting this important cause. We are excited to partner with Daphne’s Shoe Boutique, Donna Ward and Pamela Denham & Associates to support Donna’s Hope 4110 Foundation and her book, ‘Unexpected Hope’ at this special event.”
Daphne’s Shoe Boutique is located at 818 Manci Avenue in downtown Daphne, Al. Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served at the event. For more information, contact Daphne’s Shoe Boutique at (251) 525-8755.
ABOUT CLAIRE FLOWERS DESIGNS
Claire Flowers is a St. Louis native who has a passion for making things better. While working in IT, Claire attended a week-long training in New York City that prompted the idea for a women’s shoe that is comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, durable enough to handle the wear and tear a professional woman puts on her footwear. She soon quit her full-time technology career to make this idea a reality, forming Claire Flowers LLC in 2014. Gaining notoriety and brand recognition in her hometown, Claire has found success by marrying innovation and classic design. She has expanded her business in the spirit of creating professional women’s apparel that is resilient, versatile, and timeless. Claire Flowers footwear and apparel focuses on textiles, silhouettes and colors for professional women who value function and fashion. In her journey to the top, Claire believed in supporting and mentoring others along the way. She is active on several boards and charities, including The Women’s Leadership Council, the National Association of Professional Women, Women’s President Association, Gateway Stem advisory board, House of Genius, Purses and Pumps for Pooches and Pals (Humane Society of Missouri), Connections For Success and Lift For Life Academy Fashion Show. For more information, visit www.claireflowers.com.
ABOUT DONNA WARD & HOPE 4110 FOUNDATION
Hope 4110 was started by Donna Ward and her husband, former Major League Baseball player, Turner Ward. Donna is a breast cancer survivor with a passion for women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Donna has undergone 12 breast reconstruction surgeries after her double mastectomy in 2012. Hope4110 is committed to helping women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Our goal is not only to help restore HOPE to women but to educate them regarding all breast reconstruction options.
MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Denham pdenham6400@att.net C: 251.656.3843
Donna Ward and Claire Flowers
july 30, 2020
ANNOUNCING NEWLY RELEASED BOOK – “UNEXPECTED HOPE”
Book Signing/Speaking Event with Donna and Turner Ward at Page & Palette on Thursday, August 27
Mobile, AL (July 30, 2020) – Donna and Turner Ward will speak on Thursday, August 27 beginning at 6 p.m. at Page and Palette Bookstore located at 32 S. Section Street in Fairhope, AL. Together they will share their powerful and vulnerable testimony of Donna’s arduous battle with cancer.
“It is Cancer.” Those three words would send Donna Ward, wife of former major leaguer and current MLB coach Turner Ward, on a terrifying journey. First came the double mastectomy, resulting in overwhelming pain and a body that would not heal. Over the next eight years, Donna would face eleven more surgeries to repair the damage. The constant suffering and exhaustion left her questioning God, whom she had trusted since a child. Yet today she is convinced cancer has been one of the greatest gifts of her life.
Through raw and vulnerable journal entries, Ward takes us on her journey. She uses current narrative sections to speak of what she has learned since writing those words. Her deeply moving story is one of faith in God, love between husband and wife, and hope.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM READING UNEXPECTED HOPE & ATTENDING A SPEAKING EVENT WITH DONNA/DONNA AND TURNER WARD? Anyone who has fallen into deep, dark, and desperate place of hopelessness due to unexpected life events.
ABOUT DONNA WARD
Author and speaker, Donna Ward is the mom to three and wife of her high school sweetheart, Turner Ward. They have been married for 31 years. She is a breast cancer survivor and author of Unexpected Hope - A Journey of Cancer & Faith. She is the founder of hope4110, a non-profit that helps women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Learn more at hope4110.com and donnamarieward.com.
WHY THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN
“Life was predictable, and then, in a moment, everything changed. My stable world became a world of unknown and fear. I have a story that needs to be told. A story of HOPE. A cancer diagnosis followed by 12 surgeries in 7 years has been a journey of pain, suffering, and questioning in the God that I have trusted in, all my life. The cancer has been probably one of the greatest gifts of my life” -Donna Ward, Author & Speaker BOOK ACCOLADES
“A powerful and vulnerable testimony of an arduous battle with cancer, told with heartrending intimacy through journal entries. Unexpected Hope will encourage others walking through similar circumstances.” ~ Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker, Lead Pastor National Community Church
“Donna exemplifies what it means to live second—by trusting and serving God first in all circumstances. Her real and authentic story of continued faith and growing intimacy with God through her cancer diagnosis and medical trials is a truly inspiring one that points all who encounter it directly to the cross.” ~ I Am Second
“I have known Donna and Turner Ward for years and watched them go through this treacherous journey. This is an inspiring and gripping account of all they faced. Donna’s honesty about her struggles reveals a faith that is fragile at times but never failing.” ~ Orel Hershiser, Broadcaster for the L.A. Dodgers
FEATURED MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS
· Turner and Donna Ward are featured in A White Chair Film with I Am Second (iamsecond.com/thewards).
· Featured in (2) I Am Second blog post(s): iamsecond.com Blog: “5 Surprising Truths from a Cancer Survivor and Husband” (October 25, 2019) - https://blog.iamsecond.com/5-surprisingtruths-from-a-cancer-survivor-and-husband
· Blog: “3 Reasons Why a Change of Plan Doesn’t Mean Failure” (January 03, 2020) - https://blog.iamsecond.com/3-reasonswhy-a-change-of-plan-doesnt-mean-failure
· Jason Romano with Sports Spectrum *Sports Spectrum Podcast episode 409 interview with Turner and Donna Ward - Baseball, Faith and Cancer (listen on Spotify)
UPCOMING EVENT – TO SCHEDULE INTERVIEW/SPEAKING/SIGNING EVENT: Page and Palette Bookstore located at 32 S. Section Street in Fairhope, AL. For more information and to scheduled speaking/signing engagements with Donna and Turner Ward, call 251.928.5295 or visit donnamarieward.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Denham pdenham6400@att.net C: 251.656.3843
march 30, 2020
Unexpected Hope is Now Available
I am so excited to announce that Unexpected Hope has been released. If you buy the hardcover, expect a delay in shipping due to Amazon's Covid-19 policy. The ebook is available for immediate download, at the low price of $3.99. During these challenging times, my prayer is that Unexpected Hope will inspire and uplift you, reminding you of God’s power over all.
Live with Hope,
Donna ebook: https://donnamarieward.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a9cec39103e1b0c93e05345f&id=42877c89ed&e=6c86dd5d64 Hardback: https://donnamarieward.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a9cec39103e1b0c93e05345f&id=6b3d7c64d6&e=6c86dd5d64
