TORONTO - When Carol Ann Cole, then a two-year breast-cancer survivor, saw pewter "worry hearts" in a Nova Scotia gift store in 1994, she never dreamed that these hearts would lead to an initiative that, to date, has raised $800,000 for cancer research. Cole, 53, Jewish Women International of Toronto's 1999 Woman of the Year, had lost her mother to the disease just 11 months after they had both been diagnosed. She saw the hearts - designed to soothe the holder during stressful times - and bought 25 to pass out to cancer patients to hold while receiving treatments. She eventually gave away 117 hearts. Her idea was so successful, she took early retirement from her executive position at Bell Canada, and sold the hearts full time to raise funds for breast-cancer research. "I convinced the local manufacturer, Oceanart Pewter, to change the name of the hearts to Comfort Hearts, repackage them, dedicate the project to my mother, and earmark the proceeds to cancer research, and they said 'yes.'

 "The Comfort Heart" initiative was born. It turned out that the owner's sister was a cancer survivor, says Cole. The hearts, which are impressed with a thumbprint, sell for $10 -$6 goes to research. "When someone rubs that thumbprint, it gives them comfort and hope, and serves as a constant reminder that they are not alone". They can think of the person that gave them the heart, or of the people to whom they've given other hearts. I send a note with each heart ordered, so there is a personal touch to it. "If I know someone is having a treatment, or needs a morale boost, I tell them that I'll give my own comfort heart a rub; it helps emit positive feelings". There is a lot of power in positive thinking. People dwell too much on the negative. They are happier if they can force themselves to focus on positive thoughts. It's natural to have a pity party, but people have to eventually think positively. It makes the ordeal a lot easier. "Comfort Hearts, she says, are one small way to join together in the struggle against cancer and other challenges by gaining strength from each other".

The hearts can be worn on a chain or ribbon around the neck, or can be used as a keychain. They can also be engraved to commemorate a special occasion. Cole, who in 1998 received the Canadian Cancer Society's The Terry Fox Citation of Honor and was listed on Maclean's (magazine) honor roll of 12 outstanding Canadians, has also won the Women of Distinction Award from the Halifax YWCA. "When I was told that I was being honored by Jewish Women International, I felt quite humbled. It is an honor that they have reached out beyond the Jewish community," she says. Cole will receive the award at the organization's 43rd annual Covenant Breakfast, to be held Oct. 31 at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel. Covenant Breakfast chair is Emma Lieberman