October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this one-of-a-kind tartan, made in Scotland and designed in Pennsylvania, is raising funds for cancer charities.

Neville Gardner, the proprietor of Donegal Square, a Celtic store, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has added new items to their Hope for Life collection, a specially designed tartan to raise funds for cancer research.

In the fall of 2019, Gardner took part in the American Cancer Society’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign. This experience inspired him to create a cancer awareness tartan, adding a unique Celtic twist to products supporting cancer research.

Gardner told IrishCentral, "I’ve spent many years of my life finding ways to help our community and bring people from all over together. 

"I was invited to raise money for Cancer Research as a part of the Real Men Wear Pink Campaign in 2019. Weaving the colors of some of the most prevalent cancers into a Tartan – represents the fight and hope for a cure.

"When my wife was later diagnosed with Lymphoma it made the reason behind this tartan even more relevant. Being able to help a cause like cancer research makes it feel like we’re helping to cure a disease that affects almost every family worldwide regardless of class, ethnicity, or religion. This gives some purpose to the everyday work of a retail business and makes a difference."

Working closely with a weaver in Scotland, the tartan was designed so each of the six vibrant colors has a significance. Pink represents breast cancer, light blue for prostate cancer, lime green for lymphoma, lavender for all cancers, white for lung cancer, and the purple to honor caregivers.

Once the tartan was developed, Donegal Square enlisted its customer base to name the tartan. The name “Hope for Life” was chosen because of our hope that someday cancer research will result in a cure.

These one-of-a-kind tartan items are handcrafted in Scotland of 100% wool. Available items include hats, caps, ties, scarves, shawls, stoles, waistcoats, and kilts. A generous portion of the profit from the sale of these products will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

For more information on Hope for Life, visit Donegal Square's website. Visit Donegal Square's bricks and mortar store at 534 Main Street Bethlehem, PA 18018. Phone them on +1 610-866-3244 or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.