What a Card Can Do: A Simple Gesture with a Powerful Impact featuring Dawn Veselka
- MGA
- Apr 9
- 9 min read
In a world where digital communication often dominates, it’s easy to forget the profound impact a simple handwritten note can have. For those facing the daily challenges of chronic or rare illnesses, a card can mean much more than just a message—it can be a lifeline of connection, support, and hope.
We had the privilege of chatting with Dawn Veselka, the cofounder and president of Cards2Warriors, a movement dedicated to spreading encouragement and love through the power of a personal card. In this interview, Dawn shares her insights into the organization’s journey, the impact they’re making, and the importance of community in the lives of those battling long-term health conditions. From the challenges of building trust to the magic of heartfelt messages, Dawn’s story is one of compassion, determination, and a relentless belief in the power of connection. Join us as we dive into the heart of Cards2Warriors and the incredible difference they’re making, one card at a time.
The Heart
Where it All Began
Cards2Warriors was born from deeply personal roots. Founder Dawn knows firsthand the emotional toll chronic illness can take—her daughter has been living with illness since the age of four. “Being a caregiver, watching what she went through... it's isolating,” she shared. That sense of isolation, combined with the often cold and clinical nature of navigating healthcare, helped plant the seed for something more heartfelt.
“The truth is, nothing good comes in the mail when you're sick,” Dawn said. “You get bills, insurance statements, maybe even collections notices. It's all stress, no joy.” She realized there was an opportunity to change that—to reclaim the mailbox as a space for connection and comfort. Thus, the idea to “drop a little bit of snail mail love into someone’s life” came to life.
Why Cards Matter
Living with a rare or chronic illness can often mean losing touch with the world around you. Friends fade, daily routines change, and your sense of identity can start to unravel. That’s where a simple greeting card becomes so much more.
“I always call a greeting card a tangible reminder that you’re not alone,” Dawn explained. “It’s something you can hold in your hand—a little piece of proof that someone out there is thinking of you.”
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Cards2Warriors grew organically from Dawn’s involvement with the Warrior Card Swap, a program that connects people living with chronic illness through monthly card exchanges. As the Cards2Warriors team began facilitating the swap, they saw firsthand that not everyone is able to send cards—but many still need encouragement.
“I chose Cards to Warriors rather than for Warriors because I wanted the focus to be on the act of giving,” said Dawn. The organization empowers both senders and recipients—some of whom are also living with illness—to find purpose and connection through this simple act of kindness.
Volunteering with Cards2Warriors gives individuals a renewed sense of identity. “For someone who can no longer work due to their illness, being able to say, ‘I’m a card crew member with Cards2Warriors’ can be incredibly empowering,” she said. “It gives people something positive to share when someone asks what they’re up to.”
The Impact of a Simple Card
Creating Real Connection Through Paper and Ink
For many people living with rare or chronic illnesses, a greeting card is far more than just a folded piece of paper—it’s a lifeline. Through Cards2Warriors, that small envelope in the mailbox becomes a meaningful reminder: you are not alone.
What makes the program unique is its focus on personalization. When someone signs up, they have the option to share specific interests, favorite colors, hobbies, or personal touches like their pet’s name. That information is passed along to the volunteers who handwrite cards.
“This way, the person writing the card isn’t just saying, ‘Hang in there,’” Dawn explained. “They might write, ‘I saw you love to read—I just finished a great book you might like,’ or they might doodle something in your favorite color. It’s personal. It’s intentional. And it makes a difference.”
From Crisis to Comfort
The feedback from both card writers and recipients speaks volumes. Volunteers often share how connected they feel to the person they’re writing to—even if they’ve never met. And for those living with illness, receiving a heartfelt message can be transformative.
“We hear it all the time,” said Dawn. “Messages like: ‘I was ready to give up. I didn’t think I could go one more day. And then this card showed up, and I realized I’m not alone.’”
The Power of Choice and Connection
Cards2Warriors offers several ways for people to engage, depending on what they're able to give or receive. Some cards are handwritten; others are beautifully mass-printed with messages created by artists and illness warriors. All of them are carefully curated to bring joy.
For those who want a deeper connection, the Warrior Card Swap—now run under the Cards2Warriors nonprofit umbrella—matches people living with illness for an optional pen pal experience. Participants can choose to “make a friend,” forming long-term connections, or “brighten someone’s day” with no pressure for continued correspondence.
In fact, the swap has facilitated so many deep friendships that some participants jokingly say they had to stop because they made too many new friends!
On the flip side, for privacy and practicality, group-written cards—such as those from schools or employee teams—are sent through Cards2Warriors envelopes with no personal return address. These are meant to uplift without the expectation of a reply.
Emotional Support as a Piece of the Healing Puzzle
Dawn believes strongly in the role emotional support plays in a person’s overall care. “It’s not just about medical appointments and prescriptions. It's about being seen and feeling remembered. That’s what a card can do—it brings light to someone’s day in the midst of darkness.”
Whether it’s from a fellow warrior or a healthy volunteer wanting to make a difference, each card carries the same core message: You matter. You are loved. You are not forgotten.
Community & Connection
Finding and connecting with illness warriors in need of encouragement has been one of the most unexpected challenges for Cards2Warriors. While social media has helped extend their reach, many individuals are understandably hesitant to sign up for things online—especially with ongoing concerns about privacy and data sharing. Even though all programs are completely free, there’s often uncertainty around how personal information might be used.
The organization works hard to be transparent, emphasizing that it is patient- and caregiver-led. Only three team members have access to their secure database, and personal data is never shared. Still, what makes the biggest impact is when someone hears about Cards2Warriors through a trusted friend or fellow warrior. That kind of personal recommendation builds the kind of trust no website or social media post ever could.
Collaborating with other organizations is one of Cards2Warriors’ greatest joys. The team isn’t focused on advocacy, research, or fundraising for a cure—there are already so many incredible organizations doing phenomenal work in those areas. Their niche is snail mail, and they’re proud of it.
Cards2Warriors thrives when working alongside others who see their mission as an added layer of support—offering encouragement and connection to individuals navigating chronic or rare illness. Whether it’s through Happy Mail, card swaps, or campaigns that celebrate medical teams, the team is always eager to partner with groups that recognize the power of a handwritten note to uplift someone’s day. Together, these collaborations create a more complete circle of care.
Creating Meaningful Connection
The way Cards2Warriors fosters connection depends on the specific card program. For Happy Mail and Nominations, cards are typically anonymous and one-way. Volunteers do not receive recipients’ addresses—everything is routed through the organization. However, personal touches are added when possible. Recipients can share favorite colors, pets, hobbies, or a brief bio when signing up. That information is then passed along to volunteers, allowing them to tailor their messages—such as doodling in blue ink for someone who loves the color, or including a book recommendation for a fellow reader.
For individuals seeking deeper connection, the organization offers a Card Swap program exclusively for illness warriors. This peer-to-peer initiative allows participants to opt in to both send and receive cards—or even become pen pals. Many of these connections have blossomed into genuine friendships. In fact, some participants have jokingly said, “I made too many friends—I need a break!” That, as the team likes to say, is the kind of beautiful problem they hope for.
At its core, Cards2Warriors knows it isn’t solving everything. The organization is not a medical provider or an advocacy group. But when someone feels overwhelmed, isolated, or simply needs a reminder that they matter, Cards2Warriors is ready to show up. Sometimes, that one heartfelt gesture is all it takes to carry someone through.
Behind the Scenes
Running Cards2Warriors has proven to be a true labor of love—immensely rewarding, yet far more complex than initially imagined. From developing unexpected technical skills to managing detailed logistics, the journey has been a crash course in persistence. At the core of the organization is a quiet but unwavering belief: the people who need this support will find it—and when they do, the team will be ready.
A significant part of Cards2Warriors’ impact stems from its creative process. Each card is designed by artists living with chronic or rare illnesses, who infuse their lived experiences into every brushstroke and font selection. While the team offers general themes—such as seasonal motifs or expressions of gratitude—the artists bring them to life in deeply personal and empowering ways. These aren’t mass-produced greetings; they are works of art—high-quality, heartfelt, and crafted with care.
Cards are sent out five times a year, each mailing carrying its own unique flair. From the annual You Are Loved Valentine’s campaign to a recent initiative thanking healthcare professionals, each delivery serves as a tangible reminder of the power of connection—not only for patients but also for caregivers, providers, and communities navigating the weight of burnout and stress.
As for the messages inside, authenticity is always the priority. The notes aim to uplift and encourage without falling into toxic positivity. Instead, they offer warmth, gratitude, and the reassurance that it’s okay to not be okay. The words are chosen to meet people where they are and honor their journeys—whatever those may look like.
Looking Ahead
As Greeting Card Month approaches, Cards2Warriors is preparing to celebrate in the way they always do—by sending love through the mail. It's a chance to reflect on how something as small as a handwritten note can shift the course of someone's day, particularly for those carrying the invisible weight of chronic or rare illness.
Looking ahead, the organization holds a bold but beautiful dream: to reach 100,000 cards sent. With more than 44,000 already delivered—and around 11,000 sent just last year—it’s an ambitious leap, but one the team is ready for. The systems are in place, the volunteers are eager, and the heart behind the mission is unwavering. What’s needed now is increased visibility—and a few generous sponsors—to take the next big step.
One of the most powerful truths Cards2Warriors hopes to spread is this: people living with chronic or rare illness are still the same people. Their routines may change and their capabilities may shift—but their humor, hopes, and hearts remain intact. The early days following a diagnosis are often marked by fear and uncertainty. Rebuilding life under new circumstances can take years. During that time, what matters most is steady, genuine support from friends and loved ones. Simply showing up—without needing the perfect words—can mean everything.
That’s the quiet power of card-sending. It’s a simple, non-intrusive way to say: I’m here. I see you.
And sometimes, it changes everything.
One of the most unforgettable stories came from a young woman named Alyssa in Canada. At 27, she was told she had just two months to live. Her message came through the card sign-up form—gentle, but heartbreaking: “I’m not afraid to die, but I’m scared. I don’t want to be alone.”
The team immediately sprang into action, inviting volunteers to write her cards and send photos—pets, heart hands, signs that read “I love you.” The images were printed and strung with twinkle lights, creating a glowing display of connection and care.
Miraculously, the box arrived in just two days. More cards followed from around the world.
After Alyssa passed, her mother reached out. No one else had come to say goodbye, but Alyssa lit up when the cards arrived. She had her lights. Her photos. Her love. She wasn’t alone.
Years earlier, Alyssa had tried to start a card swap herself, but no one wrote back. Her mom said, “I guess she got them all when she needed them most.”
This is why Cards2Warriors exists. Even when nothing else can be fixed, the team continues to show up—reminding others that they are not forgotten, and they are not alone.
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