Fresh Start for Teacher; New Outlook on Life for Others

3 Little Birds 4 Life started out as a way for a grieving sister to celebrate her brother's life.

Ashley Swip founded the non-profit organization after her brother, Tyler Gifford, died of melanoma in 2011. She was looking for a way to enhance the lives of young, adult cancer patients.

In the short time that has elapsed since then, 3 Little Birds 4 Life has evolved into an organization that also enriches the lives of the volunteers who work to make wishes come true through the donation of money, time and services.

Krista Swip, Ashley's sister-in-law, serves on the board of the Chicago chapter of 3 Little Birds 4 Life. She works by day as a corporate lawyer and by night as a good samaritan. Lauren Greenwood runs a kitchen products business in Chicago and works as a wish champion.

"Well, as a single person living in the city, running a business, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stresses of my life," Greenwood said. "I just realized I probably could benefit from working with the people at 3 Little Birds and also the wish recipients to put my life in a perspective.

"I have so much to be thankful and happy for and also I have an opportunity to help other people."

Greenwood is inspired by the people she meets and the stories she comes across, most recently that of Minooka Community High School science teacher Sam Pavelka and his battle to beat Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare disease in which cancer cells are formed in the bone or in soft tissue.

"I almost feel guilty that I'm getting more out of this process than Sam would be getting out of this process," Greenwood said. "Just helping me realize life is short and beautiful and something you shouldn't take for granted."

Why 3 Little Birds 4 Life?

"Chances are you’ve heard those captivating and peaceful lyrics at one time or another," Ashley Swip explains on the organization's website. "The lyrics come from the song, 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley. Those words express everything that my brother, Guy 'Tyler' Gifford, was all about.

"He always had a unique way of making each and every person around him smile, laugh and remember that 'every little thing gonna be all right' no matter the circumstance.

"So when Guy passed away November 2, 2010, my family put the words from '3 Little Birds' on his prayer card. It’s through Guy’s life, his caring nature, loving heart, and this song that 3 Little Birds 4 Life came to life."