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Despite being told she was too young to have cancer, in 2011 at the age of 23, filmmaker Melissa Boratyn was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. The cancer would eventually return and metastasize not once but twice. The trials and tribulations she faced dealing with the pesky disease inspired Melissa and co-director, her husband Jimmy to flip the script and put young breast cancer support and advocacy on the big screen with the movie Ginger. The award winning feature film has been screened all over the world. Ginger can now be viewed through Amazon or Tubi.

In 2009 Lisa Crites, a broadcast journalist, media strategist and healthcare consultant was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy followed by over six surgeries as a result of an infection. Lisa searched for a water-resistant garment to shield her surgical drains from bacteria-laden tap water but nothing existed on the market. After having to shower in plastic trash bags, Lisa’s entrepreneurism and investigative skill kicked in and inspired her invention– the award winning post-surgical, patented Shower Shirt. The Shower Shirt was introduced to the U.S. Market in 2011 and is currently sold in boutiques, Walmart.com, Amazon.com and all over the world to post-mastectomy and chest surgery patients who have drains, ports and catheters.

Tamara Rodriguez, an entrepreneur and financial executive, counts her 2014 breast cancer diagnosis as the impetus for writing a book to teach her young daughters about the frightening disease. Hair to the Queen is a beautifully illustrated narrative that empowers survivor Queens and Kings all over the world to have compassionate little Breast Talk Evers in English, Creole or Spanish with their young Heirs. Hair to the Queen!..and Kings!

This month marks LaTonya’s 4 year Cancerversary of her breast cancer diagnosis. In this short episode in advance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, LaTonya expresses her genuine gratitude.

Like her mother Eileen, who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Eva was a BRCA2 mutation carrier. In 2016 Eva decided to have a preventative double mastectomy and hysterectomy with oophorectomy. She had witnessed her mother’s frustrated attempts to find functional but stylish recovery clothing that could accommodate PICC lines, drains and ports. Eva had 6 surgeries over 18 months and faced the same wardrobe challenges. Those experiences and Eva’s luxury branding expertise inspired The Eileen & Eva Heal With Style Collection. The beautiful garments are designed in California and can be purchased in The Eileen & Eva online boutique.

In 2003 Karen Lindsey, a longtime professional development educator in The Department of The Treasury, received a stage 3 HER2 positive breast cancer diagnosis. Karen’s treatment plan included four surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The radiation severely inflamed her skin causing pain and discomfort. When none of the topical creams recommended by Karen’s doctor worked, her extremely burned skin sparked the idea to get in the kitchen and experiment with natural ingredients. After lots of testing, in 2004 Karen whipped up the winning formula for a cream that soothed and healed her skin. Today Nerak Natural Essence provides extraordinary results to satisfied radiation patients across the U.S.

In 2009 Dana Donofree was a 27 year old living a rock star life with a fashion design career that had her flying all over the world. She was killing it in the fashion industry. A breast cancer diagnosis created a snag in Dana’s life, but she didn’t’ allow it to unravel her career. She was inspired by it. Dana couldn’t find a bra that comfortably fit after her Bilateral mastectomy, so she designed one. When Dana realized she wasn’t alone and there was a gaping hole in the market, she decided to create intimates and a supportive community designed by and for breast cancer survivors, metavivors and previvors. A decade after selling the first bra, Ana Ona and Dana Donofree are thriving, continue to double business year over year, sell out collections and premier annually at NY Fashion week in partnership with Metavivor.