After being diagnosed with breast cancer, these women chose to launch businesses that would raise awareness, and raise money for the cause. You can feel good about buying their products year-round, but particularly during breast cancer month.
Sleepwear For Hot Flashes
Haralee Weintraub's treatment for breast cancer – a lumpectomy plus chemotherapy and radiation – banished her disease, but presented her with another problem to deal with: chemically induced menopause. "The night sweats were horrible. I'd wake up drenched and my life was deteriorating because I couldn't get a good night's sleep."
She figured that if moisture-wicking worked for athletic wear, it could work for PJs too. So she ripped apart bike shorts to create her prototype: a nightgown that let her sleep well again.
A portion of the profits from every moisture-wicking nightgown she sells goes to cancer research.
Cozy Gowns for Chemo and Radiation
Brenda Jones calls her cozy creations Hug Wraps. She created the first one for herself when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 49 and was horrified by the prospect of donning a hospital gown for radiation treatments. "When I saw that sad stack of hospital gowns, it was the last straw," Jones says.
She personally sews every Hug Wrap she sells. She prices them at $50, but accepts whatever a patient can pay. "It's something handmade from one cancer patient to another."
Teaching Kids About Cancer
When Sue Glader learned she had breast cancer, she was still nursing her year-old son. That was more than a decade ago, and she's been healthy since then.
A advertising copywriter, Glader decided to write a book that would explain cancer to kids without scaring them. Nowhere Hair manages to be both smart and whimsical. She sells her picture book at major cancer centers and through her website, donating a portion of profits to breast cancer research.
Celebrating In Style
Kathy McEvoy was 48 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After treatment, she put together a team for a breast-cancer walk. When she couldn't find themed napkins and paper plates, she decided to form a company to sell them herself.
Her Celebrate In Pink plates are used for bridal and baby showers as well as breast-cancer fundraisers – anywhere women gather together. A portion of the profits helps women who don't have insurance and cannot afford treatment. "I thank God for my wake-up call," McEvoy says. "Otherwise I'd still be working in corporate America."
