As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, I would like to tell you about a local organization that is helping to make women going through BC treatment and post-mastectomy patients more comfortable, all while raising money to support the children of those who have lost a parent to breast cancer.
According to girlzinthehoodie.com, “Mastectomy patients often suffer frequent hot/cold moments while feeling sore or having limited range of mobility for dressing and access to pleasing comfortable garments is not always easy to find within hospital boundaries. And there’s nothing packed in the go-bag because there’s so many worries on the mind already.”
We all know hospitals are cold and uncomfortable for people undergoing chemo and radiation treatments. A comfy hoodie that still allows access to ports and other medical equipment is a must.
Girlz in the Hoodie™ is on a mission to provide every woman suffering a mastectomy or going through treatment the comfort of a zip-up hoodie after their delicate surgery and while doing chemo/radiation.
They use consumer product sales to purchase and provide zip-up hoodies to mastectomy and cancer patients at select participating clinical and hospital sites free of charge from the doctor. With your help, they can reach each institution nationwide.
Chrissy Heinbach, founder of Girlz in the Hoodie, understands the necessity firsthand. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy in 2008. “My story is like millions of others who are fighting breast cancer. I’ve been through it all, and one day began to wonder, how could I help others fighting this disease? I recalled how the simplest gestures and comfort items helped me through this difficult stage of life.
“Following my surgery, I quickly realized that when your sensitive body is dressed in bandages and drain tubes, you’ll reach for something that is easy to put on. Except — I did not bring any clothing that I did not need to pull over my head! This is a very simple thing one would not think twice about until it happens. Unfortunately, I didn’t even have these items easily accessible at home. I had to ask my daughter, Catesha, to bring anything she owned with a zipper to make things easier for me. It’s very chilly in the treatment rooms, so the hoodie was perfect for me and made it easier for the nurses to access my port. In the end, I had three more constructive surgeries, and the zip-up hoodies were exactly what I needed!
“One evening, after sharing my story with my close friend Amber and her boyfriend, Anthony, we all wondered, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if we could give all the patients a hoodie?’ From there, our mission was born: To provide every woman enduring a mastectomy the comfort of a Zip Up Hoodie after their delicate surgery.”
Thus, Girlz in the Hoodie was born. And has been supporting people with breast cancer ever since.
In 2019, Girlz in the Hoodie recognized that breast cancer affects more than just the patient. Families are affected, too.
“Although the breast cancer battle is challenging for the individual, we know it affects the families just as much. It’s a battle for everyone in the home. The financial burden of medical bills often takes priority over savings like student college funds. There was a need for our scholarship that we wanted to fulfill. Our program is an additional way to support families affected by breast cancer.
“Every April, we reach out to participating schools in Lycoming County to award a $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors. Each student must be attending a certified 2 or 4-year college and have a parent or guardian who has lost their life to breast cancer, or who is currently in the fight, or is in remission. The application consists of telling a little backstory of their journey with breast cancer and how this scholarship will help in furthering their education.
“It is a truly bittersweet endeavor — on one hand, we wish graduates wouldn’t have to apply because breast cancer wouldn’t exist. At the same time, we’re more than happy to help families in a different way and enjoy reading the individual journeys with this disease.”
Their scholarship program is now in 150 schools in 14 states! Incredible!
In addition to donations and buying hoodies, there is another way to support this amazing organization.
On October 26th at New Trail Brewing, Girlz in the Hoodie will be hosting what might be the most amazing raffle I have ever heard of.
They will be raffling off CASH prizes. Tickets are $100 each, limited to 2,000 tickets. They will then raffle off the following:
–A 1975 VW Bus valued at $90,000 or $50,000 cash
– (2) $20,000 Cash Prizes
– (3) $10,000 Cash Prizes
– (10) $1,000 Cash Prizes
Again — just incredible!
If you want to learn more about Girlz in the Hoodie, you can find them online and all social media. You can also purchase your raffle ticket at girlzinthehoodie.com.
