love, bonfire the label x breast cancer
Introducing the Love, Bonfire the Label x Breast Cancer "Sheroes" Collection for the second year running. This special collection pays homage to the strength and resilience of all women and their families who have been touched by Breast Cancer.
A Cause close to our heart
Our inspiration for this collection stems from a deeply personal experience; Stephanie's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2021 and is not only a survivor but also our "Sheroes" covergirl.
This year we took our campaign one step further and reached out to other women close to us who have been affected by breast cancer. Over the month of October, we will tell their stories, in an aim to imbue a sense of hope, strength, sisterhood and the victory of spirit over flesh.
THE SHEROES COLLECTION
The "Sheroes Collection" includes a luxurious shirt, a cotton tee, and soft cotton pajamas with matching fabric gift-bag. These pieces are not only beautiful but also designed for comfort, making them ideal to wear during treatment or recover. More importantly, they serve as a powerful symbol of solidarity with the incredible "Sheroes" who are bravely fighting this disease. Our wish is that when these garments are worn, they radiate light, strength, and determination to all those affected.
Lorilie's Breast Cancer Journey
In November 2021, after a particularly busy year full of fundraisers I had organised, I raced off to my screening appointment at the Wesley hospital. I had insisted on an annual screening instead of their 2 yearly recommended checkup and it was actually only 11 months since my last mammogram. I thought that would always protect me. Well it didn’t, and as I was happily thinking when they called me back in quickly after the screening that I could make my next meeting, I realised that the news was something quite different. There was a tumour in my left breast and after more tests and biopsies they found a second one. Two days later I met with my wonderful breast surgeon and after more tests, she recommended an immediate mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal triple negative breast cancer.
Marisa's Breast Cancer Journey
I wanted to lead as normal a life as possible, I kept working, but distraction through adversity obviously suits me. I found it very hard to use the term “journey” – I can think of far better journeys I want to be on than this one.
As a non-expert and an unwilling player, I have, for some reason, decided also that there must be some good in all this so I have crafted my “5 Best Things about Having Breast Cancer” and would love to share my learnings with you:
Jody's Breast Cancer Journey
It was February 2010 late in the evening, that I felt a lump above my left breast that seemed to appear out of the blue. The process from there was so fast; the following day there were a multitude of tests and a long wait over a weekend for the biopsy results. I had this time to contemplate how I would feel but nothing really prepared me for the news. I will never forget the look of heartbreak on my husband’s face, the rest is a bit of a blur. The consultation, surgery, treatment options and prognosis. I also knew that I had to be strong for my family. Unfortunately in 2003, my son was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 13 and he was amazing through his surgery and treatment over 2 years. If he could do it, I had to.
Colleen's Breast Cancer Journey
My daughter and sister both had breast cancer diagnoses, and so, in a way, I felt supported by their experiences and their triumphant attitudes towards the cancer. Being diagnosed at the age of 84, made me consider not having any treatment; however, with their encouragement, I decided I could do it. One of my daughters looked after me through my mastectomy and the other stayed with me at the Cancer Council lodge and took me to radiation treatment, everyday for four weeks.
During these times I didn't feel alone. The staff at the Caboolture Hospital and RBWH were consistently kind and diligent in their care for me as a person. Even the Cancer Council bus driver, who took us each day to radiation was incredibly friendly and made each day that little bit better. It is surprising how one can get used to such a big change in life and move on.
Franny's Breast Cancer Journey
The end of August 2022 delivered news I thought would never happen to me – at age 42 with two boys under 3, "you have Breast Cancer". I didn’t think there was much more awareness that needed to be raised about Breast Cancer but I was diagnosed with lobular Breast Cancer (invasive lobular carcinoma). It’s the 10 to 15 percent of Breast Cancers that are soft and typically don’t form a hard mass or lump, so it is often diagnosed late.
At the time of diagnosis, I was breastfeeding our almost one year old. The changes to my breasts that occurred from my cancer, I confused with changes from breastfeeding. I was lucky that what in hindsight was probably a pea sized blocked milk duct, prompted me to get a referral from my GP to an amazing radiologist.
