Would you be prepared to make a donation to help us start a business to help ladies undergoing breast cancer treatment ? Let us explain........

Currently 660 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year (Source: Exeter Breast Care Service). Of these between 40 and 50% will need a mastectomy. Sadly we all probably know someone who is or has been in this situation. We were inspired to start a business, more on this shortly, by stories from women who trekked around shops undressing and dressing for measuring and fitting of bras, at the best of times for most of us a chore , but for those undergoing the various forms of treatment it is tiring and draining both physically and emotionally. The choice of bras can be limiting and sadly, in some cases, soul destroying. We have heard from someone who having exhausted herself and the shop options bought a bra that cost her £70 which she hated. The store had only one in her size so when her wound leaked and she had to hand wash her only bra she missed her brothers silver wedding anniversary party. In tears she told us that it may have been her last family occassion and the chance for happy memories was lost. Another lady told us of her 32 year old who had a mastectomy and went to a store for a bra fitting. The assistant visibly winced when she saw the scar and the lady left the shop in tears. She cried all the way home and then told her mother she looked and felt like an alien! Other ladies have said they feel ugly and old, not due to surgery but because of the choice of bras available.

Our plan is to start a business offering a bra measuring,fitting and supply service in the privacy of their own home and to offer a range of bras that are feminine and attractive, which in some styles will come with matching knickers!, for women at various stages of treatment as their needs change. The team at the Exeter Breast Care Centre have welcomed this idea and will promote us as they see it as a huge gap in provision.

We have found a supplier who offers a lovely range of quality underwear at a good range of prices. They will give us training and support. They have also just started a service where we would be able to order directly from their warehouse any bra we did not have in stock. So no more only onebof the right size and missing out on chances to make memories!

In return for your help with the start up costs for our business we are going to donate 100% of each bra fitting fee to Breast Cancer Care UK for our first year of trading and thereafter we will give a percentage of our annual profits.

We have called our business "Because".......because all these brave, beautiful, strong women deserve better.

Please help us make this happen,

Thank you Lizz and Lin

becausebras@gmail.com