Exciting News!
When I was diagnosed, a friend referred me to the Breast Cancer Resource Center. BCRC is a non-profit that provides free services to those affected by breast cancer. They started as a volunteer helpline. When you first call, they assign you a patient navigator who has been trained to answer medical questions and help you understand your diagnosis. They will even go to doctor appointments with you if you don't have family support. I had a few lengthy phone calls with my patient navigator in the beginning. She had also been through breast cancer as a mom of young children, so she was a great person to talk to.
BCRC can also provide financial support, recovery items like post-surgical bras and pillows, and services such as house cleaning. They organize support luncheons to connect survivors and run a private Facebook group called the Pink Ribbon Cowgirls specifically for women diagnosed before age 45. Julia designed this logo for them, and yes, those are tiny cowgirl boots.
BCRC's big annual fundraiser is Art Bra Austin, a professionally produced runway show featuring bras designed by local artists and modeled by breast cancer survivors. The bras are auctioned off during the show. On a whim, I applied to be a model. My oncologist is hosting the event this year, and she had one of the bras on display in her waiting room. The show is on June 8th, right after I finish chemo and before I have my mastectomy. What better way to say good-bye to my left breast than parading it around in wearable art for half of Austin?
Last month, I was thrilled to find out that I'll be one of 46 models in this year's show. A few weeks ago, I went to a model fitting and got to choose different bras to try on; I was photographed in my top four picks. Last week I had my costume fitting, where I found out my bra assignment and got a peek at what the rest of my costume will look like. It's all top secret so I can't reveal any details, but I assure you it's fabulous. Next up is "model school." I knew all those seasons of America's Next Top Model were preparing me for something! Now if I can just figure out how to look normal while walking in heels.
Part of my job as a model is to fundraise for BCRC, so please check out my fundraising page!
BCRC can also provide financial support, recovery items like post-surgical bras and pillows, and services such as house cleaning. They organize support luncheons to connect survivors and run a private Facebook group called the Pink Ribbon Cowgirls specifically for women diagnosed before age 45. Julia designed this logo for them, and yes, those are tiny cowgirl boots.
BCRC's big annual fundraiser is Art Bra Austin, a professionally produced runway show featuring bras designed by local artists and modeled by breast cancer survivors. The bras are auctioned off during the show. On a whim, I applied to be a model. My oncologist is hosting the event this year, and she had one of the bras on display in her waiting room. The show is on June 8th, right after I finish chemo and before I have my mastectomy. What better way to say good-bye to my left breast than parading it around in wearable art for half of Austin?
Last month, I was thrilled to find out that I'll be one of 46 models in this year's show. A few weeks ago, I went to a model fitting and got to choose different bras to try on; I was photographed in my top four picks. Last week I had my costume fitting, where I found out my bra assignment and got a peek at what the rest of my costume will look like. It's all top secret so I can't reveal any details, but I assure you it's fabulous. Next up is "model school." I knew all those seasons of America's Next Top Model were preparing me for something! Now if I can just figure out how to look normal while walking in heels.
Part of my job as a model is to fundraise for BCRC, so please check out my fundraising page!
Yay!!! I can’t wait to see fabulous you strutting your stuff!
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