Welcome to Give-A-Care. Part education, part support, this important program and product line helps young women with breast cancer while educating their loved ones on what they’re going through.
I’m not sure what brought you here, but my guess is it’s one of three things:
- Your friend (or your cousin, colleague, or neighbour…) has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and you want to show you care. But you aren’t sure what to say, do, or give that’s actually helpful.
- You were recently diagnosed with breast cancer and received a Give-A-Care package from someone who cares. Everything has been super crappy and extremely stressful lately, but the gift brought a smile, and you loved the practical, quality products. You were intrigued and decided to check out the URL on the packaging.
- You were just going about your day when a cute, clever ad featuring our stylish products caught your eye. You might not have even noticed that cute tee, tote, or lip balm you were eyeing is one of those social enterprise-y ones where all proceeds from its purchase support a charity. You clicked and landed here.
Am I close with my guesses? If yes, I’m so happy you found us because we have something for everyone.
The “we” behind this website is Rethink Breast Cancer. We’re a small but mighty breast cancer organization that educates, empowers and advocates for the breast cancer community.
Know someone who’s been diagnosed?
Knowing the right thing to say or do when someone is diagnosed with breast cancer can be tricky—and even intimidating. Give-A-Care helps you show up in a meaningful way with practical gifts that help ease the side effects of treatment. As you poke around in the shop and read the names of the products, their blurbs, and the quotes from women who needed them, we just know you’re going to have some “ah ha” moments. (What, her mouth is going to taste like metal?) So, not only will your gift provide real, practical comfort, but you’re going to learn a ton just by shopping. And that’s going to make you a really understanding friend.
Some tips to help support them:
It can be helpful if you know a little about what their treatment will entail. Many breast cancer patients diagnosed at a younger age will have surgery, chemo, radiation, and follow-up hormone treatments—but not everyone. Some might have surgery and radiation, but not chemo. Others are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer—either as their initial diagnosis, or as a recurrence years later. This usually means they won’t have breast surgery and will be in ongoing treatment to control the cancer instead.
How can you tailor your gift to their treatment?
Are they having a mastectomy? Consider including our cozy hoodie, because it can be hard to lift your arms above your head for a while after surgery. (Plus, it provides easy port access.)
Chemotherapy? This usually means hair loss, so our cashmere hats are lovely. (And our lemon candies are crucial for that awful chemo taste.)
Radiation therapy? They’re going to need our salt soak and soft cloth set for that inevitable skin irritation—almost like a sunburn.
Hormone therapy? That usually means overnight menopause. Our cooling bamboo PJs are a lovely gift. Plus, our clean, treatment-safe lube to combat vaginal dryness.
Metastatic? Our cozy socks and luxe cashmere wrap are super comforting.
Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what their treatment will entail. For one thing, it’s not always appropriate to pepper them (or even those closest to them) with a bunch of questions. And besides, there are plenty of side effects that are common to all types of treatment. (Unfortunately.)
We’ve curated a few care packages you might want to look at. Or you can build your own bespoke care package by curating what you think suits them best.
As I said, the shopping experience—reading the blurbs and testimonials—will be a crash course in what treatment often entails. You might also want to check out the helpful blog posts we have on our site, which can guide you on what to say or do—and what not to (we even have a special coworker edition!).
And if you’re looking for more ways to show off your support, why not buy something for yourself? We’re a small (but mighty!) grassroots charity that really appreciates anyone spreading the word about our caring brand. Sporting a Give-A-Care tee (or hoodie, or tote!) is a great way to show your friend with breast cancer (and the world) that you care. Besides, all proceeds support the important work we do at Rethink Breast Cancer.
Newly diagnosed yourself?
If you’ve been recently diagnosed, you may be overwhelmed and not know what to expect during treatment or how to navigate it. That’s super common because it’s all new. You don’t know what you don’t know, right?
That’s what we’ve curated this collection of products, recommendations, and advice by the breast cancer community for the breast cancer community. To give you real, practical ways to ease side effects, while keeping it stylish, cheeky, and honest. Because you still have the same great taste you had before your diagnosis, right? And as we say, laughter is the best medicine (after treatment).
Give-A-Care is a special program created by our charity, Rethink Breast Cancer. We’ve been educating, supporting, and advocating for the breast cancer community for almost 25 years. We’re a charity that, oh so many years ago, recognized the intense isolation felt by those diagnosed under age 45. Fortunately, it’s rarer at a younger age—but that also means it’s harder to find info and support that fits your life stage. So, we built a community for young women with breast cancer, created resources and support programs tailored to them, and collaborated with our community to make changes in cancer care to address their most pressing needs.
This program helps get our Care Priorities for Young Women with Breast Cancer into the hands of those newly diagnosed. You can check out the Care Priorities here. (We also tuck a booklet into each Give-A-Care package that goes out.)
In addition to our products, Give-A-Care is chock full of guidance from those who’ve been through it. It’s a way to connect you to Rethink’s community of care, support, and resources. I recommend this piece written by our friend Aya as a helpful start.
Just want to support the cause? (Well, you’re awesome.)
Maybe you landed here, and you don’t have breast cancer, nor know someone who does. Welcome to retail therapy that does double duty. Where every single product you purchase for yourself goes right back to our charity, allowing us to support and advocate for the breast cancer community. While some of our products have names that are quite specific to the cancer experience, many are relevant to a plethora of situations. Did you see our “My-emotions-are-so-out-of-whack-that-even-my-skin-is-being-too-sensitive Hand Cream"? Buy one for yourself. Or for your sister who’s perimenopausal. Or a bestie who’s going through a rough patch. All proceeds help us foster safe spaces for community, provide trauma-informed support, and advocate for (and make!) real system changes. You can learn more about the work we do here.
Wherever you are on this rollercoaster ride, we’re glad you’ve found us. Welcome to our corner of the internet, where we say goodbye to all those unhelpful platitudes and clichés and help women with breast cancer get the care and support they truly need. If there’s anything else we can help with, drop us a line at hello@rethinkbreastcancer.com and follow along at @rethinkbreastcancer.
—MJ, Founder + Executive Director of Rethink Breast Cancer
