TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Anita, the 132-year-old German-based lingerie and swimwear company, is committed to a 5-year partnership with Look Good Feel Better (LGFB), the national charity dedicated to helping women manage the appearance-related effects of cancer treatment. Look Good Feel Better offers an intimate two-hour support workshop in cancer centres across the country. As the first new addition in over 20 years to the workshops, the breast care component offers breast health education and mastectomy bra expertise to workshop attendees. The Anita partnership aims to support Look Good Feel Better's purpose of providing women with tools to restore a sense of self.
Statistics show that one in nine women are expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime and only 10% of those women will undergo breast reconstruction. A Look Good Feel Better survey found that more than 60% of women with cancer weren't recommended bras for post-surgery and recovery by their health care providers and that these women were eager to learn more about breast care post cancer treatment. Feedback gathered following the pilot workshops from those who attended, revealed that women spent hundreds of dollars on ill-fitting bras and prosthesis that were not optimal products. Women felt that they had to do most of the research themselves or find out from other patients.
"Look Good Feel Better has been helping Canadian women with cancer feel more like themselves again for more than 25 years," said charity CEO & President Dee Diaz. "We do this by arming women with the tools and knowledge to navigate the impact of cancer treatment. Our partnership with Anita provides a natural extension to our workshop program and meets the needs of what women are asking for. Not only does it provide women with sought-after information related to breast care, but also provides them with a sense of control in making informed decisions, and, most importantly, a sense of self."
The Breast Care and Cancer Treatment component provides a 360° presentation touching upon:
- Mastectomy bras
- Breast form options
- Which bras to wear during cancer treatment (compression, post surgical/radiation)
- Bra types and fitting tips for overall breast health
- How to prepare for a fitting and what to look for in a retailer
"Anita's partnership with Look Good Feel Better aims to support women affected by cancer with knowledge and products to help restore confidence and well-being," says Mark Caskenette, Managing Director of Anita. "We've met with women in our trials and test sessions that when fitted with the proper prosthetic and bra were brought to tears as they felt more like themselves."
Continuing the partnership beyond the workshops, Anita and Look Good Feel Better will be working with independent specialty stores to establish Look Good Feel Better and Anita Certified Retailers. Certification involves product knowledge and selection, fit training and compassionate care training to provide each client with suitable options and a positive experience.
To learn more about the Breast Care and Cancer Treatment sessions please visit lgfb.ca/breastcare and to find a certified retailer please visit www.anita.com/en_ca/look-good-feel-better.
ABOUT Anita
Established in 1886, Anita creates high-quality lingerie and swimwear in five collections, including: Anita Active, Anita Care, Anita, Anita Maternity, and Rosa Faia. As a fit specialist, Anita produces pieces available in sizes AA through J. With over 132 years of experience, Anita's mission of continuous improvement and perfection is at the core of the business.
ABOUT Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better has been helping women and teens with cancer feel like themselves again since 1992. When a woman is diagnosed with cancer, she's no longer the mother, sister, friend, or colleague, she's "the cancer patient." The disease robs her of a sense of self. Look Good Feel Better offers a workshop in cancer centres across the country that supports 10,000 women and teens each year, giving them the tools and techniques to feel beautiful and vital. In so doing, it helps restore their sense of self and renew a feeling of womanhood, however they choose to define it.
SOURCE Anita
Media Contact: OverCat, 416.996.9970; Audrey Hyams Romoff x222, [email protected]; Valerie Ackerman x229, [email protected]; Simona Newton x225, [email protected]
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