Having Fun and Making a Difference:
Louise Fellmann and Amy Reid share their Bras for the Cause experience

“I believe that everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way.  It seems that everyone has known or loved someone who had it,” says Louise Fellmann, Women's Health Program Coordinator at Provena Covenant Medical Center, when explaining why she participated in Bras for the Cause. “Awareness is so important for early detection, which in turn means a greater survival rate.” She says that people are living longer because they’re learning what to look for, having risk assessments, and getting the support they need to find the cancer in its first stages.
 
And decorating a bra is not something you get to do every day. “I had a friend come over and we made a party out of it.  Great excuse for getting together!! I have to say that my friend is way more creative than I am, but once she got us started it was easy, and gratifying to know that while we were having fun we were also making a difference.”

Louise and her friend are already brainstorming for next year. “I think I’ll gather more friends and have a huge bra-decorating party with refreshments.  Everyone can bring a bra and some crafty items and we’ll work together and really get crazy!”

Amy Reid, a local graphic designer, also shared the experience with other women: her mom, her mother-in-law, and her grandmother-in-law. When asked how she got the idea for her Superwoman bra, she said she just had to look around her house. “My husband is obsessed with superheroes. I’m bombarded by them! So I decided that a girly, sparkly superhero theme would be perfect for a bra.”

Amy is a visual artist, and enjoys being crafty and decorating things. This was the first time she’d ever decorated a bra, though. “I really wanted to help out with this cause. This was such a fun way to do it!”

9 Ways to Tell If You’re Wearing the Correct Bra Size

Our bra sizes can change radically over the course of our lifetimes, due to diet, stress, menstrual rhythms, pregnancy, medication, and aging. And you may not be the same size in every type and brand of bra! To see if you are wearing the correct size, ask yourselves these questions:

1. Is the bra comfortable? The bra shouldn’t make your back ache, poke you, or irritate your skin. This seems like a no-brainer, but many women have gotten used to wearing uncomfortable clothing, and often don’t realize that they can have a bra that is pretty and comfortable, too -- it just needs to fit correctly!

2. Is the back strap pulling up? If so, the shoulder straps are taking too much of the weight of the breasts, and the band isn’t doing its job. Slip your straps down and see how much the bra sags. It shouldn’t sag more than a little.

3. Does any part of your breast fall outside the cup? The cup is too small.

4. Is there a gap inside the cup? The cup is too big.

5. Does the section between the cups sit flat against the body? It should.

6. Does the bra leave marks on your shoulders at the end of the day? If so, the bra isn’t supporting you properly.

7. Are the straps falling down or do you keep having to tighten them? Chances are, the elastic is worn out.

8. If the bra is an underwire, does it sit directly under your bust and not ride too low? The wires should follow your natural shape, and not poke in any way.

9. Does the bra look droopy or out-of-shape? If it’s the proper size, it should fit snugly and look smooth.

 

If you have any of these problems with your bras, come on in and let our certified fitters guide you toward a more comfortable, supportive bra. You’ll feel better immediately!
 

Confidentially Yours works year-round to help our customers feel good about themselves. October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, offers some extra-special opportunities to educate and empower women. This October and November weʼre partnering with Provena Convenant for some fun events and weʼd love to have you join us!

Bras for the Cause
Here at Confidentially Yours, we know that bras arenʼt just supportive -- they can be works of art! Bras for the Cause gives you a creative way to help local women by creating unique pieces of artwork from new bras. These will be displayed and auctioned off to support Provenaʼs Itʼs All in the Jeans Day, which provides financial assistance, patient resources, and breast cancer awareness programs to women in our community.

You can enter online, in the store, or by contacting us at (217) 366-0244. You can also register through Provena, by calling (866) PROVENA.

For more information, check out our Bras for the Cause page. The deadline to turn in your bra is 5:00 p.m., November 12, so start brainstorming now! What will your bra look like?

Donʼt miss out on being a part of this important event! Your involvement helps spread awareness and hope to friends, family, and neighbors in the east-Central Illinois area.

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