Breast Friends launches H.A.T.S. Project
When Becky Olson, president and Co-founder of Breast Friends, lost her hair to chemotherapy during breast cancer treatment, she thought her world had come to an end. She remembers feeling angry and depressed over something she had no control over. Then one day, her friends Patty and Dennis delivered a crazy hat to her that changed her world once again, for the better.
Becky tells the story of her hat in her book, "The Hat That Saved My Life," a story about surviving breast cancer. "For years, I've dreamed of being able to help women going through hair loss from chemo by helping them laugh through the experience," says Olson. Breast Friends has launched a program to do just that. It is called the "H.A.T.S. Project." H.A.T.S. stands for, “Healthy Attitude to Survive."
Olson knows the importance of humor in healing and keeping a healthy attitude. "Once I received my crazy little hat, I was able to smile back at my reflection in the mirror. I knew I could do this," said Olson. Breast Friends began raising money to put toward the program. "It started with seed money from the very same two beautiful people who changed my life with their gift," Olson said, and she has been adding to it by giving a portion of her speaking fees and book sales to the project. Also, a generous donation from Brighton Collectibles allowed the hats to be embroidered instead of printed. Stu Rude Promotions helped offset some of the costs of the project to make it more affordable in order to help women in need.
"This money has allowed us to create funny little hats that will be given, free of charge, to women going through hair loss from chemo," said Sharon Henifin, executive director of Breast Friends. Longview artist, Jo Jefre, created the image and donated it for the project.
The hats are free of charge for those in need. However, in order to keep the program available in the future, Breast Friends suggests a $20.00 donation per hat to those who can help. The hats are available in pink or white. Each hat has an image of a bald headed woman, with a rabbit sticking out from behind her head and the phrase, "Has anyone seen my hare," adorning the front.
"It took us five years to raise enough money earmarked for 500 hats. We expect them to go quickly," said Olson. "We would love to find oncology offices that would like to sponsor hats for their patients," Olson added.
If you or a loved one is going through chemotherapy and is experiencing hair loss, and you are in need or a hat, or would like to sponsor hats for someone else, please contact Breast Friends at 503-598-8048. You may visit their web-site at www.breastfriends.com for more information about the organization.