As far as Donofrie knew, only one of her aunts had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which was not enough to raise red flags or move her to get screened early. She found the lump in her breast and called her doctor immediately and eventually a mammogram led to her diagnosis.
Donofree opted for a bilateral mastectomy almost immediately after diagnosis due to additional test results that determined she would always be at higher risk for cancer to return.
“I chose to remove both breasts in the hopes that it would increase my survival rate,” Donofree said.
After diagnosis and the subsequent surgery, Donofree said she realized her body had changed forever. But she found few options in lingerie designed specifically for women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Trained in fashion design and a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), she knew she could make a difference.
“Who else could be a trained fashion designer, have experience in the industry and be young and energetic, but living with a new and altered body?” Donofree said. “I felt like we needed options no matter what.”
Donofree began thinking about some designs and at the time wasn’t entirely sure if this would be just a hobby or if it would become something more.
“I started first with my own needs and body,” Donofree said. “Other needs showed themselves immediately following my surgery, and I had issues with range of motion, sensitive incisions and pain points.”
Driven by a desire to feel comfortable and sexy, Donofree designed her first prototype at the beginning of 2011. And in May 2014, she launched AnaOno, a lingerie and loungewear company exclusively for those who’ve had breast reconstruction, breast surgery, a mastectomy or are living with other conditions that cause pain or discomfort. Donofree said the company differentiates itself from others because it targets what is needed to feel comfortable, confident and beautiful. This includes wire-free designs, four-way stretch, hidden seams, gentle materials, pocketed and non-pocketed bras with cut and construction to avoid pain points.
“Feeling good about yourself starts on the inside,” Donofree said. “After cancer, you can feel your worst and many times, in addition to losing your breasts, you have lost not only your hair, but your eyebrows. Feeling sexy and strong should not be something we are ashamed of feeling.”
Many of her customers have shared their intimate experiences and stories with Donofree and she has been delighted to hear that her designs are making a difference for so many women who thought they would never feel good about their bodies again.
In February, AnaOno and Project Cancerland will be bringing patients and survivors to the fashion runways of New York City for a groundbreaking event held during Fashion Week. Breast cancer survivors will model fashionable intimates as well as share their stories of hope, strength and power. The show raised more than $30,000 last year in support of cancer survivors.
Donofree herself remains cancer free today and because she knows not every cancer survivor can say this, she continues to raise awareness of the disease, the survivors and their needs.
“When I walk down the street and see a woman in a scarf, I will always tell her how beautiful she is,” Donofree said. “When you talk and realize you both have had breast cancer, you are sisters from there on out.”
For more information, log on to www.anaono.com
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