Photo Credit: Athleta
With breast cancer ranking as the second most common among among American women (skin cancer is the first), we’re not blind to the fact that women around the world are fighting the disease every day. And while we, brands included, tend to show support for survivors and push awareness for breast cancer during it’s official month of October with everything from nail polishes to t-shirts, one company is doing something bigger.
Athleta, a brand that designs athletic clothing for active women and girls, has created a sports bra specifically for breast cancer survivors. With the goal of making women in recovery or remission way more comfortable, they’re introducing the Empower bra ($54 at Athleta.com).
Photo Credit: Athleta
“Women were telling us that they’d been using Athleta bras as a post-mastectomy sports bra, but they couldn’t find a truly perfect option in the marketplace. We started to realize this was an underserved need,” says Shelia Shekar, Athleta’s senior director of brand marketing.
Photo Credit: Athleta
The Empower bra features a super-soft fabric and a front zip that won’t hurt any scar tissue. There are also expanding pockets to safely and comforably secure post-mastectomy prosthetics of any size and adjustable straps to accommodate varying breast sizes after surgery.
“Breast cancer is important to so many women in our community, whether they’ve experienced it themselves or someone they know has had it,” Shekar continued. “Our mission as a brand is so inspire an active community of women and girls to reach their limitless potential through an active, healthy life.”
Photo Credit: Athleta
Photo Credit: Athlete
Athlete’s highly-anticipated bra will be officially released on Sept. 25, which is right on time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. For those who haven’t had a mastectomy but still support the cause, the brand’s Power of She bra ($54 at Athleta.com) will be available Aug. 28. Twelve percent of all the bras sold in October will be donated to Recovery On Water (ROW), a Chicago-based rowing club for breast cancer survivors.
