A woman who has survived breast cancer twice has launched a campaign to raise £5000 to create lingerie for women after breast cancer treatment.
Susan Pringle, 53, from Mapperly Park, quit her job as a part time university lecturer to create her own lingerie for women to wear after going through breast cancer treatment, to support their body change.
The mum of two who was successfully treated for breast cancer at the Nottingham Breast Institute, has started a campaign after experiencing the effects of bad fitting lingerie for women after breast cancer treatment.
Susan has spent years struggling to find comfortable specialist bras on the high street after having a lumpectomy, which is a surgical treatment that re-contours the shape of the breast.
All women deserve the freedom to get dressed in the morning and look at themselves in the mirror and think, I look like me, especially after breast cancer.
Susan Pringle, Millie Lingerie Founder.
Susan recorded her campaign video from home with the help of her two daughter’s Eleanor and Rebecca to create Millie Lingerie.
Picture: Susan’s daughters running the Race for Life.
With breast cancer being the most common cancer in the UK, health care professionals at the Nottingham Breast Institute and lingerie industry experts have agreed that there is not enough choice of well-designed appealing products currently on the market.
A Senior Nurse Practitioner from the Psycho-Oncology Support Service said: “So many of my breast cancer ladies complain of not being able to access pretty lingerie, which is so important especially when their whole body image is suffering.”
The campaign which has four designs, currently has 44 supporters who have raised £3,793 so far.
Sue said: “There are some specialist products available, but there’s a big trade off between the specialist support and comfort that’s needed, and style.”
The campaign aims to raise £5000 in order to create its first prototype bra for women to wear after cancer treatment.
Picture: Millie Lingerie prototype bra
Susan Pringle said: “I plan to be the first fit model, which is exciting and a little bit scary!”
Backers can support the Kickstarter campaign by buying rewards created by Millie, which include printed tee shirts, bags, greetings cards and opportunities to feature on the Millie Lingerie website.
She said: “If you’ve ever been the shoulder to cry on for a friend or partner going through breast cancer, this is a very practical way of showing your support for, and empathy with them.”
For more information on how to support the Millie Lingerie campaign visit the website: www.millielingerie.com