Easterns Blog

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, the topic of breast cancer awareness has become much bigger than the one month it is celebrated. According to The Washington Post, 300,000 women each year are diagnosed with this disease while 40,000 are killed. The overall goal is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment.
Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group came together as a team to impact women affected directly by this horrible sickness. For their latest Pay It Forward campaign, Allison Seymour of Fox 5?s Good Day DC stopped by Cherry Blossom Intimates in Glenarden, Maryland. They are a breast health facility and intimates boutique that specializes in bra fittings and post-mastectomy fittings. Seymour was able to speak to a few women affected directly with breast cancer and listen to their stories. LaWanda Fountain and Ricki Fairley were both diagnosed the disease and had to undergo a double mastectomy. According to Dr. Regina Hampton, co-owner of Cherry Blossom Intimates, the reason they both chose to go that route is to ensure that the cancer doesn?t return. Both women were cancer free for several years but LaWanda?s cancer recently returned. What?s beautiful about these ladies is their strength and resilience. They did not allow let this disease take control of their life while fighting for great health. The visits they have to Cherry Blossom Intimates are therapeutic for them.
Jasmine Jones, co-owner of Cherry Blossom Intimates came up with the idea to open the store after watching her grandmother suffer from breast cancer. She set out to create a safe space and great environment where women battling cancer can enjoy their shopping experience. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group surprised the women by sharing his own personal story about breast cancer. His aunt just finished her last round of radiation and is in remission now so this subject hit very close to home. To support their shop, Bassam presented Jones with a blank check for $1,000 to cover additional costs of any future customer not covered by insurance. He also gifted LaWanda and Ricki each a $500 gift card to their local spa for a day of pampering. What a wonderful treat for the holiday season!

If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area that goes above and beyond the call and is worthy of being recognized, Click here to nominate them.

Watch the video to see the way everything unfolded.

Link to original article ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-cherry-blossom-intimates-helping-women-with-cancer