Episode #71: What It's Really Like to Live With Breast Cancer and Be A Badass B*tch with Anaono Founder Dana Donofree
Diagnosed with breast cancer at 27, Dana Donofree founded AnaOno out of her own necessity and desire for pretty, sexy, beautiful lingerie. After a bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction her own bras no longer fit and she was certain there must be more than just sports bras and camisoles (as nothing in the traditional lingerie market fit her surgically-altered body any more). With a degree in fashion design from Savannah College of Art and Design, and a quite successful fashion industry career, she took her 10+ years experience and put it toward designing, launching and growing AnaOno. Dana is very active in the breast cancer community and is involved with several non-profits, including Living Beyond Breast Cancer board and she is a Metavivor advocate. Her story has been featured on USA Today, The Today Show, HuffPost, New York Times, INStyle, and many others. However, she is most proud of being able to make a difference in the lives of women worldwide and is honored to continue to spread her mission of beauty, confidence and empowerment. Things we talk about on today’s episode: The things we are never told about breast cancer Dealing with an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 27 The true stats of breast cancer and the importance of being an advocate for yourself What it’s like to live like you’re dying Navigating being 10 years out of her cancer diagnosis Finding light and creating an impact on the other side of trauma How she melded her love of fashion and design and her diagnosis into a mission that changes so many peoples lives The brilliance of her company AnaOno