Editor’s Note: October is breast cancer awareness month. The Augusta Press is publishing a series of breast cancer stories on Wednesdays and Sundays during the month.
When women undergoing treatment for breast cancer come to Magnolia’s Breast Health Boutique, Cindy Rigdon can provide more than a wig or prosthetic fitting. She can provide an understanding shoulder to lean on.
“Twenty-one years ago, I was first diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Rigdon, the boutique coordinator and certified mastectomy fitter.
Located in the hospital’s breast health center, the boutique is owned and operated by University Hospital’s volunteer board. Kim Barfield also works in the shop and is training for her certification as a mastectomy fitter.
It was an aggressive form of cancer, but a lumpectomy and treatment stayed the disease for 18 years. She found another tumor in the same breast in early 2018 and had a double mastectomy.
She’s often able to share her journey with others as they come to her.
“It gives them hope,” she said.
The boutique stocks pre- and post-mastectomy items including breast forms, bras, intimate apparel and accessories as well as a full supply of wigs.
For those who are unable to afford the prosthetics or bras, the boutique has some items which are gently used and new in some cases and have been donated back to the shop.
The boutique has several rooms with increased privacy as someone goes further into the shop.
The first room people enter is a retail space with items such as jewelry, purses and scarves.
The volunteer-driven operation raises money for the University Health Care Foundation’s Miracle Mile Walk, which provides funding for the Women’s Wellness on Wheels’ mobile mammography unit.
In June, representatives from Magnolia’s presented the health care foundation a $50,000 check for the Miracle Mile Walk.
Caroline Thomas, director of volunteer services at University Health, said the sum was larger than in other years. The shop has donated $25,000 in previous years.
The boutique opened as a business in 2015 and celebrated its fifth anniversary during the pandemic.
Thomas said they were unable to celebrate the milestone as they would’ve liked so they made the substantial donation to mark it.
Magnolia’s Breast Health Boutique is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the features editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
