Heart of Hertel businesses hold first 'Bra Crawl' in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- If you take a walk down Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, you might notice that more than 30 businesses have a specialized bra or two in their display windows. Local businesses are banding together, to show unity within the community and bring awareness to two local non-for-profit organizations that help support those who are undergoing the hardships of breast cancer.

"I thought it would be a great way to get all the businesses connected and showing their support for two organizations that I feel passionate about and are grateful to have them in the community," said Susan Morreale, with Her Story, who organized the 'Bra Crawl.' "As a breast cancer survivor, I think it's very important no only to bring awareness but let people know that they are not alone, and that there's organizations that are here local that can help and support."

The first ever 'Bra Crawl' is supporting Hope Chest, and Breast Cancer Network of Western New York. On Friday each Hertel Avenue business part of the Bra Crawl will be donating a portion of their earnings to the two not-for-profit organizations that help connect local woman with a variety of programs and classes.

"Primarily our focus is on quality of life and ensuring that everybody going through this diagnosis feels supported and that they're not alone in their journey," said Rachel Wallmeyer, the Program Director with Breast Cancer Network of WNY. "With no other organizations local to the area dedicated to support those with breast cancer, having our organizations available is that much more important because we all know breast cancer effects everyone in a multitude of ways and to have options for support is what's most important."

Breast Cancer Network of Western New York helps connect people with other people with the same diagnosis through restorative health classes, support groups, peer mentorship programs and more.

Hope Chest, the other local organization, was founded in 2000, and offers free excersize and nutrition classes year round for breast cancer survivors with Catalyst Fitness, and they have their Dragon Boat team.

"When you've gone through a diagnosis like breast cancer, I'm a 29 year surivor, after the diagnosis, it's like what's your choices? Do you want to go on living, and what are you doing to do with your life now, because you've been given sort of a lease on life, sort of a new lease on life," said Anne Kist, Director of Hope Chest.

Kist shared a message for those who are currently undergoing the hardships of Breast cancer,

"Go through whatever treatments you need to go through, and when you come out the other side, you're not only going to be a survivor, but you're going to be a thriver," said Kist.

Some of the businesses that are part of Bra Crawl have their own personal experiences with Breast Cancer.

"It just makes you feel like home, it's community and people need to stay together especially with all the things that are going on in the world," said Jaclyn Sullivan, owner of Boost Body & Nutrition, who lost her mother in law and cousin to breast cancer. "It's just nice to band together and support such a beautiful cause."

"I had my own scare in the spring," said Dr. Breean Wilson DPW, who owns Pure Podiatry of WNY. "Because I have a family history and because women of color have tendency to have more dense breast tissue, I had to do a mammogram, ultrasound and then I have to had to have my own biopsy, so I understand the important of being checked and making sure you get your mammograms done."

"I know it can be really scary, but know that you're not alone," Morreale said. "I think it just shows you what our community is about, and that's one thing I really love about Buffalo."

For more information on the Hertel Avenue Bra Crawl and Shoptober event, visit the Heart of Hertel website here.