The Dear Boobs Project
When we first heard about this project we knew that the good that it would do and the help that it would provide to others will be immeasurable. So we have invited the creator and director of The Dear Boobs Project, Emily Searle, to be our guest blogger. Letting her introduce everyone to her amazing campaign.
50 “Dear Boobs” letters...
My inbox is full of stories from women affected by breast cancer, from all over the world. This is really going to be something!
Hi, I am Emily. Last year, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Nope, there was no family history. I’ve never been admitted to hospital before. I am a healthcare professional. A runner. A vegetarian, and a wife and mummy of 2 breastfed little ones. I’ve done everything right haven’t I? A classic case of “why me?” It’s important to know, to really know, cancer doesn’t discriminate….and anyway, I know exactly why it chose me.
The 11 months I spent in intense treatment has taught me a lot (unavoidable cliché sorry), not in the least, it has inspired an exciting project, The Dear Boobs Project. Launched on the last day of my official treatment, “Dear Boobs” is a vision to publish a collection of inspiring, intimate, courageous and sometimes hilarious letters from women, from all walks of life, who have had breast altering surgery due to breast cancer or a BRCA mutation.
Be it one boob, two boobs or part of one, my dream is that all women will read the book of Dear Boobs letters and feel supported to know their unique relationship with their wobbly womanly body parts really does matter. I hope to create, and then fund (…hmmm still working on that one) at least 1000 bold and beautiful Dear Boobs books to be shared around clinics and waiting rooms where women, can pick up and feel inspired by the incredible boob wisdom.
So, 56 days in...
I’m already into the real nitty gritty and things are moving fast. Design concepts, editing, media releases….it’s full time work this ‘recuperation after cancer’ thing, and a little out of my comfort zone, but I love it. No one changed the world in their comfort zone. It’s a win, win you see. The Dear Boobs letter writers heal a little (the feedback I have had about this from contributors has been out of this world!), the readers also heal a little, and anyone who stumbles across the book, not personally affected by breast cancer can “get it” just a little more. Unfortunately, the reality is that they will soon know someone affected by breast cancer if they don’t already.
The whirlwind of connections and support from all over the world has meant my inbox has been running pretty hot, but it still has plenty of space for more Dear Boobs, boobies, breasts, knockers, lefty, righty, bosoms, mammary glands, hooters, jugs letters. I’d love to reach those who have left cancer behind them many years ago, those who aren’t sure if they really have anything to write, and those who are desperate to share their boob wisdom with the world. No writing experience necessary, once the pen hits the paper, and writes, “Dear Boobs…” the rests comes tumbling out perfectly. So, if you are already writing a letter in your head or know someone who might have one residing in them, please share The Dear Boobs Project and its vision, and brace yourselves for the finished book to appear in clinics and waiting rooms and on bookshelves very soon!
We are 100% behind the project
As you can see, the work Emily is doing is fantastic. What she wants to achieve will help so many people with what is the hardest thing to deal with. If you would like to find out more information, you can contact Emily at dearboobs@outlook.com. You can also follow the projects progress on Facebook and Instagram. Please share this blog with friends and family and help push the Dear Boobs Project forward.