While cancer patients and their families are struggling with new realities, Renee Schick wants to provide a comforting environment to find everything they need.
Renee Schick posed for a photo in Renee’s Survivor Shop, which is located on the first floor of the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. A grand opening will be held Thursday, Jan. 15.
Schick, the shop’s manager and owner of the original Renee’s Survivor Shop, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 36. The troubles she experienced during surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, especially when it came to finding products to help comfort her, inspired her to open the shop.
“When I was diagnosed, I had drain tubes and I didn’t know where to put them,” Schick said. “But there are camisoles that have pockets that can hold the tubes for you. They even come with puffs to people who have had a mastectomy, and they are billable to insurance.”
The store carries items to ease treatment side effects, including post-surgical camisoles to accommodate post-surgery breast forms, non-metallic deodorant for sensitive skin after radiation, lymphedema sleeves, wigs, and a host of other comfort products and gifts.
Additionally, the shop will offer mastectomy fittings by appointment. Schick is a certified mastectomy fitter with the Board of Accreditation and has been fitting women for more than 10 years. The fittings and many of the other products can be billed to insurance.
Schick said her experience also helps her be empathetic toward her customers.
“When they come in and tell me they’ve just been diagnosed, I can relate to how they’re feeling,” Schick said, “especially the scary parts.”
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m. to welcome the shop at its new location.
“Now we’re in a place where when people need us, we’re down the hallway and around the corner,” Schick said. “We’re right where we’re needed.”
For more information or to schedule mastectomy and wig fittings, call the shop at 419.383.5243.
