Talk and Shop: Breast health is focus of event

Breast health, bra fittings and open conversation will come together in Munising next week as A Bit of Everything partners with Munising Memorial Hospital and The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation for an afternoon focused on women’s health.

The Talk and Shop event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. at A Bit of Everything, 223 E. Superior St. Store owner Cindy Tonak and Dorothy Mellon, lead mammographer at Munising Memorial Hospital, will be available throughout the afternoon to answer questions ranging from finding a properly fitting bra to mammograms, self-exams and breast health.

Sue Passinault, vice president of The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, will join the event from 1 to 2 p.m. to discuss cancer support, local resources and grant assistance available through the foundation.

The foundation provides assistance to women undergoing breast cancer treatment who may need help paying for bras, breast prostheses and related items. Danielle Beverly of the foundation said women who cannot afford those items can receive support through the organization.

“We want to get more women in a comfortable setting to talk to Dorothy, get a mammogram, find out what’s a good breast, what’s not a good breast, how to self-exam, and also from my perspective as a cancer survivor, the importance of continuing that breast health, the importance of having a good bra fitting and having a good bra that fits you during the day, who should wear underwire bras, who should not and all that kind of information,” Tonak said.

Mellon, Tonak and The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation have worked together for years to support women’s health initiatives in Alger County. Mellon said Tonak has been one of the hospital’s biggest advocates for its Women’s Health Fair, with the three organizations bringing together breast health education, bra fitting expertise and resources for those affected by cancer.

“What Cindy and Dorothy do for women in our community is so important,” Danielle Beverly said. “They create a comfortable place for women to ask questions, learn about their breast health and find the products and resources they need. For us at The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, being able to work alongside them and make sure women know there is support available is exactly what we want to be doing.”

“The Talk and Shop event is more for any women coming in that are needing help finding bras that fit,” Mellon said. “Women’s bodies can go through so many changes, after having kids, breastfeeding, weight loss, weight gain, implants or even cancer.”

While Tonak will help with bra fittings, Mellon will be available to discuss breast health, mammograms, early detection and changes women may be experiencing. Educational information from Munising Memorial Hospital will also be available during the event.

“Most women know what to expect with a mammogram, but there’s many horror stories out there, so if they have any questions about the process, what they’ll go through or even how to get an order for one, I can help with that,” Mellon said.

Tonak’s commitment to encouraging women to receive regular mammograms also comes from personal experience. As a cancer survivor herself, she knows firsthand what early detection can mean.

“You need to go for your mammogram, girls,” Tonak said. “I mean, it saved my life … .”

The afternoon is intended to ease conversations that can sometimes feel uncomfortable to have. Women can stop in without an appointment, browse the store and ask questions in an informal setting. Free bra fittings, special bra deals and door prizes will also be offered.

“I think events like this are important. It kind of takes something that is taboo to talk about and makes it a welcoming environment to ask questions,” Mellon said. “Cindy is probably one of the most open and accepting people that I know, and I could not think of anybody better to help women who are struggling with their body image.”

For Tonak, even if someone comes through the door simply to learn, the event is an opportunity to get information into the hands of women in the community.

Mellon said she has seen the impact of Tonak’s work firsthand.

“I have patients that have gone into Cindy’s shop and have raved about finding a bra that fits and what that means to them,” Mellon said. “What she is offering in our small town makes a very big difference, and it’s not talked about enough.”