A Collective Effort to Save Lives
October is a time for reflection, action, and community support as Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes centre stage. This year, OMGTea is proud to join forces with other incredible female-founded brands from the Buy Women Built network to raise awareness and funds for cancer charities. Together, we are amplifying the critical message that early detection saves lives through our #befearless campaign.
Breast cancer affects an astonishing number of women worldwide. In the UK alone, over 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and tragically, over 11,000 lives are lost. That’s nearly 1,000 women each month—one every 45 minutes. The statistics are sobering, but they underscore the importance of initiatives like this one, which focus on awareness, and support for women fighting this disease.
For many of the female founders participating in this campaign, the mission is personal.
When OMGTea founder, Katherine Swift's mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, she vowed to do everything she could do to help her and started working with a breast cancer charity that funds world-class research. She spent a lot of time in the research unit and was fascinated to see what was being discovered.
The Research Director had an interest in antioxidants. She found out about the importance of antioxidants in our diets, particularly when fighting disease, and the high levels found in green tea. If her mum was going to drink any green tea, it had to be the best, and it was then that she discovered matcha. Five years later, she founded OMGTea.
Katy Davies, founder of ecojiko, is no stranger to the emotional and physical toll of breast cancer. In 2021, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she discovered a lump in her breast. Within weeks, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and began chemotherapy. “My tumour was just half a millimetre away from spreading,” Katy recalls. “Early detection saved my life, and I am forever grateful. I know how fragile life is, and I am very aware I am one of the lucky ones.”
Katy's story is one of many within the Buy Women Built network. Several women in this collaboration have built their businesses while undergoing cancer treatment or recovering from it. For them, raising awareness is more than a campaign—it’s a heartfelt mission to help others catch breast cancer early.
To kick off the collaboration, the brands gathered for a photo shoot in London, hosted at the Future Dreams charity offices. Future Dreams, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by breast cancer, generously provided their space for the event, which featured many brands from the Buy Women Built network, including ecojiko, OMG Tea, Anna James the Label, L’Organiq, Evenly, Well & Truly, Caboodle, Y.O.U Underwear, Pep & Lekker, Louise Thomas Skin Care, Amp Wellbeing, Kooky, Raishma Ready to Wear, SANA Wellness, and Tinker & Tallulah. Each female founder brands are united by a common goal: raise awareness by encouraging others to check their breasts regularly and raise funds for cancer charities through their businesses.
Why Early Detection Matters
Early detection of breast cancer can be the difference between life and death. The sooner breast cancer is identified, the better the chances of successful treatment. But what does early detection really mean? It starts with regular self-checks and being aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Here’s how you can check your chest:
- Look in the Mirror: Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Check for any unusual changes such as dimpling, redness, or a change in the size or shape of your breasts.
- Raise Your Arms: With your arms raised, check again for any changes.
- Feel for Lumps: While lying down or in the shower, use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand. Check for any lumps, hard knots, or thickening of the breast tissue.
- Check the Nipples: Squeeze the nipples gently to see if there’s any discharge (fluid) other than breast milk.
Remember, everyone’s breasts are different, and changes can happen for many reasons. However, if you notice anything unusual, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider for advice.
The Power of Community
This collaboration is about more than just fundraising—it’s about creating a movement of support and awareness. As Emma Chevrel, founder of L’Organiq and a breast cancer survivor, shares, “The importance of early detection is crucial, and this super-power collective of Buy Women Built brands, working together to spread the word, just shows the force of difference women supporting women can make.”
Throughout October, each participating brand will donate a portion of their sales to breast cancer charities. OMGTea is donating to two charities, The Healthy Life Foundation and Boot Out Breast Cancer. One participating brand, ecojiko, has even developed a limited-edition range of Breast Cancer Awareness dish cloths and brushes, with 10% of sales going to Cancer Care charity. These products are designed to serve as daily reminders to check for lumps and bumps—a small but vital step in protecting your health.
This campaign is only the beginning. The collaboration aims to grow year on year into an annual event that not only raises money for essential breast cancer research but also sparks conversations and encourages more women to be vigilant about their health.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, we invite you to join us in raising awareness and funds, checking your breasts, and sharing this message of hope and solidarity. Together, we can make a difference. Early detection really does saves lives.
