Lexington Medical Center - Becky's Place

Overview

Becky's Place is a boutique located inside Lexington Medical Center that offers products including wigs, mastectomy bras and prosthetics for women who are recovering from breast cancer. Open since 2000, it is named in honor of a Lexington Medical Center Foundation board member and hospital volunteer, Becky Johnson, who died of ovarian cancer.

The boutique helps women deal with appearance-related side effects of breast cancer surgery as well as the side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss and skin changes. Staff members are certified in mastectomy fittings and prosthetics, and some are breast cancer survivors themselves. Any woman who has had surgery for breast cancer can be fitted for a prosthesis and mastectomy bra at Becky's Place. Services also include wig fittings, fashion advice, head-wrap and scarf-tying classes, and access to information on most cancer topics. These services benefit women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer. The boutique has fashion accessories for all women who want to look their best, with a wide variety of specialized products to enhance their appearance following surgery for breast cancer and during cancer treatment.

Impact

Becky's Place has served more than 1,000 patients. Having a staff person and three volunteers who are breast cancer survivors helps to alleviate fear of the unknown and helps patients see that there is hope and life after a cancer diagnosis. Becky's Place also has a fund to assist uninsured Lexington County residents with their boutique purchases.

Challenges/success factors

People undergoing cancer treatment have unique needs. One of the greatest services the hospital can provide is convenient access to wig and prosthetic fittings as well as one-stop shopping adjacent to their physician offices. These patients value privacy and staff who are sensitive to their needs.

Future direction/sustainability

Becky's Place is conveniently located next to the women's imaging department. Boutique leaders are working on ways to allow more women at one time to be served.

Advice to others

When planning the physical location and layout of any type of boutique/service, make sure to allow room for expansion. More space may be needed as the program's client base builds.

Contact: Kelly Jeffcoat
Telephone: 803-791-2521
E-mail: KNJeffcoat@lexhealth.org

Contact: Deirdre Young
Telephone: 803-936-8050
E-mail: DDYoung@lexhealth.org