Empowering Women Post-Cancer: A Fitting Place’s Journey from Humble Beginnings to Lifelong Impact

In the early 1960s, Marsha, a mother of young children, underwent a radical mastectomy—a procedure that left her facing not only the physical and emotional toll of cancer but also a profound lack of resources tailored for women like her. Her husband, driven by a determination to support Marsha’s recovery and help her regain confidence, traveled across the United States in search of products designed specifically for women post-surgery. His search eventually led him to Dallas, where he discovered a suitable product and reached out to Sandra and her husband, owners of a local dress shop.

From this serendipitous connection, the seeds of a new venture were sown. Together with Marsha and her husband, Sandra decided to take a leap of faith, transforming part of her dress shop into a boutique dedicated to mastectomy products. Though the store itself was small, the demand was overwhelming. Customers soon lined up out the door, clearing the shelves in a matter of hours. The demand was so intense that they had to fly in new stock just a week after opening. This unexpected success underscored a vital gap in resources for post-cancer care.

As the business grew, the founders faced a critical decision: should they close the dress shop to fully embrace the mastectomy boutique. Community support and the obvious need for their services made the decision clear—they would focus on expanding the boutique, naming it A Fitting Place. Over time, the shop evolved beyond bras to include fittings for an expanded range of sizes, establishing a reputation for sensitivity, quality, and personalized service.

With demand showing no signs of slowing, A Fitting Place moved from its original location to larger spaces, eventually finding a home in Regalia. The offerings grew with it, expanding to include wigs, lymphedema sleeves, specialized bras, swimsuits, and pajamas. Each addition was chosen to meet the holistic needs of women recovering from cancer, aiming to provide comfort, style, and dignity.

As the boutique’s mission evolved, Sandra’s daughter Belinda and Marsha’s daughter-in-law Janet became the next generation to carry on this legacy. Both have pursued extensive training to understand the physical and emotional aspects of post-cancer care. Their dedication to ensuring every client feels supported and confident reflects the heart of A Fitting Place’s founding mission.

Today, Belinda and Janet continue to uphold the vision their mothers set out to create, committed to adapting and expanding the boutique’s offerings while remaining true to its core purpose: helping women feel like themselves again after cancer.