Breast Cancer Awareness - Gift that Gives Back on BRProud

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are new to Jewel of Havana, you may not know I am a breast cancer survivor.

I am very open about my journey because at the time I was diagnosed, I had never heard about my only symptom being a sign of cancer: It wasn’t on a mammogram, I never felt a lump and I had no family history. These are the things we all hear about.

Early Detection

I am so lucky things happened the way they did. There were many moments along the way it could have been different. The GYN could have stopped at the first test. After meeting the specialist and learning there was only a 2 percent chance it was cancer, I could have chosen not to have the surgery. No family history, no one seemed alarmed, etc., but thanks to a Cuban Mom and her loud worry meter, I chose the surgery and found out I was in that 2 percent.

Gifts that Give Back

Because of the survivors that came forward to help me and my husband navigate those early days and my desire to create a piece of jewelry to thank them, the Draped In Love Collection was born.

For the past 6 years, your purchases from the Draped In Love Collection have raised funds for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Last year, in celebration of reaching the end of treatments and hitting 5 years cancer free, I released the pieces in sterling silver. They celebrate this milestone and honor one of those original friends and survivors who is now a Heavenly Angel. Your purchases from the silver Draped In Love Collection support the Dodi Groves Breast Cancer Fund in her honor.

BRProud News

When reporter, Kourtney Williams reached out for BRProud’s breast cancer awareness story I was happy to contribute.

I share some details that could make some uncomfortable but if it helps one person get checked early, then I hope you will understand. We need to share with each other. Information is power and education helps you make the right decisions for you. Early detection gives us more options for treatment and hopefully saves lives.

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Here’s Kourtney's BRProud news story about my breast cancer journey and the jewelry that was inspired by it.

Stay safe and if anything is different, go get checked.   xo Ana

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Ana Maria Andricain on BRProud News - Cancer Awareness Month - Gifts that Give Back

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***Partnership update: As of 2022, we are proud to partner with the Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute. Your generous purchases from the Draped In Love Collection will now support the OLOL Cancer Institute for screenings and care of those who cannot afford it and research to benefit our community and beyond.