The Amazing Work of Future Dreams! Revolutionising Breast Cancer Support

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of how breast cancer can affect people, the services available for those diagnosed, the impact of research surrounding the disease, and ways that you can get involved with fundraising.

This year in particular we want to highlight the amazing work of Future Dreams, a Breast Cancer support charity, providing incredible assistance to those diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as their families and friends. 

Since 2021, Y.O.U Underwear have partnered with Future Dreams to donate £1 from every purchase of our light pink underwear to help fund their vital work. Breast cancer is a cause close to our hearts as my family in particular are affected, so I'm really pleased that so far we've managed to raise over £1,500 for Future Dreams thanks to your amazing support. 

Image: © Y.O.U Underwear

The Future Dreams charity was founded in 2008 by a mother and daughter who were both diagnosed with breast cancer. Sylvie Henry and Danielle Leslie set up the charity to provide support to other people going through similar struggles to them and to ensure everyone has somewhere to turn. After both of them tragically lost their lives, their story lives on through the continued work of Future Dreams, who now provide a wide range of support for those diagnosed with breast cancer, fund ground-breaking research into secondary breast cancer, and campaign for breast health and breast cancer awareness. 

From workshops and classes to a variety of guidance and advice, Future Dreams are there to provide support and reassurance beyond simply medical assistance. The Future Dreams website is a comprehensive and easy to navigate hub for all those diagnosed with breast cancer and anyone else who may have questions or need advice. 

Future Dreams are also acutely aware of the loneliness that often accompanies a diagnosis and are committed to creating positive networks through organising a variety of support groups as well as assistance with practical issues such as bra and prosthesis fittings, or nipple tattooing. Resources such as their annual magazine  and a regular podcast hosted by Victoria Derbyshire provide safe spaces for people to share their experiences and anxieties as well as reaching wider audiences to increase awareness of a disease which will affect one in seven women in their lifetime. 

I was recently invited to Future Dreams house in North London, along with a community of other female business founders for whom Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important time of the year. 

  

  

The day was organised to bring together members of the Buy Women Built community, enabling them to share their varied experiences and have a tour of the house facilities including the 1:1 rooms, the kitchen space, workshop rooms, and outdoor areas. And to celebrate everyone coming together for a good cause, we all participated in a lovely pink photoshoot, featuring Anna James' Be Fearless t-shirts, made from organic cotton of course!

This incredible day was full of a lot of fun and positivity as well as serving as an important reminder that over 55,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, meaning it is SO important to regularly check your breasts as early detection can literally save lives! You can read our guide to self examination here.

There are so many ways to get involved this Breast Cancer Awareness month, from participating in a fundraising event, to volunteering your time, making a donation, or shopping with one of the many amazing brands donating to charities. And don’t forget to show your support by wearing pink! 

Remember that it is so important to check your breasts regularly and to be aware of the early signs to look out for. 

Get involved this Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

• Discover more about our work with Future Dreams
• Shop our Future Dreams collection here
• Support Female Founded Business