WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg cancer survivor is hoping to help others who are going through the most difficult time of their lives by offering a one-stop shop of products and services.
Tara Torchia-Wells was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012.
“The initial thing is what are my next steps, what do I need to do, and how long is it going to take,” said Torchia-Wells. “Once the intelligent part of your brain functions, then the emotional part starts to hit; you start to think how far along is it, where is it, is it something that is not going to be fixed with chemo, am I going to live.”
She found herself running from store to store, looking for products she could use while in treatment — everything from safe, non-toxic skin care and cosmetics, to wigs and mastectomy wear.
It was then she realized there was a gap in the market for those battling cancer.
“Everything in this store you can get somewhere else,” said Torchia-Wells. “However, when you are going through cancer you have a number of appointments, you are exhausted and to have one more thing you need to do, need to find, need to go online for where to get… it’s exhausting, it’s tiring, it’s another task. Why is there not one place where you can go.”
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Enter The Unexpected Gift.
Torchia-Wells’ new shop officially opened on July 27 and she’s hoping it can bring a small reprieve to others who are battling cancer.
The store will carry a variety of products, including non-toxic skin and hair care products, recovery compression garments, wigs, hats, mastectomy pillows and books.
READ MORE: Cancer cases slated to climb 40 per cent by 2030, Canadian report warns
An estimated 2,800 people will die of cancer in Manitoba and 6,700 new cases will be diagnosed in 2015, Canadian Cancer Society statistics suggest.
The society estimates 200 women will die of breast cancer in Manitoba this year.
The Unexpected Gift is located at 1116 Portage Avenue.
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