“Breast Friends” — a group of 10 women from Foam Lake, Sask. — have raised more $1 million for cancer research through their cookbook series, and now the books are available to purchase locally.
The first three books, “For the Breasts of Friends,” “For the Breasts and the Rest of Friends” and “Breast Wishes” have over 400 recipes, and the latest book, “Breast Wishes for Christmas” contains over 200 recipes. Each book also has original photos, quotes, quips, stories and cancer information.
The idea for the books started in 2003 when one of the friends wanted to raise $3,000 for cancer research. Nine of her friends supported her and in the end they raised $18,000 through a banquet.
During and after the banquet, many people asked for the recipes served, and the books were born.
Since 2004, the profits from the books have been donated to health life programs, oncology units, digital mammography, diagnostic equipment, breast assessment centres, Look Good Feel Good programs, furniture and specialized beds for patient comfort, chemotherapy infusion pumps, Camp Goodtimes for children living with cancer, third-world breast cancer clinics and other cancer causes.
In December, the “Breast Friends” appeared on the show Dragon’s Den where they received a $50,000 donation.
To purchase the books in the West Kootenay, they are available through the following locations: Bourbon Street Boutique, Kel Print, Canadian Cancer Society’s Trail office, Style Mavens in Trail, Esprit De La Femme Lingerie in Nelson, Dorothy Northrup in Rossland at 250-362-9649, Deborah Shergold in Warfield at 250-368-5636 and Gwen Chernenkoff-Pegg in Genelle at 250-693-2220.