Breasts. Boobs. Melons. Knockers. Tits. Tatas – whatever you want to call them, we all LOVE them.
They nourish us when we are little and delight us when we are older. Entire industries are devoted to supporting them, enhancing them, teasing, tickling and even hiding them.
Sadly there’s the need to come together to protect them.
Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of their life. In 2011 there was an estimated 300,000 new cases of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer diagnosed. Of those, 40,000 died from their cancer.
Every woman needs a champion to help fight this insidious disease.
Lucky for all of us women, Déjà vu Love Boutique has one.
She hasn’t had breast cancer. Nor does she know anyone who does. However, she has heard the stories. Given that Déjà vu Love Boutiques’ major customer base is women; the stories are common.
Too common.
So Melissa Kurbis, the owner of Déjà vu Love Boutique, decided to do something because honestly that’s the kind of woman she is. She’s smart, she’s tough and she’s also all heart. Now she is going to read this and give me her “Melissa face”. Anyone who knows her or works for her can recognize it. She sets her jaw and then gives you the barest hint of a smile. It can be unnerving if she’s mad, and it always makes me smile when I see it because whatever the reason she is making it (in this case me saying she is a kind and compassionate) more than anything it is the face of a strong determined woman.
I saw this face the day Déjà vu Love Boutique was turned down to hold a charity event for a very large national breast cancer group. They gave Melissa no reason why however; we all knew it was because of the type of business she owns. Egads it’s an Adult store!! I find a twisted irony in that as sexuality after something as traumatic as removing someone’s breast is pretty damn important.
Here is the reason why I adore Melissa, her managers and amazing staff. She made that famous “face” and in one weeks’ time, not only were they having a charity event for another national breast cancer group, it would now be an annual event.
For Déjà vu Love Boutique, May is now all about breast cancer.
Melissa enlisted the help of some of the largest, most famous, and powerful companies and individuals in the adult market. Lelo, WEvibe, System Jo, Wet, Liberator, Icon, Sportsheets, Shirley of Hollywood…the list goes on and on. She then took the term event to a completely new level. Even though the reason for the charity event is deadly serious, she wanted it to be fun and a celebration of life.
Well, nothing says fun like a carnival! On May 19th the parking lot will become one with games, prizes, a raffle and a little birdie even told me possibly some stars from the Adult video industry. Then there will be a fashion show, a DJ and contests.
The entire staff has volunteered to work that day, well some of them a bit grumbly because after all it is a Saturday J However they will be there with their undeniable energy and support for the cause. All have helped in the planning and preparation for Save the Tatas.
I asked Melissa why she was going so far above and beyond for this cause; given that she said she didn’t know anyone personally who had breast cancer. Typical to her no nonsense persona she said it was because she wanted to give back.
Such a simple wonderful thing.
Given that Déjà vu gives a standing discount to Military and First Responders she takes giving back seriously already. She wanted to do more and the determination of her and her staff made it happen in a big way.
I have the privilege of being invited for the event to take pictures and write an article about it. I would have come anyway.
You see I have known women with breast cancer. Some I have even had to say goodbye to.
That “Melissa face”, that determination to give back, to stand up, to help so many in the fight against something that ends beautiful lives; gives me hope that in future there will not be a goodbye due to breast cancer.
Today…nuzzle your favorite breasts. Kiss them. Hug the person they are attached to and admire all the unique ones you see.
And don’t be a BOOB! Come out on May 19th and help us keep all these lovely tatas around.
Wishing you good health and great sex
Tessa Ayden