Kathryn met the team of volunteers at Be Uplifted Inc during her own breast cancer journey. New to Australia, Kathryn called our breast cancer charity and, along with her family, was offered the emotional and financial support she needed during a difficult time.

Following her breast cancer treatment, Kathryn used her creativity and business nous to create a post mastectomy swimwear brand. In 2016, she launched her brand Ocean Koala, which offers brightly coloured multi-functional swimwear in a flattering shape. Kathryn’s swimwear caters for women who have suffered from breast cancer, for example who have had a breast removed, or women who are looking to cover up surgical scars.

This is what Kathryn recently told us about her beautiful post breast cancer surgery swimwear range:

“Following my breast cancer diagnosis, post mastectomy and chemotherapy I felt I wanted to swim and relax in the water and on the beach.

I researched many shops and websites for swimwear and found that in addition to the problem of cost, it was difficult to find a swimsuit for women who had not had reconstruction and found that ‘scooped necked’ costumes do not work. It was my wish to look ‘normal’ after surgery and not in unflattering and aging swimmers.

Having realised this and with my design background I knew I would have to develop my own swimsuit and address three key issues, covering and disguising a concave chest and scaring, wanting to look just that little bit stylish and glamorous and producing swimmers that were not as expensive as those currently available. This is how Ocean Koala came into being and in support of the organisation that helped us, 10% of all profits from sales go back to Be Uplifted.”

Watch Be Uplifted Co-Founder and President Wendy (and can you spot Be Uplifted Inc volunteer and Treasurer Margaret?), appear with Kathryn on Channel 7 News and discuss Ocean Koala

At Be Uplifted Inc we are delighted to support Kathryn and her thriving business for breast cancer survivors, with Ocean Koala donating 10% of her profits back to Be Uplifted Inc to help us help more breast cancer patients.

You can look at the range of Ocean Koala mastectomy swimwear by following this link, or find out more about Kathryn’s breast cancer journey and her affiliation with Be Uplifted Inc here.