Second Act Mastectomy Boutique

01/23/2026

Today I received a hand written note, in the mail, from a client. She so elegantly expressed our mission . . . accomplished. Here's what she wrote:

I should have written this seven years ago. Of all the people I dealt with before or after the surgery, you were the kindest and most helpful. With you I wasn't a patient or a tumor or test results. You made me feel I was myself - whole and a bit stronger. I am grateful to you and I always will be. My thanks!

And so, this is why we do, what we do, the way we do it; to the consternation of my staff sometimes. And on those tough days, this type of encouragement helps me remember this is more than “just any ole job” and that's saying something from a 73 year old who spent a 30-year career in advertising and sometimes wonders why I'm not retired. This is why we push for excellence. It’s not about the money (although a bit more monetary success would be nice 😊). It’s about the difference we make in people’s lives by caring and going the extra mile. Thank you to all the mastectomy fitters around the country who share this mission.

01/09/2026

"WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO APPLY": Former President Obama is calling on Chicago residents to join the team behind the new South Side Presidential Center. DETAILS: bit.ly/49a2dTw

01/08/2026

The Obama Presidential Center (OPC) is hiring now for a variety of roles, including Curatorial Assistant, Visitor Services Associate, Visitor Engagement Associate, Security Supervisor, Security Officer, Custodial Team Lead, Custodian, and Operating Engineer.

There are part-time, full-time, second-shift, and third-shift positions, and applications are due by January 21 or January 31, depending on the role. The OPC is located at 6001 S. Stony Island Avenue in Jackson Park.

South Side Chicago Jobs is the free job board dedicated to Chicago's South Side business owners, organizations, and job seekers.

To apply to these jobs and others, go to
https://southsidechicagojobs.niceboard.co/company/the-obama-foundation

08/08/2025

This report on physician compensation also addresses the concerns we have, as providers, with the reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid. As a small, very small, healthcare provider for whom more than 60% of our revenue comes from Medicare and Medicaid, I can tell you the concern is real and it is affecting access to care by Medicare and Medicaid recipients. If we are not reimbursed fairly we cannot pay our bills and we cannot keep our doors open. And, trust me, our compensation has nothing in common with the specialties noted in this report. Further, while this research was done by the Advisory Board, a reputable research source specializing in the health and medical industries, interestingly it does not address the issue of reimbursement from commercial insurance companies (the other 40% of our revenue source). And this study was distributed by Optum, a United Health Group company. It makes you go Hmmmmm.

Doximity last week released its 2025 Physician Compensation Report, which shows the highest- and lowest-paid specialties and metropolitan areas in 2024. See the results on our interactive charts.

08/01/2025

Tariffs, and so it begins. Two of our three vendors for mastectomy products have issued price increases from 5% to 15%. I suspect the remainder are coming soon. Will we increase our prices to our breast cancer patients? NO. Because our pricing is regulated by insurance companies, those highly profitable, billion dollar companies whose senior managers are definitely rich, profiting off the suffering of their members. Whose reimbursement rates to us, their providers who serve their members, are already so low we can barely keep our doors open. And now, we have to absorb this. Thank you DJT for, and I quote, "Making America great and rich again".

Great for who? Uninsured and under-insured citizens who already can't pay their medical bills? Great for small businesses who are already working on razor thin margins?

Who's getting rich? Business owners and managers of multi-million, billion dollar companies? If I thought the revenue that these tariffs will bring into government coffers would benefit the citizens of this country I could at least understand this. But really, has this administration shown any indication they care about the lives of 80% - 90% of our citizens? Does anyone still believe in the trickle down theory of macroeconomics?

And even if we could raise our prices, we wouldn't. Our breast cancer patients are already facing so many challenges, we couldn't add this to everything else they are facing. It goes against everything we, and so many health and wellness, social services stand for. But at this rate, if companies and social service agencies, hospitals and State Medicaid programs can't pay our bills and keep our doors open, who will care for these individuals?

07/03/2025

Northwestern Medicine Robert Lurie Cancer Center is offering a complimentary on-line seminar for cancer patients, survivors, advocates, and healthcare professionals. A live Q&A will follow each presentation. Date: August 9, 2025.

Complimentary on-line seminar for cancer patients, survivors, advocates, and healthcare professionals. A live Q&A will follow each presentation.

06/18/2025

There is an online test you can take to give you an idea of your potential lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Here is the link: https://magview.com/ibis-risk-calculator/ . Remember early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. It is critical that you are getting your annual mammogram and/or are doing self breast exams.

The Tyrer-Cuzick risk model or IBIS risk tool assesses a women’s 10 year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

03/27/2025

Over 300 cancer patients will receive wigs at no cost...

03/17/2025

Second Act Mastectomy Boutique has decided to cease offering wig services. But what to do with all those beautiful, new, never been worn wigs? Donate them, of course. All packed up and off they go. So grateful to Living Well Cancer Resources Centers for giving them a good home and thrilled to know they will help hundreds of ladies undergoing cancer treatment and hair loss.

02/25/2025

Cinema Femme is a Chicago based not-for-profit which, as the name implies, has to do with the film industry - roles in front of and behind the camera. They have a Film Fest (at the Music Box and Virtual), Cinema Femme magazine and a mentorship program devoted to expanding inclusiveness for gender-expansive individuals and women who still haven’t achieved parity in film. Their website is https://cinemafemme.com/ .

Membership is an important part of their business model. If you are interested in becoming a member, the General level is on sale now for only $45, which includes two tickets to the Film Fest (in person or virtual) and a digital magazine subscription to the quarterly magazine (excellent writing), and is normally $95 (higher levels are also available, with more benefits).

Film Festivals, reviews, Sundance 20 views Sundance 2025 Dispatch: “Touch Me,” “Sauna,” “East of Wall,” “Sugar Babies,” and “The Librarians” January 31, 2025 by Emily Jacobson 0 comments When I was thirteen, I remember scrolling through the movie channels of my parents’ televis...

02/14/2025

At Second Act Mastectomy Boutique our mission is to serve cancer patients, to make their lives easier. Due to tariffs imposed by the current administration our ability to deliver products in a timely manner to these women, has been noticeably impacted. Today we received this notice from one of our critical vendors.

"There have been very recent changes in US Tariffs and Customs regulations and operations that are causing delays in the shipping of orders from our North American Warehouse in Toronto, Canada to our US retailers.

We understand the impact that these delays can have on your business, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

We remain hopeful that our shipments will begin to be processed in a more timely manner within the next days and that orders will no longer be held at US Customs for extended periods. "

As a small, entrepreneurial business, this administration is NOT making our small business, or the women we serve, better.