Our long standing partnership with Marks & Spencer Reliance India P Ltd
Over the years Marks & Spencer (M&S) has been a generous supporter in the WCI journey. Partnering since 2017 to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and spread awareness about the cause. They have been our biggest supporters through various initiatives.
It all started in September 2017 with the launch of post-surgery bras in India. The range was designed following a loyal customer, who had undergone a double mastectomy writing to the CEO complaining she could no long shop M&S bras. The lingerie design team then worked with the customer to create a tailored range of comfortable bras with thoughtful additions including prothesis support and soft on skin fabrications. The range offers many of the most popular bra styles and are designed to make the women feel feminine and the lingerie fitting team received specialist bra training to help support breast-cancer survivors. A launch event was held in Mumbai to raise awareness of the partnership and cause and remind women around the signs and symptoms to check for.
Marks & Spencer launches post-surgery lingerie and its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign in India
“I’m so happy to know that Marks & Spencer have created a post-surgery lingerie range for women affected by Breast Cancer. This could be life changing for so many women who will regain their confidence and self-image and be able to face life on their own terms once again" said Ms. Deveika Bhojwani.
Alongside the launch of post-surgery bras, M&S India launched an ongoing fund-raising campaign, inviting customers to get involved and round up their bills with proceeds.
ONGOING COMMITMENTS
Marks & Spencer has committed to donating 10% of sales from the post-surgery range to the Women’s Cancer Initiative to support patients breast cancer treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital. An ongoing training program also ensures that fitters understand the needs of customers looking for post-surgery lingerie and are fully equipped to ensure women can get a bra that perfectly fits.
M&S stores in the West Region support customer donations for WCI all year round then every October all M&S support fund raising for WCI as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. M&S also works with WCI to use its store network to raise awareness of the signs of symptoms of breast cancer and guidance around how to check yourself, with mirror stickers in the lingerie changing rooms and leaflets as well as through its website.
M&S also participates in the annual Wear-Pink-to-Work day and supports colleagues with educational sessions with doctors.
IMPACT
Since the launch of the partnership, through the generous donation from M&S customers through and the 10% donation from the sales of post-surgery bras, WCI has been able to support 75 patients at Tata Memorial Hospital as financial aid to support their treatment for Breast Cancer
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
- “I am indebted by the support provided by WCI.The financial aid has helped me with my procedures and medicines.The team's guidance helped me get treatment from very good doctors.” - Ms. Chayya Sawant (Mumbai)
- “WCI came in like a blessing during the most difficult time in my life.I did not feel alone through my cancer journey because of them.I am deeply grateful for all they have done for me.” - Ms. Suman P. Rikame (Nashik)
