Because No Woman Should Lose Her Dignity to Breast Cancer, There Is Harriett's.

Posted July 13, 2009, 9:23 am in Community Outreach


Shopping is a pastime that many women enjoy. But a store that caters specifically to your needs? And charges either nothing or “whatever you can pay”?  Where do you find a store like that?  In April 2006, a small boutique, “Harriett's,” opened at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando. This store does all this – and much more –  because this store has a special mission and purpose: it is specifically for breast cancer patients.

WPFT had supported the M. D. Anderson - Orlando van, which transports patients who are getting cancer treatment. They liked the idea of something you could see and touch, something concrete, something “bricks and mortar”-based.


Based on patient feedback and member experiences, the idea of a store for items specific to the needs of breast cancer patients began to take shape. Elaine Lustig of WPFT appealed to local philanthropist Harriett Lake, who agreed to underwrite the project. A space within the Center which had been planned as offices was given by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando to WPFT to develop the shop. The walls of the space were painted pink and the floor was inlaid with a medallion of the breast cancer ribbon to reflect the purpose.

The merchandise is selected specifically for breast cancer patients and includes useful and necessary items like special camisoles to hold drainage tubes and hats and scarves to cover hair loss. The store also offers bracelets, afghans, pajamas, jogging suits, lamps, etc., in the familiar pink and white. On Mother's Day, the store “sold out” and had to be completely re-stocked!


Today, each patient at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando who requires a biopsy or who is diagnosed with breast cancer is invited to browse through Harriett’s and select a comfort item of her choice as a gift from WPFT. The store is also available to family and friends who want to select a meaningful and useful gift.

Because the store doesn't buy in big lots, WPFT gets no discounts on the items in the store. Customers, however, do donate to the store, and the endowment is supplemented in this way.


A guest book is a testament to the value of the shop. Many “shoppers” have signed the book, acknowledging that the items brightened their day or made a difficult situation a little easier to handle.

Debby Haynes, longtime WPFT volunteer, has been the buyer for the store since its beginning. She is insistent that every item be of good quality and that everything offered is useful or fun. Although the store can't stock wigs (too much space!), it offers a variety of hats, which Debby says she enjoys selecting. In fact, she enjoys her job so much that when she can't sleep, she often goes to her computer in the wee hours, poring over possible items that her customers would like!


Debby moved to Orlando from Minnesota in the 1980s and raised her family here. Currently, she is a mediator at the Orange County Courthouse – another volunteer position, with heavy responsibilities.

Always a golfer, she has played in all the WPFT golf tournaments except the first. Her most memorable golf game, she relates, was with her daughter-in-law's father, as she was first getting to know the family. She told him her handicap, but played the first nine holes only two above par. She says it felt great to be so good! The back nine holes were not as good – and repaired the “sandbagging” reputation quickly.

Debby's husband, Bruce, actually developed golf courses, and is now retired. She has two  sons, two great daughters-in-law, and “3 ½ grandchildren” (one due shortly!).



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