Fox In Flats | How a white shirt could save your life

How a white shirt could save your life

Jan was 31 when she complained of ‘pain’. 3 years later she died.

Helen was 46 when her daughter discovered a lump in her lower tummy as she was giving her a hug. 12 months later she died.

Diane was 58 when she had an irregular smear and abdominal bloating. 2 years later, she died.

All of these women – my mum Jan, and the mothers of my dear friends Bec and Jackie – all had Ovarian Cancer. And they found out after it could be treated.

Currently, one Australian woman dies every 10 hours from Ovarian Cancer.”

Early detection of Ovarian Cancer could have saved my mum’s life. And it could save yours.

Unlike some other cancers like Breast Cancer or Bowel Cancer, there is currently no simple or effective early screening method, which means most women diagnosed are already in the advanced stages of the disease.

Click here for more information on the symptoms and signs of Ovarian Cancer.

What can we do right now?

Witchery have teamed up with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to raise much-needed funds to drive the research into an early detection test for Ovarian Cancer.

From now until May 19th – official White Shirt Day – Witchery are donating 100% of all gross proceeds from the sale of white shirts in store and online to the Foundation. This year, Witchery have created eight shirts for women and two shirts for men. You can shop them now in store and online here.

On OCRF White Shirt Day – Saturday May 19, 2012 – Australians will be urged to unite and wear a white shirt to shine the spotlight on this dreadful disease and show support to all.

And while it’s fab to share pics of gorgeous models wearing some of the shirts…

Witchery White Shirt campaign

…I thought I’d also get some people really special to me to model a few of the white shirts, in a more relaxed context (read: we got a little dirty…)

My big boy is wearing Witchery White Tuxedo Shirt $129

My little boy is wearing Placket Front Shirt $149.95

I’m wearing Broderie Shirt $129

Given that a White Shirt is one of our 13 wardrobe essentials every mother can’t do without, you just can’t go wrong by stocking up. For tips on how to wear your white shirt, click here.

But if you’d simply like to make a cash donation directly to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, click here.

I’m super-keen to do all I can to stick around for my little ones, and I’m sure you are too. Let’s band together for their sake, and ours, to find a way to detect, and ultimately cure, this horrible disease.

Because it really sucks growing up without a mum.

x Andrea

Sharing is Foxy!

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mary_j_j

Great shirts, beautiful people in those photos – and a few tears for you losing your Mum so early. I should get in to Witchery and try on a shirt or two, and buy of course x
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thanks Mary, the shirts are super comfy and gorgeous so it’s a great investment on both levels. x
  - mary_j_j
    
    I did it! Went and got myself the same one you wore in the photos! So nice to have a new shirt and support a good cause.
    - FoxInFlats
      
      Mary thankyou for supporting this cause. I’ll bet you look fab in the shirt. x
  - julie
    
    Andrea, I was so moved by your article it does suck to have no mother. In our family I have lost 11 family members to ovarian cancer and 3 months ago we lost a very dear friend only 44. It is silent and that is the scary part. Thankyou for standing up and telling your story and for supporting the cause.
    - FoxInFlats
      
      Biggest hugs xxx
Pene Turner

Beautiful gorgeous lady xxx You are amazing and this is a fabulous article with a wonderful reason. My Mother also had ovarian cancer – she did survive, but this disease it terrible and to watch someone go through it or die from it is heartbreaking… So much more needs to be done and I will happily buy a shirt to support this cause. Nice job luv xxxx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thanks Pene, and thankyou for the reminder that it is not necessarily a death sentence to be be diagnosed with this disease. I am thrilled that your mum has survived it.
  The earlier it can be detected, the better chance there is for recovery.
  x
  A
Jo

…a few tears from me too…thanks for sharing Andrea, it’s a shocking shocking disease.

I know a bit about this disease and it’s tragic impacts as a friend of mine is on the board of another little Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser called “Frocktober”…It’s based out of Melbourne (but I am pretty sure they have the odd event interstate). It basically involves frocking up for October (each year) to raise awareness and money for Ovarian Research by holding events, film nights, dinner parties etc-but always in a frock. I think it would be right up your alley… Here’s more info https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frocktober/171895466219395

PS. I think I’ll go tuxedo!
- FoxInFlats
  
  Hi Jo,
  Yes it is shocking – mostly that there is no way to detect it early!
  
  THanks for sharing the info about Frocktober. I was aware of this last year but not in time to participate. Maybe need to make this a mega-style dare for October?!
  - Caroline
    
    that would be awesome!. I’m thinking I’ll do Frocktober this year.
    - http://kimbalikes.com Kim-Marie Williams
      
      I’M SO IN FOR ROCK YOUR FROCKTOBER!!!
      
      Sent from my iPad
      - Jo
        
        Yes, Frocktober would be an EXCELLENT style dare..toally win-win. I’ll keep you in the loop of information/ideas/event as it becomes available…
        (Note to self: Email Ms Fox in about August/September about upcoming Frocktober Shenanigans to inspire October dare and to help all the mini-Foxes to be awesome crusaders)
      - http://kimbalikes.com Kim-Marie Williams
        
        Awesome!
http://happychild.com.au Yvette Vignando

perfect post about an important topic – respect and hugs for you Andrea xxx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thankyou Yvette x
Guest

I see Witchery is still trying to suck up to the Australian public with its failed ‘jacket stunt’ two years ago: http://mumbrella.com.au/naked-accused-of-screwing-the-industry-over-girl-with-the-jacket-fake-1454
I know I haven’t shopped there since. You can’t fool us, Witchery. This is no more than a PR stunt.
- FoxInFlats
  
  Dear Guest,
  Yes, most of us are aware of the ‘jacket stunt’, and not all marketing campaigns are successful, but this is very different.
  
  Having worked in marketing myself for 15 years I’m well aware that cause related programs can form part of the communication plans for brands. And in turn can help to drive people into store and increase sales.
  
  Yet if these activities are going to benefit important causes, why begrudge them?
  
  The White Shirt Campaign has been going for 5 years now, so by definition it’s not a ‘stunt’ it is a long term campaign.
  
  And this year aims to raise $1 million to put toward research – which is significantly more than many other cause related programs.
  
  Andrea
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Witchery has done so much and contributed a huge amount financially to this incredible cause – it’s not a PR stunt!
- Jo
  
  I wish more chain stores donated profits to important causes like this…..
- Amy
  
  Wow! How can someone be so completely insensitive AND totally miss the point. Shame on you.
http://twitter.com/ShesSonic She’s Sonic

What a beautiful, heartfelt post. Thank you for sharing your story, and the stories of your friends. My mum had cervical cancer and survived. I am at risk of also developing the disease, and so even though I am only 27, I have been having regular pap smears for nearly 10 years now. It’s so important to make women aware of these diseases. Through knowledge comes power…and a healthy life. xx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Hi Sonia,
  I’m sorry to hear about your mum, but stoked to hear she is doing fine!
  I know what it’s like to be at high risk. It’s a constant threat over your head. And those annual check ups can be filled with apprehension, fear, and (hopefully) relief.
  This site http://www.pinkhope.org.au/ is a great one of support and inspiration for women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and may be a good resource for you to check out. It sure has helped me.
  x
  Andrea
- http://kimbalikes.com Kim-Marie Williams
  
  Andrea, I’m so sorry to hear about your mama. I will have a special thought for you this Mother’s Day. Xxx
  
  I absolutely love the Witchery White Shirt campaign, and the silver accessories that goes with it. I will treat myself this year, and am eyeing up the Broderie shirt. I am always on the lookout for the perfect white shirt – not usually my scene, so I make a donation instead.
  
  B is right – your hot legs almost stole the show from your gorgeous mini models!
  - FoxInFlats
    
    Thanks Kim-Marie.
    There’s such a mix of shirts there, you’d find something to love.
    And my legs…LOL, I didn’t realise they’d get such a reaction! x
http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson

Beautiful post, Andrea … we too have lost a beautiful woman (my mother-in-law) to this awful disease xx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thanks Nikki, and I’m so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.
  It’s simply tragic that there is no way to detect this disease and catch it early!
  x Andrea
http://www.absoluteamy.com/ Absolute Amy

This is so beautiful Andrea, thank you so much for sharing it with us. Your photo shoot with your boys is just gorgeous, and is such a special and meaningful way to raise awareness for this disease. I’m so sorry you lost your mum to this disease at such a young age. Amy xxxx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Oh thanks Amy. I’m pleased to be able to use Fox in Flats to raise awareness. Plus, the models came cheap, for the measly cost of 2 Paddle Pops… x Andrea
BBeingCool

Great post. Great way to support a great charity. Trolls be gone! Have some heart, charities need PR otherwise we {the commoners} never hear about them!

BTW – you have a great set of legs there lovey – wow! {In case you didn’t know…}
HumbirdsSong

Lovely post Andrea, and gorgeous photos. Wonderful way to support a charity, your mum would be so proud xx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thankyou. I hope so. I reckon she helped with the weather on the day we headed to the beach in our shirts! We even swam after! X
Carly Findlay

Beautiful post Andrea – your boys are gorgeous. So sorry to read about your Mum and also your Friends’ mothers. Thank you for sharing this story and well done for doing your bit to raise awareness. Love you lots xx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thankyou gorgeous. Xxx
Rachel from Redcliffe Style

I love the white Witchery shirts. I buy a but from there and I’ll definitely get one. I just can’t decide on which one. Sorry about your mum. Rachel
- FoxInFlats
  
  Rachel, these were all super gorgeous. I will be checking out the others for sure! x
http://www.lovejk.com.au/ Jennifer Henderson

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine how hard growing up without your Mum is… Thank you for sharing your story and for promoting such a great cause. Cancer sucks. It’s evil and it takes good people away far too young and too soon. I’ve been touched by the loss of a family member from cancer & I want to support those super brainiacs out there in whatever way I can to help them find a cure. So yes, I’ll be buying my gorgeous white shirt & wearing it with pride. xx
- FoxInFlats
  
  It is evil, random and unfair. It sucks. And we can all help the brainiacs to change it.
  
  Just imagine for a second how awesome life would be without this threat?
Emma Salkild

Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I don’t really know much about ovarian cancer and I’m definitely going to buy one of those shirts and do all I can to learn more about this cancer.

I’m so sorry to hear about your mother and your friends’ mothers. It brought tears to my eyes.

I’m on the couch recovering from an operation today under general to remove pre-cancerous cells from my cervix. I was told if I didn’t have the operation I would have cancer in 15 years. Now more than ever I realise how important it is for me to be healthy for my son.

On a brighter note you and your boys are beautiful. They are seriously cute and you’re a spunk keep up the good work. I love this blog!
- FoxInFlats
  
  Oh Emma, how stressful for you. I had the same surgery a number of years ago, and can be very frightening going in for surgery. And once you have kids it takes on a whole new angle huh? Here’s to a speedy recovery for you.
  And thanks for the lovely words about my boys, they rule. xxx
Caroline

What a wonderful post. Our family has been touched with this awful disease in the last 12 months. Mum was diagnosed in March last year. Saw the specialist today who is super happy with how mum is going so fingers crossed she continues in better health.
I’m thinking I’ll do Frocktober this year to help raise aweness & funds and those shirts are gorgeous!
- FoxInFlats
  
  Hi Caroline – GREAT NEWS! And positive thoughts going your way. x
Al

Love your post Andrea, & love the pics of you and your beautiful boys! They are blessed to be so cherished as these photos capture. Witchery gets my vote for its contribution to bringing awareness and $$$ to this vital cause and FIF too for bringing it further into our minds and homes xxx
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thanks Al, we are all so blessed to have our little people, huh? And I must say, a white shirt on everyone makes the photos look much better. Those Thomas the Tank t’s just don’t coordinate with my stuff
  But seriously, it’s a privilege to be able to share important information about causes on my little site x
http://twitter.com/themodernparent Martine

Love that broderie shirt you are wearing. And yes always need to update a white shirt so what a great time to do it! So very sorry about your mum. Thanks for sharing x
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thanks Martine, it is a really gorgeous shirt and surprisingly versatile. x
http://throughmylookingglass.me Katherine

I felt so overwhelmed just now reading this, like physically in the pit of my stomach. It’s crazy that this is such a huge issue and is so unknown about! I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you, Andrea. I will be passing this post along tomorrow to all my readers. Your mini models earned those paddle pops!
- FoxInFlats
  
  Oh thankyou Katherine. It really is unreal to think that there is no early detection for this! Thankyou for sharing x
Jenna Swift

Andrea you are wonderful! (looking super hot too)
- FoxInFlats
  
  Thanks Jenna! Doing what I can. x
Fiona @ My Mummy Daze

I’m so sad to hear about your Mum, Andrea. I had a close call with cervical cancer when Miss E was just a few weeks old. A pap smear saved my life.
- FoxInFlats
  
  Oh Fiona, how frightening. Goes to show how important it is for us all to keep on top of our health x
OolaKelly

What a beautiful and touching post. The number of people touched by this horrible disease is staggering. I’m headed over to buy my white shirt now …
- FoxInFlats
  
  I’m glad it has resonated with you…it’s not something I talk about too often. x
http://www.sandragale.blogspot.com/ Sandra Gale

What gorgeous photos for a great cause. Thank you for sharing what is obviously a very personal story. Bring on the white shirts tomorrow and lets hope lots of money and awareness is raised x
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