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Notes from Our President
 A Message From Linda
This year Ladies First will celebrate 19 years in the business of providing unique products designed to comfort women recovering from and living with breast cancer.
The year 2009 reflects the 19th anniversary of my second breast cancer diagnosis, surgery and with that, the concept and design for the SOFTEE® Prosthetic Camisole, the first breast surgery recovery garment. The SOFTEE® may look the same, however over the years it has undergone some subtle revisions based on the ever changing needs of the patient.
Back in 1985 & 1989 following my own surgeries, the hospital stay was 3-4 days and the surgical drains were removed at the time of hospital discharge. Years later when women began going home the same or next day we added the "Roo" pocket to comfortably and conveniently accommodate the drains. This pattern was renamed the SOFTEE® TWO, so that the Original SOFTEE® design could remain and always be recognized as the FIRST. Later, when women began to undergo immediate reconstructive breast surgery requiring up to four post operative drains, we expanded the size of the "Roo" to hold up to four sets of drains yet with the flexibility to lay flat and undetected once the drains were removed.
Ladies First, the SOFTEE® and Me; nearly two decades of survivorship and of serving women with the #1 most recommended, prescribed and preferred after-breast-surgery products.
Now that is something to celebrate!
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A Message from Linda
2006 was an eventful year for me, one that marked my 21st year as a breast cancer survivor. Unfortunately, a few weeks following this milestone anniversary I discovered a lump. Results of the biopsy confirmed that the breast cancer has indeed returned. It has been over 17 years since my first reoccurrence and second surgery, so I was as surprised as my team of doctors that after all of this time the cancer decided to start growing again. I am feeling exceptionally well, have a very positive prognosis and am completely confident that this current course of treatment will take me into another long and healthy remission. Meanwhile most days you will still find me here in the office doing what I love best which is the business of helping other women who are recovering from and living with breast cancer. Here is wishing all of you a Happy & Prosperous Year with best wishes for good health and many blessings in 2007.
Linda Jackson
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SOFTEE®: What's Behind The Brand Name
For over 17 years the SOFTEE® post-operative prosthetic camisole has been comforting and restoring confidence to breast cancer patients. Designed by a breast cancer survivor, the SOFTEE® was the very first post mastectomy recovery garment and today continues to be the most recognized, recommended, and prescribed after-breast-surgery product available.
From the thousands of medical professionals, who recommend the SOFTEE®, to the physicians who prescribe it and the women who wear it, the SOFTEE® is a name they know they can trust. Created from personal experience the SOFTEE® was a pioneer by being the first product to address the immediate and special needs of the breast surgery patient.
When no one else understood the importance of emotional healing and restored self image to a woman's overall recovery, Ladies First and the SOFTEE® were out there offering soft comfort, restored shape, managing the post-op drains and helping women to feel comforted and reassured. When a product is designed and produced with this kind of compassion and integrity it shows in everything they do.
We are very proud of what we have accomplished during these fifteen years. Behind the brand name SOFTEE® you will find a dedicated company and exceptional people who have kept product standards high by remaining focused and committed to improving the quality of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Lingerie
Can you imagine what pure joy it is for women who have undergone breast surgery to finally discover pocketed sleep and leisure wear so versatile and comfortable they want to continue wearing them all day? Add supportive, seamless, non-binding AND in beautiful colors, then you will understand why our unique products become favorites from the time a woman first puts them on.
Thanks to the Ladies First Pocketed Cami™, Mastectomy Slip™, Soft Silhouette™ Bras and Active Tee™ sports style bra, women have the freedom to be comfortable, confident, fashionable and feminine 24 hours per day. You will LOVE the fabulous color choices available ONLY from Ladies First, because we know what women want!
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Active Tee™ Soft Bra
This unique pocketed design is perfect for sleep, lounging and recreation. Unlike most Spandex sports bra varieties, the versatile Active Tee™ Soft Bra offers no compression so will not minimize fullness. Made from a breathable, soft cotton blend knit, the fabric is woven especially for Ladies First products. This is the comfort and leisure bra every post surgery woman dreams of and deserves to call her own. Wide lace shoulder straps sit gently on the shoulders and provide all over stretch for stepping into and pulling up. The Active Tee™ Soft Bra is available in white, beige, pink and black with sizes Small through XX-Large. The Active Tee™ in color choices is billed for reimbursement as a mastectomy or surgical bra and is one more option you will want to offer your customers.
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SUPPORT SOFTEE®
The SUPPORT SOFTEE®, ahhhhh - this is my own personal favorite SOFTEE® style. Midriff in length with double elastic bands for light lift, it always stays put. The SUPPORT SOFTEE® does not require tucking into trousers or skirt, so I find it cooler for summer. Even minus the weight and fullness of a natural breast, there is no riding up or shifting of the SOFTEE® lightweight breast forms. This style as well as all of our SOFTEE® prosthetic camisoles should fit and feel snug, like a hug to offer a secure and smooth fit. I appreciate the comfort and freedom of wearing the SUPPORT SOFTEE® when I am working in the office, gardening outside, when I am lounging about the house or visiting with friends. The SOFTEE® restores shape, is soft against my skin, is cozy and non-binding, I couldn't ask for more!
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Over a Decade of Caring
For over 17 wonderful years we have been dedicated to providing women diagnosed with breast cancer a unique and useful line of specialty products. It all began with the Original SOFTEE®, the first Prosthetic Camisole and over time with your suggestions, support and encouragement we have continued to grow and blossom! Thank You-Thank You to both you and your customers for your continued commitment to our high quality products and services.
Linda Jackson
President
21 year Breast Cancer Survivor
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20 Years Of Innovative and Creative Fashion With a Purpose
Ladies First, Inc. and The SOFTEE® Prosthetic Camisole
20 Years Of Innovative and Creative Fashion With a Purpose
January 2010 marks our celebration of 2 decades of dedication and service to women all over the USA who are recovering from breast cancer surgery. Twenty years ago and before the birth of the SOFTEE® women were offered nothing appropriate to wear as they left the hospital and returned home to recuperate from breast surgery. How well I recall my own experience and ultimately how important it became to me to find a solution that would address both the emotional and physical issues women like myself were forced to quietly deal with.
My Mother's generation simply considered altered body image, emotional distress from losing a breast and physical discomfort during healing from a mastectomy their cross to bear. They attached the post-op drains to their clothing with a safety pin, inserted a rolled up sock in an oversized shirt breast pocket, and suffered in silence, they had no other options.
In 1990 our introduction of the Original SOFTEE® changed everything. Now there was a way to address all of the patients immediate needs with a specialty prosthetic camisole that could be worn immediately following surgery and throughout healing, allowing women to recover with the comfort and confidence they wanted and needed.
Women dealing with breast cancer embraced the SOFTEE® immediately, the post mastectomy industry and some within the healthcare community were slower to accept a new idea and product. Over time and with the help of thousands of personal testimonials from the patients who received a SOFTEE®, soon the physicians, nurses and retail providers of after-breast-surgery products came to understand the significance of this garment to the overall well being of the women they serve. The SOFTEE® filled an overlooked void in patient aftercare and was soon approved Nationwide for Medicare and insurance reimbursement.
Over the years there have been many attempts to duplicate the SOFTEE®, there are now other camisoles sold by companies both large and small that might appear to be similar, however some ideas cannot be improved upon. Who could better understand the special needs of a breast cancer patient than a breast cancer survivor with personal experience.
From the beginning, Ladies First and the SOFTEE® have focused our business on offering comfort and high quality products for women in recovery, living with and beyond breast cancer, and we have stayed the course for 20 years.
The SOFTEE® Prosthetic Camisole:
- The original, quality garment
- The most recommended and prescribed by healthcare professionals
- The number one patient preferred
- 6 Styles for recovery, throughout treatment, and beyond
- The only post-op Prosthetic Camisole designed by a breast cancer survivor
Ladies First, Inc.:
- Celebrating 20 years of proudly serving women with
100% American made designs and goods
- An industry pioneer
- Woman owned and operated
- Founded by a breast cancer survivor
- Providing jobs and opportunity to businesses nationally and in our own community
- Generous national grant & donation programs for uninsured and
under-served women
Thank you to the thousands of women who have shared their personal testimonials about the SOFTEE®, to the physicians and other health care providers who appreciate the benefits of the SOFTEE®, and to our valued retail providers who want the very best quality products for their customers. It is all of you who have made our ongoing success possible.
Linda Jackson
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