Retail support has been in fashion for a quarter century at Ohio State, where Hope’s Boutique elevates shopping experiences to improve quality of life for cancer patients. Hope’s Boutique first opened its doors in 1998, after Wendy Avner became frustrated with the lack of fashion choices available during her treatment for breast and ovarian cancers. Avner sought to provide a wider array of products specifically designed for women who were undergoing cancer therapies, as well as those who had already completed their treatment. Her vision eventually came to life through a partnership with leaders at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, who provided a space for patients to find personalized retail experiences. “Hope’s staff members surveyed products and services for survivors and women going through cancer treatments to look and feel their best,” manager Ellen Jackson says of the boutique, located at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center. Click here to learn more about Hope’s Boutique, Ohio State’s one-stop shop for women who have or have had cancer. At Hope’s, women team with retail experts to choose wigs, bras, prostheses and other items that can be difficult to find elsewhere and are rarely available under one roof. “We want to offer a place that's safe for women, where they feel welcome and can find products that they might not be able to locate somewhere else,” Jackson says. “These services can help restore the self-confidence of cancer patients and survivors and enhance their quality of life.” In the 25 years since its opening, Hope’s Boutique has expanded to include an online store that offers many of the same products as the physical shop, including cancer awareness ribbons, t-shirts and other gifts. Click here to visit the Hope’s Boutique online store. While the virtual boutique has been a big hit with consumers, the personalized, in-store experience continues to give vital help to patients from Ohio State, as well as women from other areas in need of the services Hope’s employees provide. “We have people that come from different states who set appointments to visit our store so they can do everything right here at one time,” Jackson says. Click here to learn more about breast cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at The Ohio State University.