Cancer charity Beautiful You has opened a new op shop in Buderim this month to raise funds for local women living with cancer.
The Beautiful You Funky Op Shop is one of three Sunshine Coast stores which has relocated from their previous outlet in Sippy Downs.
Beautiful You has provided financial, practical and emotional support to women with cancer since the program was founded by Debbie Clayton in 2010.
Store Manager Maxine Robinson said the op shops gave Beautiful You the chance to gain exposure and expand their means of raising money.
“The important thing about Beautiful You is we are a local charity,” she said.
“The money comes in from local people, and it actually goes to local women that need the help.”
The op shop sells a variety of pre-loved items donated by the local community and has a café where customers can rest or have a chat.
“We’re very lucky with our donations,” Ms Robinson said.
“We sell everything, from retro to vintage to children’s wear, sportswear.
“You can always find a treasure here.”
Cancer survivor Robyn Woodrow was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2010 and sought help from Beautiful You when it began as monthly meetings of local cancer patients.
Ms Woodrow said the charity offered her a safe and supportive refuge during her time of need.
“I was juggling a young family and a husband who worked away a lot,” she said.
“Beautiful You supported me primarily by providing a refuge from the ongoing onslaught of treatments and side effects.”
Ms Woodrow believes the quiet, hands-on support of Beautiful You is invaluable to the Sunshine Coast.
“The provision of household support, as well as the goal of setting up a retreat for women with cancer, is quite unique,” she said.
“Beautiful You doesn’t shout, but slowly gets on with its objective.”
Cancer Australia estimates that 1510 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019.
Their statistics show that cancer will kill one in six women by the age of 85.
To learn more about Beautiful You and the Funky Op Shops, visit their website.
Header Photo by Artificial Photography on Unsplash