Katie Pink & Orange Sleeve and Gauntlet Set

Rachel Troxell was determined to not wear her cancer on her sleeve.

Company: LympheDIVAs

Location: Pittsfield, Mass.

Website: LympheDIVAs

The idea behind LympheDIVAs began when two women with breast cancer, Rachel Troxell and Robin Miller met in the waiting room at a doctor’s office in 2006. They had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Both women subsequently developed Lymphedema as a side effect from their treatment, which caused permanent swelling in their arms. Troxell, who was 35, was advised to wear a compression sleeve on her arm to control the swelling. But the only ones that she found were coarse, industrial-looking sleeves from medical supplies stores.

Troxell’s sense of style immediately rebelled. The product made it look like she was wearing her cancer on her sleeve. And she wasn’t going to wear it.

Troxell and Miller spent six months researching and developing an alternative version. They sought out lighter, breathable fabrics and most importantly, decided to make them stylish.

With funding from her family, Troxell launched LympheDIVAs in 2007. Her compression sleeves, all made in a North Carolina mill, came in colors like mocha, white and fuchsia. It wasn’t long before they created a buzz in the medical community and sales began to take off. Troxell’s health, however, began to deteriorate. And in January 2009, she passed away.

Her younger brother Josh Levin said her family promised to keep her vision and company alive. Today, Levin and his father run LympheDIVAs and offer the sleeve in 45 different patterns, including leopard print and a funky tattoo pattern.

LympheDIVAs has 2,000 direct customers, 1,500 clients from the medical community, and is growing internationally. It is closing in on $1 million in gross sales. “Rachel didn’t have any children,” said Levin. “This was her baby. We are committed to it.”

Read the article on CNN Money

Featherie Sleeve and Gauntlet Set

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Guess Marina Jacket

Sofft Bourges Booties

Steve Madden Bnemesis Satchel

Jones New York Signature Charmeuse Blouse

Leaf Pendant Necklace

• Tranquility Sleeve & Gauntlet
• Carlo Fellini Viridiana Clutch
• Jones New York Mirinesse Patent Pump
• New York &  Company Skirt
• Tinley Road Ruffle Top

• Serpentine Sleeve, Gauntlet or Set
• Nordstrom Two Tone Straw Fedora
• Chikara Edie Top
• Zara Small Shoulder Bag
• Michael by Michael Kors Trousers
• Laconia Wedges by Softspot

Looking for the perfect match to accessorize your Serpentine sleeve? Here are some of our favorite matches.

• Serpentine Sleeve, Gauntlet or Set
• Topshop Snake Print Box Chain Bag
• Snake Cummerbund Belt
• Nine West Perfect Patch French Wallet
• Michael by Michael Kors Top & another fabulous top Michael by Michael Kors
• DKNY Snake-Effect Leather Espadrille Sandals

LympheDIVAs in M-magasin!

“The primary goal of the conference is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and to share the breakthroughs and innovations in the field of Lymphology. This is an exciting opportunity for new, established, and experienced practitioners and investigators to exchange treatment principles and philosophies with other experts to further the field’s pioneering status as the discipline continues to press forward.”- NLN

http://www.lymphnet.org/2010conf/2010conf.htm

“Did you know over 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year? Support these women by helping LBBC raise $200,000 at the 8th Annual Yoga Unites for Living Beyond Breast Cancer on Sunday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.”- LBBC website

http://www.lbbc.org/content/event/8th-annual-yoga-unites-for-living-beyond-breast-cancer.asp?c=calendar&t=participate&sn=calendar