About Hope Chest for Breast Cancer

The inspiration for Hope Chest's mission of helping breast cancer patients arose from the personal tragedy of founder Barbara Hensley. Having lost two sisters to breast cancer, Barbara was horrified by the plight of other women who lacked the financial resources to adequately care for themselves, or who had to make difficult decisions between seeking treatment and providing for their families. The Hope Chest eases the burden by assisting with rent, utilities, and transportation, even educating the community about early detection and screening programs. Funding for these programs comes from Orono and St. Paul retail stores, which sell furniture, home decor, and designer clothing.