A Voice for the Good: Breastie Boxes
This article features Breastie Boxes, a local non-profit that "meets breast cancer patients right where they are in their cancer diagnosis and treatment."
Community
3Rivers is proud to support so many of the non-profit organizations that are committed to making our community a better place to live, work, and play, and we want to help spread the word about the difference they're making in our region. We’ve teamed up with 97.3WMEE to bring you A Voice for the Good, a series in which we feature local organizations on our website in the form of an informative articles as well as on-air segments highlighting the non-profits’ missions.
This article features Breastie Boxes, a local non-profit that "meets breast cancer patients right where they are in their cancer diagnosis and treatment."
We talked with Bree Enustun, Operations Manager at Breastie Boxes, to learn more about the important work they're doing in our region.
How did Breastie Boxes get started? What is the story behind the organization?
Breastie Boxes was founded out of our founder Erica's own personal journey with breast cancer. After being diagnosed in 2021 and going through treatment , surgery and recovery, Erica recognized a gap in patient care. She knew firsthand how overwhelming a diagnosis could be and wanted to create something that would help patients feel more prepared, supported, and comforted throughout their journey.
Using her own experiences, she thoughtfully created a box filled with intentional, practical items to help patients navigate the road ahead. What started as one woman's desire to make a difference, operating out of a closet in her own home, has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit with its own office and warehouse! This October, Breastie Boxes proudly celebrates its fourth anniversary, and it's incredible to see just how far we've come in four short years. From packing boxes in a closet to now sending them to patients around the world, Breastie Boxes has grown beyond anything she could have imagined!
Today, Breastie Boxes offers four different boxes tailored to patients' needs: Diagnosis, Surgical, Treatment, and our newest addition, the Men's Box, which launched in June 2026 to help raise awareness that men can develop breast cancer, too.
At its heart, Breastie Boxes is about turning one person's experience into hope for others and making sure no one facing breast cancer feels alone. Our mission is to share comfort, hope, confidence, and joy, one box at a time!
What is the mission of Breastie Boxes, and how do you put that mission into action?
Our mission at Breastie Boxes is simple but powerful: Sharing comfort, hope, confidence, and joy, one box at a time!
We put that mission into action by providing thoughtfully curated care packages to individuals navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, or treatment. Each box is filled with intentional, practical items designed to bring comfort, help patients feel prepared for what's ahead, and remind them that they are not alone in their journey.
We currently offer four different boxes: Diagnosis, Surgical, Treatment, and our newest Men's Box. Each one is specifically designed with the patient's needs in mind, using real experiences to help us understand what can make a difference during such an overwhelming time.
Through partnerships with hospitals, community organizations, generous donors, and volunteers, we're able to get these boxes into the hands of patients both locally and around the world.
At the end of the day, Breastie Boxes is about so much more than what's inside the box. It's about making someone feel seen, supported, and loved during one of the most challenging times in their life. Even the smallest gesture can make a lasting impact, and that's what we strive to do with every single box we send!
For someone who has never seen a Breastie Box, what is included in one, and how do you decide which items to include?
The foundation of Breastie Boxes is quality above all else. We select items from local businesses, artisans, brands, and then also highly functional items used for healing between surgeries and treatment. We have four types of boxes, diagnosis, surgical, treatment, and men’s boxes. Items included are cozy blankets, breast pillows, drain aprons, glass water bottles, gift cards, jewelry, and so many more things. While many items are necessary and functional, other it's are included to bring comfort, hope, and also a small and tender smile.
Why is it important to provide support to someone throughout the different stages of their breast cancer journey?
A breast cancer journey isn't just one moment or one diagnosis. It's a series of physical, emotional, and mental challenges, and every stage brings something different. From the initial shock of hearing the words "you have cancer," to preparing for surgery, going through treatment, and even navigating life after treatment, the needs of a patient are constantly changing.
That's why we believe it's so important to provide support throughout the entire journey, not just at the beginning. Someone who has just been diagnosed may need reassurance and guidance, while someone preparing for surgery may need practical items to help with recovery. Someone going through treatment may need extra comfort and encouragement on the really difficult days.
One thing we never want people to forget is that support shouldn't stop just because treatment ends. The emotional and physical effects of breast cancer can last long after someone rings that bell or receives their final treatment.
At Breastie Boxes, we want patients to know that they are seen, loved, and supported through every stage. Sometimes it's the smallest gestures that make the biggest difference, and if one of our boxes can bring even a little comfort or a smile during someone's hardest days, then we know we're making an impact!
Could you share a story or two that really shows the impact a Breastie Box has had on someone?
Our very first Breastie Boxes was given out to someone Erica had known through her local church. Not knowing each other, but often seeing each other in passing when the patient was diagnosed, it was a week after our very first Pack the Box event and she would be the first person to ever get a box. We are now friends, and help support women in a local support with fellow breasties.
What does it mean to your organization to see how many people Breastie Boxes has been able to reach?
It's honestly incredible to look back and see how far we've come! What started in our founder Erica's home, in a closet, has grown into an organization with its own office and warehouse, reaching breast cancer patients across the country and even beyond.
As we celebrate our fourth anniversary this October, it's amazing to think about how many lives we've been able to touch in such a short amount of time.
But to us, it's never just about the number of boxes we've sent. Every single box represents a real person navigating a difficult chapter of their life. Behind every box is someone's mom, sister, daughter, wife, friend, or loved one.
Knowing that we've been able to bring even a little comfort, confidence, hope, and joy into those moments is what makes everything we do worthwhile.
What are Pack the Box events, and how can local businesses, organizations, or community members participate?
Pack the Box events are one of our favorite ways to bring people together while making a direct impact!These events give businesses, organizations, and community members the opportunity to sponsor and physically assemble Breastie Boxes that will be delivered to breast cancer patients. Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at our mission, learn more about the purpose of each item, and help create something meaningful for someone navigating breast cancer.
It's a wonderful team-building opportunity, but more importantly, it allows participants to see firsthand how their support is making a difference.
This October alone, we're hosting six Pack the Box events, sponsored by seven incredible organizations, resulting in 725 Breastie Boxes! Some organizations come together to share the cost of sponsoring an event, while others generously cover the entire cost themselves. We love that businesses of all sizes can find ways to get involved and make an impact!
We also offer community Pack the Box events, where individuals can sign up to volunteer and help assemble boxes without having to sponsor an event. While we don't currently have any community events scheduled due to the incredible support from our October sponsors, we anticipate offering more opportunities in the spring.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a Pack the Box event can find more information on our website. We're always excited to welcome new businesses, organizations, and community members who want to be part of our mission!
How important are local businesses and community partnerships to the success of Breastie Boxes?
Our local businesses and community partnerships are absolutely essential to everything we do. We truly wouldn't be where we are today without them.
From financial sponsorships and donated products to volunteer groups and businesses hosting Pack the Box events, there are so many ways our community helps us fulfill our mission.
One of the things we love most about Fort Wayne is how willing people are to rally around a cause they believe in. We've been fortunate to build relationships with businesses and individuals who genuinely care about the people we're serving.
These partnerships are about so much more than donations. They're about creating a network of people who want to make a difference together.
Are there any exciting new developments, programs, or events coming up for Breastie Boxes?
October is an especially exciting month for us because it's both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and our fourth anniversary!
We recently celebrated our annual Pinch of Pink fundraiser, which raised an incredible $321,488.77 to support our mission. We're still overwhelmed by the generosity and excitement surrounding this year's event.
We're also excited to share that Breastie Boxes is continuing to expand! Over the next six months or so, we have plans to expand our reach into Kokomo, Elkhart, Fishers, and Goshen, Indiana, bringing our mission to even more breast cancer patients and communities.
What is the biggest need Breastie Boxes has right now?
As Breastie Boxes continues to grow, so does our need for community involvement and support! We're always looking for new businesses, organizations, and individuals who want to get involved and help us make a difference.
Right now, we're especially looking for businesses and organizations interested in volunteering, sponsoring meals for our incredible volunteers, and helping sponsor some of our upcoming events, including a special event for our Breasties and a volunteer appreciation event.
Another exciting project we're hoping to tackle is getting our Breastie Boxes van pimped out! As we continue to grow and take Breastie Boxes on the road, we'd love to partner with local businesses that could help us outfit our van with a loading ramp, shelving, storage solutions, and other upgrades to make transporting and delivering boxes easier and more efficient.
There are so many ways to support our mission beyond making a monetary donation. Whether it's donating food for a volunteer day, sponsoring an event, providing products or services, helping upgrade our van, or gathering a group of coworkers to volunteer, every contribution makes a difference. We're always open to creative partnerships and finding new ways for our community to get involved!
What volunteer opportunities are available, and how can someone get involved?
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and we're always excited to welcome new faces!
Volunteers play a huge role in keeping Breastie Boxes running. Whether it's helping prepare supplies, assembling boxes at our warehouse, assisting with events, or supporting other behind-the-scenes projects, there's always something to do.
We regularly post volunteer opportunities on our website, making it easy for individuals to find a date and opportunity that works for their schedule.
It's also a great way for friends, families, and coworkers to get involved together. You don't have to have a personal connection to breast cancer to make a meaningful difference in someone's journey.
Besides monetary donations, are there other ways people or local businesses can support Breastie Boxes?
Businesses can sponsor or host Pack the Box events, donate products or services, provide items for our fundraising auctions, or encourage their employees to volunteer.
Individuals can volunteer at our warehouse, purchase Breastie Boxes merchandise, help spread awareness through social media, or simply share our mission with someone who may need our services.
Even something as simple as introducing us to a business that might be interested in partnering can open the door to an incredible opportunity.
We always tell people that you don't have to make a huge donation to make a huge impact. There are so many different ways to be part of what we're doing.
If someone has a friend or family member facing breast cancer, how can they request or send them a Breastie Box?
One of the things we love about Breastie Boxes is that you can send a box to someone you care about, even if you live hundreds of miles away!
We currently offer four different boxes: Diagnosis, Surgical, Treatment, and Men's Boxes. Each is thoughtfully designed to provide comfort, support, and practical items during different stages of the breast cancer journey.
We're also incredibly proud of our growing hospital partnerships! Our boxes are available at local hospitals, including Parkview, Lutheran, Dupont, and Fort Wayne Medical Oncology & Hematology, as well as locations in Warsaw, Indiana; Bryan, Ohio; and Community Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent in Anderson, Indiana. Patients receiving care at these locations should have the opportunity to receive a Breastie Box directly through their healthcare team.
For those who aren't receiving care at one of our partner locations, or for anyone wanting to surprise a friend or family member with a box, we offer a Send a Box option on our website. For an $85 donation, you can have a Breastie Box shipped directly to someone facing breast cancer, no matter where they live!
It's such a meaningful way to say, "I'm thinking of you, I'm here for you, and you're not going through this alone," especially when you might not know exactly what to say or how to help.
Where would you like to see Breastie Boxes a year from now? What about five years from now?
A year from now, we'd love to see Breastie Boxes continuing to grow, building new partnerships, expanding our volunteer opportunities, and reaching more patients than ever before.
Five years from now, our hope is that Breastie Boxes will be an organization that patients and healthcare providers across the country recognize and know they can turn to for support.
We'd love to continue expanding our relationships with hospitals and cancer centers, making our boxes more accessible to patients regardless of where they're receiving treatment.
But no matter how big we grow, we never want to lose the personal touch that makes Breastie Boxes special. Every box should feel just as intentional and meaningful as the very first one Erica put together.
The truth is, our biggest wish would be to never have to give out another Breastie Box again, because that would mean no one else has to face a breast cancer diagnosis. But until that day comes, we'll be here, continuing to share comfort, hope, confidence, and joy, one box at a time.
Our goal has never been to simply send more boxes. It's to make sure that every person facing breast cancer knows they are seen, supported, and never alone in their journey.
Where can people learn more, donate, volunteer, or get involved with Breastie Boxes?
The best place to start is our website! You can learn more about our mission, explore our different Breastie Boxes, find volunteer opportunities, make a donation, and discover ways to partner with us.
We also encourage everyone to follow us on social media, where we share upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, partnerships, and updates about what we're doing in the community.
Whether you're interested in volunteering for a few hours, hosting a Pack the Box event, becoming a sponsor, or simply learning more about our mission, we'd love to connect with you!
Is there anything else you would like people in the Fort Wayne community to know about Breastie Boxes?
We want people to know that Breastie Boxes is so much more than a nonprofit that sends care packages.
Everything we do comes from a place of personal experience, compassion, and a genuine desire to make someone's breast cancer journey a little easier.
Our founder created Breastie Boxes because she recognized a gap in patient care through her own breast cancer experience. Four years later, that same heart and purpose are behind every single box we send.
We're incredibly proud to call Fort Wayne home. What started in a closet has grown into something bigger than we ever could have imagined, and it's been amazing to see people come together to support this mission.
Most importantly, we want people to know that you don't have to wait until breast cancer personally affects your family to make a difference.
Whether you donate, volunteer, partner with us, or help us reach someone who needs a box, you become part of something that truly matters.
Our mission is simple: Sharing comfort, hope, confidence, and joy… one box at a time.
Follow Breastie Boxes on Facebook and visit their website for more information.
Interested in featuring your non-profit on our website and on 97.3WMEE’s A Voice for the Good? Text "VOICE" to 46862! Please note that this may lead you to incur standard text messaging rates or other applicable charges consistent with your wireless carrier/mobile phone plan.