Breast Cancer Survivor Designs Her Own Beautiful Mastectomy Bra
A Journey of Resilience and Innovation
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when the focus turns to the ongoing fight against one of the most prevalent cancers among women in the United States. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. As the most common cancer among U.S. women—excluding skin cancer—breast cancer has touched the lives of countless individuals.
This October, SI Swimsuit is committed to supporting breast cancer patients by providing resources and sharing the inspiring stories of those who have faced this disease. Their efforts highlight the importance of awareness, advocacy, and support for those affected by breast cancer.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
For Dana Donofree, the day before her 28th birthday marked a life-altering moment. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she found herself at a crossroads. At the peak of her career as a fashion designer and on the verge of marriage, her world shifted dramatically. She underwent a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction, six rounds of chemotherapy, and a year of targeted treatments. This experience led her to reevaluate not just her health, but also her identity and self-expression.
When shopping for a post-surgery bra, Donofree was frustrated by the lack of stylish options available. Most bras were beige, medical-looking, or resembled “grandma bras.” Rather than accept this limitation, she took action. In 2014, she founded AnaOno, a brand dedicated to creating comfortable and stylish intimates for breast cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers.
Building a Brand with Purpose
Donofree’s mission was clear: to help women feel beautiful after breast cancer. “I wanted to feel that same way after breast cancer and I just didn’t really understand why we weren’t,” she says. Her personal experience as both a designer and a patient inspired her to create something different.
Initially, Donofree aimed to develop an underwire-free bra for patients undergoing reconstructive surgery. However, as she connected with other young women facing similar challenges, she realized there was a broader need. “There were just all of these different surgical outcomes and it was very quick to recognize that all surgery outcomes needed something different or something suitable to really give that patient the support that they deserved,” she explains.
Today, AnaOno is a chest-inclusive brand offering bra options for those with zero, one, or two breasts. The brand ensures a seamless shopping experience by allowing customers to browse by chest type or treatment. This intentional design choice is something Donofree is incredibly proud of.
Challenging Norms and Shifting Perceptions
One of the most pivotal moments in Donofree’s career came during New York Fashion Week in 2017. She chose to showcase women with different chest types following breast cancer, from flat closure to implant reconstruction without nipples. While it was a scary decision, it proved to be a powerful statement. “That was just a really big moment that sort of collided two of my worlds, the advocacy world and my fashion world, together,” she says.
Donofree also recalls the initial trepidations she felt about launching her business. In the same year she started AnaOno, a Change.org petition challenging Victoria’s Secret to carry a mastectomy bra went viral. With the publicity, she feared she wouldn’t be able to compete with a large conglomerate. However, today, Victoria’s Secret carries AnaOno mastectomy bras for the last three years, proving her fears wrong.
Other retailers that stock AnaOno include Soma Intimates, ThirdLove, and Meijer. “There’s always more to do and the boulder is continuously being pushed up the hill, but these little moments I think are a big leap for the community as a whole,” Donofree says.
Supporting the Community Year-Round
AnaOno continues to make a difference beyond October. Now through the end of October, the brand will donate 20% of all sales to nonprofit partners including The Previvor, FORCE, and BRCAStrong. Outside of this month, AnaOno donates 10% of sales to nonprofit partners because, as Donofree says, “breast cancer doesn’t just start and stop in the month of October.”
By focusing on inclusivity, comfort, and style, AnaOno is helping women reclaim their confidence and sense of self. Through her journey, Donofree has not only created a successful brand but also become a powerful advocate for breast cancer awareness and support.
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