Brambleton's IIIB's Helps Women Cope with Breast Cancer

At age 43, just one month after getting married, Carolyn Cole-Rodenburg was diagnosed with breast cancer following her first mammogram. The long journey to recovery began with a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.  Two year’s later, while visiting her mother’s gravestone, Cole-Rodenburg noticed the tombstone of a high school friend.

“For some reason, I just knew it was breast cancer,” explained Cole-Rodenburg. That night, she had a dream of pink candles popping out of a white birthday cake. Cole-Rodenburg took the color pink, which is often associated with breast cancer, as a sign that she had to do something to comfort other women going through breast cancer surgery and treatment.

What began as a simple idea to give away copies of a book that Cole-Rodenburg had found helpful during her treatment – Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book – blossomed.  A friend of Cole-Rodenburg’s made baskets and she suggested placing the books in her baskets. Next, Cole-Rodenburg decided to fill the baskets with items she knew women needed post-surgery.

From there, the Bosom Buddy Basket Foundation or IIIB’s (pronounced three-B’s) was born. The mission of the IIIB’s Foundation is to send a basket to every woman in America at the time of diagnosis, free of charge. At the moment, they are focusing on the women of Loudoun County.

Bosom Buddy Baskets are described as a survivor’s guide to breast cancer. The baskets are filled with thoughtful, unique items that women need following breast surgery.

“Everything in the basket is specific for what a breast cancer patient needs following surgery, such as a spray deodorant because she cannot use roll-on deodorant, a back scratcher or a round pillow to prop up her arms,” described Cole-Rodenburg.

As the baskets grew in popularity so did Cole-Rodenburg’s contributions. In addition to Dr. Love’s book, Cole-Rodenburg published her own Bosom Buddy Booklet that contained tips for women recovery from breast surgery.

Since its inception in 2004, the Brambleton-based IIIB’s Foundation has sent more than 1,250 baskets to recovering patients. Baskets are delivered to hospitals so that they await women waking up from surgery. In addition to the care items, each basket contains a handwritten note from another bosom buddy.

“The card explains that these women are not alone in this battle,” said Cole-Rodenburg. “It is such a small thing – a basket – but it means so much at that time." 

This past Valentine’s weekend, the IIIB’s Foundation hosted its first major fundraiser, the Pink Tie Charity Ball. The event, which was held at the Heritage Hunt Golf and County Club in Gainesville, raised over $20,000. More 200 people attended the formal event where a pink tie was the prescribed attire. The evening featured a candlelit dinner, dancing, speakers and a silent auction.

Currently the IIIB’s Foundation operates out of Cole-Rodenburg’s basement but she hopes to expand to a warehouse.

“We want to expand to more women and more hospitals but we also want do expand to other cancers,” she explained.

IIIB’s volunteers deliver Bosom Buddy Baskets to women at the VA Hospital Center, Reston Hospital and the Gainesville Cancer Center. As of press time, the IIIB’s Foundation was working to have baskets delivered to breast cancer patients at the Inova Loudoun Hospital. For individuals interested in sending a basket, the IIIB’s Foundation can ship baskets anywhere in the United States or Canada. 

The IIIB’s Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All volunteers at the foundation donate 100 percent of their time to ensure that all money goes directly to the baskets. People can volunteer or donate by visiting keepthecandleglowing.org or by calling 703-327-9677.