Giving & Community

The Giv Shoppe is one part of a broad community of care we’re building. Together, we support survivors, previvors and caregivers.

GIVING BACK

Why We Do It

In 2019, Lauren Lopriore started Liv & Let- Thriving Through Breast Cancer to offer the resources she needed during her own fight with cancer and then as a support for friends who had been diagnosed with cancer. Her blog became an information hub of events, information and product recommendations for those who have recently been diagnosed, those going through treatment, those who are learning about their family history and interested in prevention as well as for caregivers. In sharing her story as a young adult cancer survivor, Lauren is creating space and empowering others impacted by breast cancer including previvors, survivors and caregivers.

As a part of that ongoing mission and effort, a percentage of proceeds from the Giv Shoppe will be donated to charities empowering the breast cancer, cancer and mental health communities through research, education and care.

Survivors, Thrivers & Caregivers, sign up for the Liv & Let newsletter and receive a special code to always use when shopping with Giv Shoppe!

Monthly Donated Crates

Beyond our yearly giving initiative, we look for opportunities to bring love, support and delight to one individual a month by sending a donated care kit to a nominated member or partner of the Liv & Let community.

Nominate Someone for a Monthly Crate

Have a previvor, survivor or caregiver you’d like to see receive a personalized gift of care? Tell us a little about them in the form, and they’ll be in consideration for our monthly donated crate.

*Please nominate one person per month

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT

Cynthia Besteman | Violets Are Blue

Violets Are Blue was created because of a personal need for skincare that is natural and safe for the body as well as the environment. Born in Seattle, Cynthia first landed in New York City determined to to find her way as an actress, after completing a major in theater at the University of Oregon. She worked on Broadway for 10yrs before checking out the real estate scene. After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2011, one of her first actions was to toss out all beauty products containing unsafe chemicals and synthetic fragrances, leaving her medicine cabinet bare. She was shocked by the mislabeling of many skincare and beauty products that were classified as "natural" while containing parabens, sulfates, and other chemicals known known to work as endocrine disruptors linked to cancer and reproductive concerns.

She dove into the world of natural skincare, learning everything she could about essential oils, and other natural ingredients that work effectively to nourish, cleanse, and hydrate without causing harm.
Cynthia learned that there are key botanicals and herbs that can alleviate and treat problems for any skin type or age. She drew upon this, along with her desire to give back, and established Violets Are Blue in 2015. She used her knowledge and passion for naturally-derived skincare ingredients to formulate a consciously-produced line of products, each one a true labor of love. In addition to developing new products for the Signature and Beloved lines, Cynthia provides patients at the Mt. Sinai Dubin Breast Center in NYC with a gifted package of Beloved products upon their first day of chemotherapy. 

SHOP Violets are blue

In the Press

Read about Lauren’s experience with diagnosis, treatment and the unexpected challenges of survivorship on the Dr. Susan Love Foundation blog.

Read more

Lauren shared her journey and plans for the future with Jenny & Sheena, the hosts of the podcast And Then We Had Kids, in their Breast Cancer Awareness Month episode.

Listen

Learn how a conversation in a forest with her husband inspired Lauren in the creation of the Giv Shoppe in this feature in Cancer Wellness Magazine.

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Read Lauren's interview with CanvasRebel focused on inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives.

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Lauren shared her story, starting from the unsettling discovery of a lump during a routine yoga practice to her diagnosis of stage 3, triple-positive breast cancer at the young age of 29.

Listen

Katie Cassman, Your Guide for all things on the North Shore gave a shout out to 6 Mom-Owned Businesses on the NS in her April 26th newsletter. Check out who was on the list!

STAY CONECTED

Join the Giv Community

Here’s to survivors, previvors and caregivers.
See how we support, celebrate and champion those impacted by cancer.