Breast Cancer Research Donation

Minneapolis Financial Group supports Breast Cancer Research. Maura Steblay of Eden Prairie, who works with the Minneapolis Financial Group, presented a check for $1,000 to Minnesota Breast Cancer Awareness Association president, Ann Harris, on November 30th. This was presented at Underneath it All, an Eden Prairie business which helps women who have had breast cancer. Lorraine Dressel, owner, and Karen Wolf, Office Manager, assisted with the presentation.

Coobie Bras

The Coobie Bra is simply the most amazing bra you'll ever buy! Ultra comfortable, supportive, and inexpensive--it's the perfect combination! The Coobie Bra provides shape and support and can be worn in place of a camisole or tank top. It fits almost every body.

The Coobie Bra is seamless, therefore no hooks or clasps, and the back is smooth. Each bra has removable pads as well.

Stop by our store and try them on. You'll fall in love at how good they feel! And, we have several different colors! They are fun, and they feel good!

Top Women in Finance 2011

LORRAINE DRESSELAND CATHY RIECKENBERG
Underneath it All

Cathy Rieckenberg and Lorraine Dressel went into the durable medical equipment business when bankers were still asking women if their parents would co-sign their loans.

A durable medical equipment conference they attended in 1988 was equally discouraging. "We were the only nurses and the only women, and the bankers told us that we'd probably give the business away," Rieckenberg said.

After 10 years, the business was bringing in about $550,000 a year, and they sold most of it to the Waconia Medical Center. They opted to continue fitting and selling prostheses and mastectomy bras to women who'd had breast surgery, and they renamed the company Underneath it All.

"People think of these prostheses as big, white, ugly bras with batting in them," said Marti Auringer, RN, BSN, the cancer care coordinator at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee. "They have beautiful lingerie. ... And it's very nicely decorated so you feel when you're going in there that you're going into a boutique. You're not going into a clinical setting."

Dressel and Rieckenberg also bring humor into their clients' lives, said Auringer; who has referred patients to them for 12 years. "They get patients to smile and laugh, and it's amazing how they can turn such a negative situation around into a positive situation," Auringer said.

Rieckenberg has passed that attitude to her son,Rob, who lost his right leg above the knee when he was run over by a train in Minneapolis in 2005. He now uses a prosthetic leg, does downhill skiing and volunteers for a foundation called Wiggle Your Toes, which helps amputees regain independence and mobility. He nominated his mother and her business partner for this award.

"It is amazing how life gives you zigzags, but everything works out. You don't know the reason why, but it does," Cathy Rieckenberg said.

The same goes for their clients, Dressel said. "Every woman is in a different point in her journey. It can be extremely emotional for them and for us, too," she said. "It's the best job I've ever had as a nurse because people are so appreciative, and you really feel like you've made a difference in their lives."

-- Nancy Crotti

The Breast Cancer Legal Project

Cancer Legal Line's Breast Cancer Legal Project provides free legal services to low-income breast cancer patients and survivors in Minnesota.

Attorneys will assist clients with legal issues, which include employment rights, access to public benefits, and preparing wills, powers of attorney and health care directives.

Their goal is to make the journey easier by assisting with the legal and financial issues which all too often accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. By receiving help, clients are able to focus their energy on treatment and living life rather than an endless loop of "what-if" and worry.

Cancer Legal Line is a nonprofit organization, and they are the only organization in Minnesota providing pro bono legal assistance to the Minnesota cancer community. They work to provide the right help at the right time to anyone in Minnesota affected by cancer.

They educate, inform, and empower. Contact Cancer Legal Line at 651-472-5599, or 888-231-6942. Their website is www.CancerLegalLine.org.

Bras for a Cause

During the month of October we will be collecting new, or slightly used, bras. Please stop by with your bras!

Underneath it All is involved in an event with My Talk 107.1 Radio and the Ridgedale Shopping Center. They will be collecting bras for the entire month and will hand them off to Underneath it All on October 26th at Ridgedale Center in a 'live' broadcast of the Lori & Julia Show from 3:00pm-6:00pm. We will be donating them to great causes, such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Anna Marie's Alliance for Battered Women, and other non-profit organizations.

Come and support this cause!

Award received for "Top Women in Finance"

Cathy Rieckenberg and Lorraine Dressel, owners of Underneath it All, recently received a Top Women in Finance award by Finance & Commerce, Inc.

The award honors outstanding efforts of women who are making notable contributions to their professions, their communities, and society at-large throughout Minnesota.

Underneath it All is a company dedicated to meeting client needs after breast surgery. Together, registered nurses Cathy and Lorraine have more than 40 years' experience as certified mastectomy fitters.

"This year we honor four CEOs, six partners and shareholders, several presidents and a few business owners," said Steve Jahn, vice president and publisher of Finance & Commerce, Inc. "The honorees represent a very strong showing of some of the top women in the Minnesota business community."

The 50 honorees will receive their awards Thursday, November 10th at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.

"Night Out @ Lone Oak"

"Night Out @ Lone Oak" event - September 22 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Come join us for a night of fun, in-store specials, getting to know the other area businesses,and a grand-prize drawing for those that complete a passport, stamped by each participating business! Underneath it All will have 20% off everything in the store, cash and carry only, for those 4 hours! We will also have 30% to 40% off selected items in the store and a giveaway for participation. See you at Lone Oak!!