Boutique caters to cancer survivors and friends

BOARDMAN — AwwwMazing Place, a unique boutique for cancer survivors and friends, was created by a cancer survivor and a friend.

The nonprofit store is located just inside the east entrance to Southern Park Mall next to Buffalo Wild Wings.

“I think we’ll be able to do some good for some kids,” said artist Chris Yambar, co-founder of the store with Brenda M. Rider, breast cancer survivor, poet and musician.

“Through my cancer treatment and continued survival, I have used my poetry and songwriting to help myself and others cope,” said Rider, who was diagnosed with breast cancer about 10 years ago.

Later, with the help of some friends, she founded the A Way With Words Foundation, an organization for people who are survivors, relatives, or anyone who has been touched by cancer. The primary goals are to provide avenues of expression for cancer survivors, especially after treatment; to generate resources for healing and surviving; to increase awareness of cancer in children; and to raise money for cancer research and for cancer survivors, she said.

Read the full story in Monday’s Vindicator and on vindy.com