Health and Healing Boutique Opens in Hanover for Women Living with Cancer Officials at Hanover Hospital are pleased to announce the opening of "LifeChanges,” a health and healing boutique dedicated to serving women in the Greater Hanover area who are living with a cancer diagnosis. Located in the Hanover Community Health & Education Center, 400 York Street, Hanover, the shop will open October 1st, 2008. LifeChanges is owned and operated by Diana Klunk, a breast cancer survivor, and the spouse of a colorectal cancer survivor. Following her surgery in 2006, Diana found it difficult, if not impossible, to find the kinds of products in Hanover that would have offered more ease and comfort during her recovery. According to Klunk, her diagnosis and resulting treatment course was, in a sense, an answer to prayer. “At the time, working in accounting, I was frustrated in my job. I missed being in a service-related field. I needed to feel good about my accomplishments at the end of the day.” When she was told that she had cancer, there was no “why me?” She accepted it. Then the “why” came to her soon afterward, when she realized she could help others with cancer to feel good about themselves again. “I know why this happened to me. It’s what I’m supposed to do,” she said. Over the weeks and months following her bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive procedure, key individuals began to come into her life, each helping to clarify the purpose of her calling. She became acquainted with Jane Rice, founder of the local Hanover Area Breast Cancer Support Group, and Dr. Beth DuPree of Diversified Specialties Institute (DSI) in Bensalem, PA. Then, while attending a fundraiser for the Healing Consciousness Foundation, she met the owners of a hospital-based shop for women with breast cancer at DSI, which was the inspiration for her LifeChanges boutique. As part of her services, Diana will respond to physician referrals and meet with patients prior to their hospitalization, so each woman facing cancer surgery will have the knowledge and reassurance of the products she will need, and be aware of what insurance will cover. She hopes this will help decrease some of the stress and anxiety that is inevitable when facing a life-changing surgery. The LifeChanges boutique will stock post-mastectomy supplies such as post-surgical garments, bras, breast forms and prosthetics, scarves, hats and wigs, lymphodema sleeves, and skin care products formulated for sensitive skin issues resulting from treatment. Resource materials such as books, videos and DVDs will be available to borrow or for purchase, in addition to handcrafted jewelry and gift items made by local artisans, created to bring comfort and beauty into a cancer survivor’s life. Diana will eventually incorporate referrals for alternative healing methods intended to be complementary to traditional treatment methods, including Reiki, massage, yoga, acupuncture, meditation and nutritional counseling. A lifelong Hanover resident, a team captain for the Hanover Area Relay for Life, and now co-facilitator of the Hanover Area Breast Cancer Support Group, Diana has served on various committees for other local fundraising events. She is confident about succeeding in her new business, because of her strong background in retail sales, small business management, and accounting. “I am dedicating my professional future to help other women find their way through the life changes they will experience in their own personal journey with cancer.” For more information call 633-1111 or fax 633-9111. Click Here to watch a video on the new Life Changes Boutique.