Tactics x B4BC Outerwear Collection
Introducing the Tactics x Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) Collection
Tactics has long admired B4BC's dedication to preparing young people with education on early detection, promoting healthy, active lifestyles, and providing vital support to breast cancer survivors. I never thought this partnership would get personal, and I never intended this story to be about me. But last year, we built a collection that was a culmination of my experience as a breast cancer survivor and a message I want to share. Here’s my story:
On October 29, 2022 I found a lump on my breast while showering. On November 10, 2022 I was diagnosed with Stage II triple negative breast cancer. I completed 14 rounds of chemotherapy, additional rounds of an immunotherapy, and a mastectomy with reconstruction. On June 25th 2023, I received the news that there was no evidence of cancer left in my body. As I write this today, I am happy to share I am still currently in remission. Before I continue, if you have breasts, please familiarize yourself with how to perform a self-exam. And do them monthly. It just might save your life.
The winter I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I struggled not only with the physical torment of an aggressive chemotherapy plan, but also many bouts of depression. To combat these symptoms, I prioritized getting outdoors on a daily basis. My husband, son and I made it a point to load up the car and head to Mt. Bachelor every single weekend that winter – if only to get out of the house, and some fresh air in our lungs. Once we would get up there – all of my pain would disappear. One run would turn into a few and my pity party would turn into joy. Being in nature with people I love was an unexpected treatment I didn’t know I needed.
During this time, I reached out to Megan Pischke and the amazing team at B4BC. Their mission and the experience I was having that winter were intertwined. I wanted to use my platform here at Tactics to spread their purpose and my story. We agreed to build a product capsule together – and so this entire collection was born.
When Joe (our talented designer) and I started ideating on the project, there were some very specific details we wanted to incorporate into the product. First, our use of deadstock fabric was important – the way we manufacture products and its tie to our health are undoubtedly intertwined. While there is always more to do, this is the biggest step we have made here at Tactics to do things just a little bit better. But finding deadstock outerwear fabric, and in the texture and colors we wanted to design with, proved more challenging. I was adamant that this could not be a bright pink collection, and instead sent Joe a handful of earth tone swatches. Joe was able to work his magic and we color-blocked these two incredible blues across the pants and jacket to build pieces that looked good independently but also formed the perfect kit.
During my treatment, my hair fell out and my bald head was often cold. Most days I opted for a fleece beanie for comfort. To round out the outerwear collection, we wanted to recreate a beanie that anyone could wear – have you worn a fleece beanie before? It’s luscious.
To wrap this up: As we kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month, I implore you all to educate yourself of breast cancer prevention techniques. B4BC continues to be a donation checkout partner should you wish to donate this month, or you can visit their site directly to make a contribution. And lastly, don’t underestimate the benefits of doing something you love, with people you love, in a place you love. As we’ve all likely said before, thank you snowboarding.
-Bryanna Emmerling, Marketing Director at Tactics
VISIT: BOARDING FOR BREAST CANCER
A few acknowledgements for this collection:
Joe Torsey for helping bring this to reality
Scotty Copalman for working on the perfect Tactits logo
Megan Pischke for being an unwavering inspiration and partner at B4BC
