Bethany Heinrich, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the fashion-oriented cancer charity Fabulous & Fighting, has always had an entrepreneurial and creative spirit. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Juilliard, she has had the opportunity to work on and off-Broadway, in media at WNET, associate produce an award-winning documentary, and is now spearheading the creation of a charity whose mission is collaborating with the fashion industry to provide donated new clothing and accessories to cancer patients. The charity focuses on empowering patients with the beauty and self-confidence to maintain a positive outlook during treatment, as well as alleviating some of the financial burden associated with the disease.

Bethany came together with co-founders Susan Goodwillie and Erick Herrscher, good friends who all met while working at Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2008, exactly one year ago this month to start the organization that is already generating a strong amount of buzz in the fashion world.

The charity will gather donated products from fashion houses and distribute the items at least twice a year to patients in need at partnering NYC hospitals. Temporary pop-up stores will be staffed by volunteers who will help patients to choose comfortable yet stylish items.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Bethany Heinrich to discuss the process of building a nonprofit and to learn more about its official launch, sponsored by Dolce Vita, on September 3rd in Soho to help kickoff Fashion Week.

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