Breast Cancer Survivors Open Thrift Store to Help Patients

In Covington, Louisiana, volunteers are painting walls pink and hauling donations for a thrift store that could change lives. But this isn't just any secondhand shop.

Allyson Tomkins, a breast cancer survivor, asked herself a crucial question after her own diagnosis. "How do people afford cancer if they don't have money and resources and they don't have good insurance?"

Her answer became The Thrift Store, opening this month on Robinwood Lane. Tomkins underwent a double mastectomy in July 2025, an experience that pushed her to create something meaningful for others facing the same journey.

The Pink Ladies, a group of breast cancer survivors in St. Tammany Parish, are leading the effort. They're transforming a former doggy daycare center into a support hub for cancer patients struggling with medical bills, childcare worries, and the overwhelming uncertainty of diagnosis.

Heather Fair, who had a double mastectomy six years ago, knows that struggle firsthand. "The worst part is the waiting," she said. "You're waiting to get the results. You're waiting to get the surgery."

The store will offer free care baskets filled with lotions for post-surgery scars and gently used clothing for patients who can't afford new wardrobes after treatment. Before opening day, they've already received requests, including one for a 26-year-old patient without health insurance.

Brenda DeMuth, a nurse who spent five years working with breast cancer patients, is helping create what she calls a sanctuary. "Not every woman has a care system built in," said Kathleen Thomas of the St. Tammany Health Foundation. "Walking up to the Pink Ladies, they instantly get a support system."

The Ripple Effect

The Pink Ladies hope to expand beyond breast cancer patients. Tomkins envisions helping families with children in treatment and men facing prostate or lung cancer, creating a community of support for anyone touched by the disease.

Their timing matters more than ever. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among American women, accounting for roughly 30% of all new female cancers each year. But survival rates have climbed to a historic 70%, up from 49% in the mid-1970s, thanks to better detection and treatment.

A Bible will greet visitors at the entrance, though faith isn't required. "We're ready to pray with somebody or just talk or share," Tomkins said. "A lot of us are survivors, so we can walk along you."

The store opens with a message written in pink paint and lived experience: no one should face cancer alone.