Our story
In late 2022, Season For Squeezin founder Julie Devaney Hogan discovered a small, barbell-shaped growth in her breast while putting on her bathing suit.
She figured she’d get it looked at eventually, but her close friend—who happens to be a nurse—urged Julie to get it looked at immediately. That advice likely saved Julie’s life. (Thanks, Katie!)
A few short weeks later, Julie, mother of three and wife of ten years to the love of her life, Dave, was diagnosed with HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma Stage 3 breast cancer—and began treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
In the months that followed, Julie took a leave of absence from her job as a tech executive and has documented her experiences—including how she told her kids about her cancer diagnosis and how she communicated the help she needed (and didn’t need) from friends and family—in a series of essays for Today.com.
What has stuck with Julie throughout this journey is just how serendipitous it was that she discovered that tiny, barbell-shaped tumor (which she nicknamed “Barb”) in the first place.
Really, it’s Julie’s love of swimming and the ocean—and the constant changing in and out of bathing suits—that led to her discovering Barb.
And that got Julie thinking…
While having a month (October) dedicated to breast cancer awareness is certainly a positive, what women really need is help taking action against breast cancer.
And instead of waiting until October, why not encourage women to check themselves when it’s already convenient—during the summer, when they’re changing in and out of bathing suits?
That’s how SeasonforSqueezin was born.
Learn more about Julie’s journey
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"Announcing the early retirement of … my breasts"
After many years of service, I’m announcing the early retirement of a special part of me, via a double mastectomy. [Read the full essay at Today.com]
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"How I told my kids I have cancer"
It doesn’t have to be the worst conversation of your life. [Read the full essay at Today.com]
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"When I got cancer, everyone brought food. I finally told them what I really wanted"
A tip from someone who’s been there: You don’t have to eat the chicken wings. [Read the full essay at Today.com]
