A SHOP in Dublin is set to open next week which will only stock products made by Irish cancer survivors.
The Aptly named 'Shop That Nearly Wasn't' is set to open its doors at 4 Temple Bar on February 4 in honour of World Cancer Day.
It's not only entirely stocked by cancer survivors but solely staffed by them too - becoming the first shop in the world to do so.
Credit: breakthroughcancerresearch.ieTheir mantra is to "celebrate" cancer survivors by "telling their stories and demonstrating how wonderful it is to have these people still with us".
Spearheaded by Breakthrough Cancer Research, the shop - which will double as an events space - is aiming to raise funds for cancer research.
A whole range of things will be on sale in the store, and through their website, including artwork, books, clothing and jewellery.
Credit: breakthroughcancerresearch.ieIt's due to stay open until February 11, but hopes are high that it might find a permanent residence either online or on the high street if the initiative is successful.
Breakthrough Cancer Research CEO, Orla Dolan, said: "Our mission is to disrupt cancer’s future and save more lives. By showcasing the unique talents of just a few of Ireland’s many cancer survivors, The Shop that Nearly Wasn’t is both a celebration of their achievements and a call to action.
"We can and will ‘make more survivors sooner’ with improved treatments from the cancer research we directly fund," Dolan added.
Well-known Irish cancer survivors such as Michael Flately and Senator David Norris are involved in the project with a number of others contributing to and promoting the shop.
The youngest contributor is 10-year-old Lily Burke from Cork, who has partnered with fellow cancer survivor and children's book illustrator Peter Donnelly to design one of kind tote bags.
"The Shop That Nearly Wasn’t celebrates and highlight the many amazing things that cancer survivors do, make, create, and contribute to society," reads the shop's web page.
Credit: breakthroughcancerresearch.ie"The Shop and initiative not only highlights how research enables cancer patients to be treated more effectively and increases survival rates, but it also showcases all the amazing things that survivors do and the talent and colour they bring to the world simply by being in it.
"We are celebrating survivors, telling their stories and demonstrating how wonderful it is to have these people who are our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues still with us despite a cancer diagnosis."
The shop will also host a number of different workshops while it's open, including craft lessons yoga classes and wellbeing seminars.
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