MaineBusiness.com

Richmond, ME - Jazzy Johnnys(tm) a Division of RoyallWear LLC of Richmond, ME launched it's new line of hospital patientwear at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care as part of Maine Cancer Survivors Day.

Cancer Survivors from around the State modeled the Jazzy Johnnys(tm) Classic Collection in a fashion show emceed by Channel 13 News Anchor Kim Block and organized by Robert Towle of Portland, who coordinates the Miss Maine Pageant. The models included Lucille Hatcher of Portland, Betsy Leland of Orr's Island, Audrey Finlen of Pownal, Joe Villani of Milo, Becky Witham of Biddeford, Claire Owens of Portland, Michelle Henderson of Biddeford, Diane Worthington of Portland and special guests, Dr. Tom Keating, and Dr. McGarr of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. Governor and Mrs. Baldacci attended event and later praised breast cancer survivor Patricia Royall for her inspiration.

“Patricia’s story may be unusual – creating a product based on her fight with cancer – but her spirit as a survivor and her eagerness to help others who are fighting cancer is an inspiration,” said the Governor.

Royall, who was inspired to create the Jazzy Johnnys™ line of patient wear while undergoing treatment for her breast cancer doesn’t believe that “one size fits all.” Referring to the standard hospital johnny she was given to wear during her daily radiation treatments, she says: “It’s serious enough to endure the rigors of cancer and the side effects of the procedures and treatments without the additional dose of worrying whether your backside is exposed. I remember one day in particular, while waiting for a radiation treatment, I observed a frail elderly man who was trying so hard to keep the oversized pants he’d been given from falling off. At that moment I thought ‘how can this possibly be of help to anyone in such a vulnerable state?’ Troubled by this sight, and having struggled myself with either the fit or the feel of these garments, I was finally compelled to do something, and the idea of “Jazzy Johnnys” was born.”

Royall enlisted the advice of health care professionals and a fashion design team to create three individual collections of patient wear for men and women: the Classic Collection, the Designer Collection, and the Full and Fabulous Collection. This patient wear, she exclaims, will provide “Dignity With Style” - the company’s slogan.

The first of the three to be launched, the Classic Collection, is geared toward hospital long-term-care use and is made from the eco-friendly fiber TENCEL® that has anti-bacterial and anti-wicking properties to keep patients cool when it is warm and warm when it is cool. The company discovered this fabric at a textile show in New York City, and as a result, has become marketing partners with its producer, Lenzing Fibers of Austria, who manufacturers TENCEL® from their sustainably managed forests.

Jazzy Johnnys™ will be marketed to cancer treatment centers, long-term care facilities, hospital and cancer boutiques, as well as health care facilities and clinic’s where patients must remain in a garment for repeated or long periods of time. The company's website will allow individual consumers and wholesale accounts to order directly on-line. In 2010, Jazzy Johnnys™ parent company RoyallWear™ plans to introduce “Jazzy Juniors™” a new line of hospital wear for children.

Royall also developed the B.Y.O.J. ™ "Bring Your Own Johnny" program for cancer treatment centers and long term care facilities to help reduce the spiraling costs associated with handling, laundering, distributing, and storing the current hospital johnny. Through RoyallWear’s B.Y.O.J.™ program, patients receive their own hospital garment at the onset of treatment and are then responsible for cleaning the garment and bringing it to each treatment session. Royall says: “It’s a win-win situation for both the health-care industry and the patient. While hospitals and treatment centers will significantly reduce their laundering costs, patients will have their own stylish garment of choice which has not been worn by dozens of other people. In addition, healthcare professionals will have the accessibility to meet the patients’ individual therapy needs.”
Jazzy Johnnys™ is dedicated to creating hospital patient wear that provides comfort, dignity and style for men and women with cancer, for post operative patients, and for those with long-term care needs.

For more information visit Jazzy Johnnys(tm) website at www.jazzyjohnnys.com or call 207-841-8889.
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