Entrepreneur Focuses On Women With Breast Cancer
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- For many things in life, we can find a catalogue or online source for what we need.
But when a woman is informed she has breast cancer, where does she seek help?
She can get medical help from doctors and other professionals; solace from friends and family; perhaps spiritual support within herself or clergy.
But what about the daily things most women use in their lives, from makeup and clothing to special items such as wigs?
A local entrepreneur, who has a distinguished background in creating and managing successful ventures, is working to change that.
Paula Jagemann has launched Someone With.
"I named it that because we say we know 'someone with' cancer or another medical problem," Jagemann said.
She will open the offices of Someone With on the fourth floor at 44 N. Market St.
Jagemann has spent months setting up the company. She has not only contacted suppliers of products designed for cancer victims but had them independently tested and rated. She has talked with specialists in medical fields about services and products.
"There was nothing out there," Jagemann said. "If you went to a doctor's office there wasn't much information other than medical. This will have makeup, wigs and other products that are tested and safe for women with cancer."
Jagemann has also purchased website addresses for future "Someone With" websites, such as prostate cancer, arthritis, diabetes, lupus and heart disease.
"More than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year," Jagemann said. "One in eight women will face it during their lifetime."
The logo for Someone With at first looks like a flower, but closer inspection shows the silhouettes of eight women supporting each other.
Besides products and services, the website will offer books, free services and a newsletter.
"I also have a patent-pending registry," Jagemann said. "It works like a bridal registry. It could have things listed the woman needs in her daily life, not just flowers that will die or something not needed."
The website will also help cancer victims know what they need.
"A first-time buyer doesn't know exactly what they need or where to get it," Jagemann said.
Jagemann's professional background includes running investor relations for UUNET, before founding Online Office Supplies, which became a multimillion-dollar business. She sold Online Office Supplies to form eCommerce Industries, later selling that as well.
Jagemann was a founder of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. and was appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley to serve on the Maryland Technical Economic and Development Corp., which assists high-tech firms in the state.
She serves on the board of Frederick Memorial Hospital and Health Systems and board of associates for Hood College.
Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
