ABOUT THE FOUNDER

In 2019 at 35 years old I never thought I would hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” It’s interesting how one phone call can change your life forever. The doctors insisted on a double mastectomy which I agreed to with a broken heart. I remember the first time I saw myself in the mirror after the surgery – I was shocked and sickened by my changed appearance. Reconstruction was attempted twice and failed twice. I remember laying on the floor in a fetal position wondering, Am I still beautiful? I didn’t fit the societal standard of beauty any longer. Am I enough? Am I broken beyond repair? Will this define me forever? The physical pain and gut-wrenching emotions were overwhelming. On top of this was the frustration of my clothing not fitting correctly due to the surgeries and treatments I had endured. I was determined to create clothing that was both functional and flattering to meet the needs of the breast cancer community. BAO is my love letter to the breast cancer community.

Christina Ursin is a 39-year-old Iowa native who currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Business Administration. Christina spent several years working at Tulsa Community College and concurrently worked in retail where she developed a love for fashion. Christina’s desire is to pull from her life experiences by combining both her love for fashion and her knowledge of the retail industry with her cancer journey. Through the
strong support of friends, family, and prayer, Christina continues her journey one step at a time.