Second Act grew from a passion of wanting to ease the challenges faced by individuals living with cancer. The founder, Pattie Cagney Sheehan, lost her father, Jack, to pancreatic cancer when he was only 55 years old. Many years later her mother Tess, then age 80, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Pattie watched both her parents struggle to maintain their dignity while never losing their sense of self, or sense of humor. When Tess died two years later Pattie realized the time had come for her second act; helping cancer survivors face the second act of their lives with self-confidence.

She left behind a 25-year career in advertising and marketing to open Second Act, the only fully accredited mastectomy boutique in downtown Chicago that offers wigs and post-surgery bras and prostheses in one location. Currently, Second Act's primary focus is on women who have had cancer surgery and/or are experiencing hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Second Act offers breast forms and bras to help women who have had a mastectomy, more limited breast conserving surgery or reconstruction. Pattie, a Certified Mastectomy Fitter, and all our specially trained mastectomy fitters, can help you achieve your ideal shape and symmetry whether your surgery was recent or many years ago.

But Second Act is not only for cancer survivors. If you are experiencing hair loss or are looking for a wig or hairpiece for any reason, our experienced stylists will help you select the right solution from our extensive inventory of styles and colors.

Located within Flourish Studios®, Second Act offers all of this under one roof, in an environment of support and understanding. In addition to Second Act you will have access to resources such as nutritional education, life coaching, personal and family psychotherapy and an extensive selection of self-help books and items.

Second Act is a special place where individuals facing significant changes in their life due to cancer, can find help and inspiration to look forward to the next act of their lives. Let us help you shape your second act.