Why We Created Our Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirts

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but behind the pink ribbons are real people, difficult experiences and the support that can make an enormous difference.

In 2026, Poison Arrow Retro is launching our first breast cancer awareness T-shirt collection. The three original designs were created for survivors and for the partners, relatives and friends who walked beside them.

This campaign is personal to us. It is also our way of giving something back to the organisation whose care supported Poison Arrow Co-Owner Angela during her own experience with breast cancer.

Why this campaign is personal to Poison Arrow

Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. During her treatment and recovery, her main McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Karen, provided care and support through an incredibly difficult time.

Angela had wanted to give something back for a long time, but it took a while to find a way that felt genuine and properly connected to Poison Arrow. Creating a collection that combines our distinctive style with messages for survivors and supporters finally felt like the right way to do it.

It has resulted in three original Poison Arrow designs that acknowledge both the women who have experienced breast cancer and the people who stood beside them.

Our first Breast Cancer Awareness Month collection

The 2026 collection includes three original T-shirts:

I Walked Through Hell Women’s T-Shirt: created for breast cancer survivors who carry their strength, scars and story with pride.
I Walked Beside Her Women’s T-Shirt: created for the women who supported somebody they love through cancer.
I Walked Beside Her Men’s T-Shirt: created for the partners, family members, friends and supporters who stayed beside her through the hardest moments.

These are not conventional pink-ribbon shirts. The artwork combines breast cancer awareness imagery with Poison Arrow’s retro, alternative and horror-inspired style. They were designed to feel meaningful while still looking like something our customers would genuinely want to wear.

View the Poison Arrow Breast Cancer Awareness collection

How the October donation works

For every eligible full-price campaign T-shirt ordered from 1 to 31 October 2026, Poison Arrow Retro will donate AU$2 to the McGrath Foundation.

The donation is paid entirely by Poison Arrow Retro. Customers are not charged an additional donation at checkout.

The order must be placed between 1 and 31 October 2026.
The shirt must be one of the eligible campaign designs.
The shirt must be purchased at full price.
Discounted, cancelled and refunded shirts are excluded.

After the campaign finishes, we will reconcile the eligible orders and arrange payment of the donation proceeds to the McGrath Foundation.

What does the McGrath Foundation do?

McGrath Cancer Care Nurses provide free, expert nursing care and support to people experiencing breast cancer and other types of cancer, as well as their families, across Australia.

Their support can include helping patients understand treatment, coordinating care and providing emotional and practical assistance through an overwhelming period.

For Angela, having Karen’s support during her own cancer experience made this cause deeply personal. This collection is our way of helping that care reach more people and families.

You can learn more about the work of the McGrath Foundation on its official website.

Why are the shirts printed to order?

Our Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts are printed to order in Melbourne. Producing them this way allows us to offer the campaign designs in a useful range of sizes without creating large quantities of unsold stock.

Please allow up to 30 days for delivery. Your order may arrive sooner, but we recommend ordering early if you would like your shirt for a particular event or date.

The October donation is based on the date your eligible order is placed, not the date the shirt is delivered. An eligible shirt ordered by 31 October 2026 will still count even if it arrives after October.

Will the campaign return next October?

2026 is the first year of our Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign. We hope to make it a Poison Arrow tradition and continue supporting the cause each October.

The participating designs, campaign dates and donation details may be updated from year to year. Current information will always be published on the campaign collection page.

Breast cancer awareness with a Poison Arrow difference

Poison Arrow has always been about clothing with personality. For this collection, we wanted to create something honest and recognisably ours while respecting what these messages mean to the people wearing them.

Whether you walked through hell yourself or walked beside somebody you love, these shirts were made to acknowledge that experience.

Shop the Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirt collection

Campaign questions

How much will Poison Arrow donate?

Poison Arrow Retro will donate AU$2 to the McGrath Foundation for every eligible full-price campaign T-shirt ordered from 1 to 31 October 2026.

Does the customer pay an extra donation?

No. The AU$2 donation is fully funded by Poison Arrow Retro and does not add anything to the customer’s purchase price.

Which shirts are included?

The eligible products are the campaign’s I Walked Through Hell and I Walked Beside Her T-shirts displayed in the Breast Cancer Awareness collection.

Do discounted shirts count?

No. Only eligible campaign shirts purchased at full price are included. Discounted, cancelled and refunded shirts are excluded.

Does an order placed on 31 October still count?

Yes. Eligibility is determined by the order date. An eligible full-price campaign shirt ordered on 31 October 2026 will count even if it is printed and delivered later.