When Toronto entrepreneur Diane Monaco’s six-year-old daughter, Tessa, was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, getting dressed suddenly became one of the hardest parts of the day.
“Overnight, our lives became a whirlwind of hospital stays, chemotherapy treatments and learning to navigate a world we never imagined we’d be part of,” Monaco recalls. “One of the hardest realizations was that something as simple as putting on a clean shirt or getting dressed each day wasn’t easy anymore.”
Tessa’s PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) line made changing clothes uncomfortable and complicated, while the tubing frequently became caught or shifted, triggering stressful overnight alarms. Unable to find clothing designed for children undergoing treatment, Monaco began creating her own solutions.
Those homemade modifications eventually became PICC + COZY, a Canadian adaptive apparel brand designed specifically for people living with PICC lines. Each garment features discreet treatment access along with a secure interior sleeve that helps keep tubing safely in place—making everyday activities more comfortable while preserving dignity.
“Initially, this was never about creating a business,” says Monaco. “It was about making life a little easier for Tessa.” But after nurses, doctors and fellow parents repeatedly asked where they could buy the shirts, she realized her family’s experience wasn’t unique. “We quickly realized this wasn’t just our family’s challenge—it was something so many families were quietly struggling with.”
While adaptive fashion has traditionally focused on people with permanent disabilities, Monaco believes those navigating temporary medical treatments have long been overlooked.
“When you’re going through treatment, so much feels out of your control,” she says. “We wanted patients to be able to get dressed like themselves rather than feeling like a patient every time they needed medical access.”
That philosophy continues to guide every decision the company makes.
“Every decision starts with one question: ‘Would this have helped Tessa?'” Monaco says. “We’re not designing products based on trends—we’re designing solutions based on lived experience.”
For Monaco, PICC + COZY is about much more than clothing. It’s about helping families facing some of life’s hardest moments feel just a little more comfortable, confident and cared for—one thoughtfully designed garment at a time. —Noa Nichol
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