The whole of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In various parts of the globe, individuals, organizations, communities, schools, hospitals, and corporations are staging a flurry of activities to raise funds to improve public awareness of breast cancer and help fight one of the top killer diseases of women worldwide.
Not surprisingly, brassieres are figuring prominently in initiatives commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year.
Bra chains to fund breast cancer research
At least two entities are holding bra chain drives not just to fund breast cancer studies but also to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest bra chain.
In New Zealand, the Bra Chain campaign by GirlGuiding New Zealand, an organization for young girls, has had an early start, having been launched in May this year. The campaign hopes to gather 200,000 bras by November to break the world record of 166,000-bra chain currently held by Australia. The better brassieres will later be selected and donated to women in Africa, Haiti, the Pacific Islands and other countries.
Also with the same aspirations is Athena’s Home Novelties, an adult novelty company with headquarters in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The Athena's Cup project aims to collect enough bras through pink donation boxes placed in establishments nationwide to beat the current Guinness World Record. To raise money, it seeks a $5 donation with each bra collected in hopes of raising half a million dollars for the breast cancer cause.
Even ordinary people are doing their share. A Canadian woman is hoping to collect 23,000 brassieres to string over downtown Winnipeg to open Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The bras will be taken down on Sunday, October 3, and brought to a shelter. It is estimated that 23,000 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
Bra auctions to raise breast cancer knowledge
Another popular activity for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is bra decorating and auctioning. Fountain Square in Cincinnati, Ohio, will be bedecked with decorated bras for auctioning off to benefit breast cancer studies. The bras, accompanied by other items such as wines, cookbooks, golf tickets, and other goodies for added value, will be displayed at the "Bras for Flair on the Square" charity event on Friday, October 1. Ten of the most popular bras will be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to the Susan G. Komen for a Cure.
In the Santa Clarita Valley, California, the Soroptimist International is holding on October 3 its seventh annual “Bras for a Cause – Ports O’Call,” an auction event of adorned bras inspired by different ports from around the world. Proceeds will go to the Circle of Hope and similar organizations.
Even eBay will see brassiere-related action. Handcrafted and donated art bras are to be sold during the second annual charity auction sponsored by Bling My Bra, a group of American women who have banded together to raise money for breast cancer awareness, education, and research. Auctions start on October 1 and will continue throughout the entire month. Earnings will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was first held in 1985. It is since commemorated every October of the year, when people raise money by spearheading marathons, theme parties, wear-pink days and other events. The money raised is donated to the organizers' chosen breast cancer care or research programs.
References:
September 29, 2010, “Athena's Cup Encourages Local Businesses to Take Part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month By Displaying Pink Bra-Donation Boxes,” News Blaze, Accessed October 1, 2010
September 30, 2010, “Bling My Bra Charity Auctions Launched on eBay for Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” ecommwire.com, Accessed October 1, 2010
Sarah Lamont, September 30, 2010, “Bra Chain Finds Great Community Support,” Stuff, Accessed October 1, 2010
Christopher Glotfelty, September 30, 2010, “Bras for a Cause Takes on Breast Cancer,” KHTS AM 1220, Accessed October 1, 2010
September 30, 2010, “Decorated Bras to Adorn Fountain Square,” WLWT.com, Accessed October 1, 2010
September 28, 2010, “Winnipeg Bra Collection Supports Cancer Cause,” CBC News, Accessed October 1, 2010
Romelda Ascutia - Romelda Ascutia is a consultant, editor, writer, and blogger. Before freelancing, she spent more than 20 years as a full-time editor for a ...
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