Local Businesses Step Up to Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer

Care Needed Long After Treatment
Oct 6, 2010 9:30 PM ET

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) Northampton, MA – October 6, 2010 - Despite the down economy, several local businesses have offered to support Northampton based non-profit, The Breast Form Fund and their 2010 fundraiser, The Show Us Your BRA! Gala & Auction.

The Show Us Your BRA! contest, calendar and auction has been a Northampton mainstay since 1998. Several businesses, including Baystate Health Systems, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Whole Foods Market, The Valley Advocate, and Florence Savings Bank have supported the organization for the entire duration.

This year, several other local businesses have contributed time, funding, and services to augment the Breast Form Fund's upcoming event.  These sponsors include Thomson Financial Management, Marcus Printing Company, Horizon Beverage Group, Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium - Northampton, Arts Unlimited – South Hadley, Northampton Rental Center, Amedeos Restaurant - Springfield, Elegant Affairs - Springfield, The Lift: A Salon - Easthampton, The Dan Kane Singers, Durocher Florist – West Springfield, Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan, Blakesley, George Thomas Lewis & Company, and Roberto’s in Northampton.  Many other businesses will be recognized at www.showusyourbra.org and at the event.

“The outpouring of support, both financial and in-kind, has been overwhelming,” said Kathy Nolan, Event Coordinator, “this is a true testament to the generosity and awareness of this business community even during tough economic times. These are just some of our benefactors with more coming on board everyday. We urge the public to support these businesses whenever possible as they are truly role models for the spirit of giving and community involvement”

The Show Us Your BRA! Gala and Auction will take place on October 30th at The Garden House in Look Park.  Tickets are $75 and may be purchased by visiting www.showusyourbra.org  or at Gazebo, 14 Center Street, Northampton.  All funds from the gala and auction are used to support The Breast Form Fund, which assists underserved women in Massachusetts to obtain breast prostheses and post mastectomy bras.

In addition to the gala and auction, The Breast Form Fund is also selling the Show Us Your BRA! 2011 calendar featuring bra designs by local bratistes as well as celebraty designers.  The calendar also supports the All4One Alliance, a new organization consisting of 4 non-profits (including The Breast Form Fund). They all offer support for cancer survivors. Calendars are available at www.showusyourbra.org, www.all4onealliance.org or at Gazebo.

The Breast Form Fund (BFF) was founded in 1994 to offer financial assistance to uninsured and under-insured women to purchase breast prostheses and post-mastectomy bras after breast cancer surgery. These products help women regain their sense of beauty and self-assurance after surgery and for years to come.

The Breast Form Fund offers assistance to women of all ages and cultural backgrounds who live in Massachusetts. In addition to providing funds for women, The Breast Form Fund's intention is to increase awareness of breast health. For more information, please visit www.thebreastformfund.org.