The much-beloved and very successful Braz for the Cause breast-cancer fundraiser in Stratford has come to an end after a two-year pandemic pause, organizers say.
Organizers of the annual Braz for the Cause breast-cancer fundraiser, which raised an estimated $120,000 over 11 years to support breast-cancer patients in Huron and Perth counties, have decided not to bring the event back after a two-year pandemic pause.
Hosted at either the Army Navy and Airforce Hall or the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford over the years, Braz for the Cause was inspired by a similar event in London and was held on the Friday of Mother’s Day weekend from 2009 to 2019.
“Women would buy tickets to come … and they would have a theme and they would decorate their bras to represent that theme,” said Deb Moon, one of the founding members of the Braz for the Cause organizing committee. “So the one year was Olympics and a (group) came as a swimming team and they walked in decorated with the Canadian flag. It was amazing what some of these women came up with.
” … There would be a supper, there would be entertainment that varied from year to year, a silent auction. There was ‘the Breast is yet to come,’ (a raffle) where we would sell tickets and measure them around their bras, and their tickets they could put in bags in front of certain prizes. And at the end, they always wanted to stay longer, they wanted something more, so for the last year we had the dance with a local band that donated their time.”
Starting with roughly 180 women in 2009, the event quickly grew to over 400 attendees. All of the money raised at these events stayed in Huron-Perth to support breast-cancer patients. A large portion went to the London Health Sciences Center patient-assistance program, specifically for patients diagnosed or receiving treatment in Stratford to help them pay for child care, anti-pain and nausea medicine not covered by insurance, taxi fares, parking, wigs, prostheses and bras, and palliative care.
Some of the money raised went to local cancer-support programs like the Knox Church Wig Program and Wellspring Stratford. Funds also went toward purchasing post-op comfort pillows — a special pillow that goes under the arm to support the operative side — which were given to those going through breast surgery at Stratford General Hospital, along with a bag of other goodies and information about local support programs prepared by local sorority, Beta Sigma Phi.
And while the event was successful in raising money to support breast-cancer patients year after year, its absence over the past two years because of pandemic gathering restrictions has made it too difficult for organizers to continue.
“When you lose momentum after being off for two or three years, it’s hard to pick up again,” Moon said. “People haven’t heard of us. I know the women who have supported us over the years are disappointed, but it was hard to maintain a committee size of 12 to 14 women to put this on. So we thought this was kind of a way to go out gracefully on a high note.
“And now there’s Paint the Town Pink. There’s always new fundraisers that come along and we thought we’d given it a good run.
And while the fundraiser has come to an end, Moon said there is still some money left in both the London Health Sciences Center patient-assistance program and the organizing committee’s local bank account that will continue to ensure breast-cancer patients are provided with post- op comfort pillows and other other supports — at least until that money runs out.
“It’s sad. We were passionate about our cause and it was well-received,” Moon said. ” … Thanks to all of you who attended our great event over the years.
“We remember all those who have faced the diagnosis of breast cancer and/or supported a loved one through their journey.”