Saving Lives

One Bra at a Time

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Local Event Honors & Supports Those Battling Breast Cancer

Picture a runway encased in bright lights, and strutting towards you, dressed in a uniquely personalized bra, is your local judge, chief of police or city councilman. Each bra, crafted by local businesses, represents an individual who won or lost a fight against breast cancer. These cancer warrior’s stories are told before the bra is modeled and sold during an auction-house bidding frenzy - with 100% of the proceeds going toward the benefactor.

Bras for a Cause, now celebrating its tenth annual fundraising event on October 26 at the Saddleback Saloon Bar & Grill in Sealy, has been an incredible ally supporting those who battle breast cancer. The organization,  chaired and started by Karen Lopez, is known for its cre ativity in raising awareness and financial aid, with proceeds  disbursed through its newly founded partnership with The  Blessing Box Project. 

Through The Blessing Box Project, women battling breast  cancer can receive financial help fundraised at the Bras for a  Cause event. This decidedly un-stuffy event is held amidst the  rustic décor at the Saddleback Saloon, a registered historic  landmark built in 1886. 

MALE MODEL IN BRA FOR AUCTION.  CREDIT: THE SEALY NEWS
 

WHAT HAPPENS AT A  
BRAS FOR A CAUSE EVENT? 
Although the invited gentlemen models perform with exceptional  dance moves and sig nature walks, the bras  steal the show. Some are  fashioned with feathers,  American flags, sequins,  florals, and even LED  lights! Lopez is thankful  for the connections she  has formed within the  local community and  harnesses them to secure  the models, without  whom there would be no  show. While the com munity involvement by  individuals is inspiring,  local businesses rise to the  challenge of creating a  bid-worthy, eye-catching bra for this event. In total, around 20 bras are submitted for the auction this year.  

MALE MODEL WITH A LIGHT-UP BRA.  CREDIT: THE SEALY NEWS  

 

MASTECTOMY PILLOW. CREDIT: THE BLESSING BOX PROJECT

THE HISTORY OF THIS EVENT 
Tom Mendenhall is the local business owner of Saddle back Saloon– and former event bra model who still has the  bra he purchased ten years ago from the very first show. Lo pez refers to Mendenhall as her “big brother” and is thankful  for his constant support to the community and for hosting the  event at Saddleback Saloon. In 2023, with the help of Men denhall and local leaders, the organization raised $22,000  during the 2-hour event, a significant jump from their first  year when they collected $2,500. 

Lopez started the Bras for Cause organization when her  mother-in-law was battling cancer. Although her mother-in-law lost her life before she could attend the first Bras for  Cause event, Lopez knows she would be proud. To show  their support, her family involves themselves every step of  the way; her daughters work on the logistics and décor,  while her son-in-law takes part in the show as a bra model.  

MALE MODEL IN PINK WIG WITH BRA. CREDIT: THE SEALY NEWS 
 

SADDLEBACK SALOON. CREDIT: SADDLEBACK SALOON.

“I do this to help support those going through cancer,”  says Lopez. “I just want to make their day a little better.”

Lopez faced her personal battle against cervical cancer.  For months, she felt stopped in her tracks. But fighting  is not something her family shies away from. Her moth er survived uterine cancer, but her father – who fought  against brain and lung cancer did not. Her brother lost  his life to leukemia and lymphoma. What can you say  about a person who has lost so much but gets up wanting  to help others brave the fight? Selfless, for sure, but also  strong-hearted. Many people lose hope when they have  suffered so much loss, but Lopez seems to have been awoken by it. Awoken, and driven.  

THE PARTNERSHIP THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING  
When it came to selecting a partner for the Bras for a  Cause event, The Blessing Box Project was an easy deci sion for Lopez. Not only does this charitable organization disburse financial aid to breast cancer patients, but they also provide a box – hence the name – of goodies to be enjoyed. Whether it be a fluffy blanket, a mastectomy pillow, a drain shirt or warm socks, this little box of comfort is included with monetary support. It’s no wonder Lopez hopes to have Dawn Compton, the director of The Blessing Box Project, come speak for the second year at this October’s Bras for a Cause event.

Compton faced her battle against breast cancer, which started in 2018. Enduring chemo and radiation treatments, a double mastectomy, losing her hair and lymph node removals, Compton is relieved the worst is behind her. Still, the road to continual recovery isn’t a cakewalk. She is on her second set of hormone blockers – but her spirit is still fully intact, even on the “yucky days”. When she made her first box for a friend enduring a similar breast cancer battle, Compton realized there was serious comfort in the gift box.

Turns out, her instincts were right. She’s received 19,000 requests for boxes, 17,000 of which she has already shipped out with the help of a nationwide sewing circle.

Meeting two to three weekends a month, this powerhouse of sewing women makes sure to honor every request. The reassurance in a box remains free for the recipients and a way for community involvement. Compton welcomes volunteers or contributions that would be allocated to her mission of bringing joy to other survivors’ lives.

It is because Compton’s journey and mission align perfectly with Lopez’s vision for the Bras for a Cause event that Lopez extended the invitation to join forces. Compton gratefully accepted her place in making a continual impact on the fight against breast cancer.

Still, with all the work that planning this event entails, Lopez wishes she could do more, though she is truly thankful for the time and effort her volunteers put in, more volunteers are welcome. Larger Bras for a Cause events, like the one in New Braunfels, host a silent auction before the live runway auction; something Lopez said she would like to incorporate in the future with more volunteers securing donation items. So, if you’re able to devote time or want to donate goods or services for future auctions, Lopez would love to hear from you.

The community is invited to attend this October’s event, where admission is free, but table reservations are highly recommended – which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Among the night’s attendees, you will find powerful women who have either embarked or docked on the journey against breast cancer. So, make a ladies’ night out of this event, where your spouse can’t argue that gawking at men isn’t for an amazing cause – you will be saving lives, one bra at a time.