News

Tickled Pink 2008 raises more than $40,000

Party in Pink for a good cause

BY Ana Mantica, Content Editor

Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 13, 2008) — What a night to remember! More than 400 women and 60 volunteers dressed in a rainbow of pink hues joined us for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer’s 5th annual Tickled Pink Girls’ Night Out. This year’s pink soiree helped raise more than $40,000, all of which will benefit breast cancer research.

“It’s the first Friday of National Breast Cancer Awareness month and tonight is about celebrating our friends and our health,” said Catherine Hill, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Vera Bradley hosted the ladies-only event at its state-of-the art operations and distribution center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. All night, ladies enjoyed pink drinks, including pink beer, and a selection of sweet and savory hors d’oeuvres, even a chocolate fountain, donated by 12 local restaurants.

The evening began with Australian pop star Delta Goodrem delighting guests with her sweet songs and inspiring words as they arrived. “You are all angels,” Miss Goodrem said to the crowd. She was especially touched to be a part of Tickled Pink – Miss Goodrem is a cancer survivor and also has family members who have battled breast cancer.

Once inside, guests had the opportunity to mix and mingle in themed areas. In the Design Preview room, for example, the Vera Bradley Product Development Team presented a sneak peek of Vera Bradley’s Spring 2009 collection, including the new breast cancer awareness pattern Hope  Garden, which will be available in January.

“Delta definitely made it special, but the best part for me was seeing people get excited about the new product and having my family there,” said Liz Money, Vera Bradley Product Development Trends Coordinator. “It’s a special night for just the girls.”

While next door, Foundation Ambassador Heidi Floyd gave an update on her most recent travels and spoke about her upcoming exciting developments nationwide. Seven doctors and researchers from the Vera Bradley Center for Breast Cancer Research at Indiana University’s Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis were also on hand to answer questions about the disease.

At the close of the evening, Hill presented a check to the IU doctors for $1.75 million. “This represents another incredible year of fundraising activity,” said Hill, “and Tickled Pink is the perfect time to present our annual gift toward our pledge.” This contribution brings the Vera Bradley Foundation’s total to $8.45 million toward the current $10 million pledge to support research at the IU Simon Cancer Center.

Guests also had the chance to bid on wonderful items, such as a Vera Bradley tote in a Spring 2009 color not yet available in stores and a one of a kind designer side chair upholstered in Pinwheel Pink, in a silent auction and win great door prizes, including Vera Bradley apparel and notebooks. And all ladies went home with a black-and-white silk tote lined in hot pink created exclusively for 2008 Tickled Pink. Breast cancer survivors also received a Pinwheel Pink pen and stationery set donated by Lifeguard Press.

“They thought of everything,” beamed one survivor as she departed. “I’m definitely coming next year.”

The 2009 Tickled Pink Girl’s Night out is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2009. Check back here at verabradley.org for updates.