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2008 Vera Bradley Classic™ raises more than $1 million

BY Ana Mantica, Content Editor

(June 3, 2008) — More than 1400 supporters came together over the weekend to have fun and raise funds for breast cancer research at the 15th annual Vera Bradley Classic Golf and Tennis Tournament. This year was the second time in a row the three-day fundraising event hit the $1 million mark, raising a grand total of $1,032,350!

“We met and surpassed all of our greatest expectations,” said Catherine Hill, Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Executive Director. “I’m delighted it all ran smoothly and that everyone had a good time. And, we made a lot of money for breast cancer research.”

Taking a swing at breast cancer

A record number of teams—472 golfers and 180 tennis players—including survivors, family and friends, and employees participated in various golf and tennis events held at Sycamore Hills, Wildwood Racquet Club and Pine Valley Country Club. The tennis tournament included a Master’s Division for players 50 and over and combined rating doubles for the 5.0-5-5 Division, 6.0 Division, 6.5 Division, 7.0 Division and 8.0 Division. The golf tournaments were Florida scrambles and consisted of an 18-hole event with divisions based on lowest team handicap with tee times and two nine-hole events with morning and afternoon shotgun starts.

“We had so much fun!” said Carlye Baenan, 50, who played on the 18-hole course at Sycamore alongside her daughter, mother and aunt. “There was so much energy from everyone. You immediately got a sense that this is bigger than any of us will ever be—this is for a cure. It was a great example for my daughter to see all of these women come together for breast cancer.” (Read more about Baenan's experience.)

It was also the first time “instant-replay” points were allowed in tennis. “This tennis version of a ‘mulligan’ actually raised a few thousand dollars,” added Hill.

With players’ spirits soaring it was hard not to feel excited and inspired. “From every direction you could here a little “Whoo!!” or “Good Job”, “Nice Stroke!” said Liz Money, Vera Bradley Fabric and Trend Coordinator, whose aunt is a breast cancer survivor. “It was encouraging to see all these women getting together to support the Foundation and more importantly to support each other.”

Behind the scenes

Hundreds of people devoted their time and energy to making the weekend a success. About 300 volunteers helped in some way or another with assigned duties from coordinating event details and décor to keeping score and serving drinks and snacks to players. Club employees were scrambling all weekend as well. All three clubs staffed up to accommodate the Classic with Sycamore Hills Golf Club bringing in an extra 30 employees to accommodate dinner guests on Saturday and Monday. “Every year The Classic is a new and different event,” said Hill. “Our committee of dedicated volunteers works very hard to make it special. For example, 20,000 roses were ordered in from South America this year to create a spectacular setting for the celebration dinners. The tables were also set up banquet-style, which was new for us. People really enjoyed these special touches.”

Everyone was excited to be able to be a part of making a difference. “I look forward to participating again next year,” said Jennifer Foley, Vera Bradley Merchandising Communications Coordinator, who volunteered at The Classic for the first time this year. “From the pink ribbon-adorned road leading to the beautiful club house to all of the wonderful little surprise details for those participating and working, it definitely left an amazing impression.”

Even kids got involved setting up a lemonade stand and a snow cone stand to help raise money. One young girl actually sold golf balls she had collected on the course to the players and raised $162.05. “It was a reminder that breast cancer not only affects the victims, but also affects family and friends,” added Hill.

A moving experience

While the event was definitely filled with fun and games and lots of laughter, there were also many peaceful moments that allowed for quiet reflection.

“The moment of silence during the candle ceremony on Monday night gave us the opportunity to remember the loved ones we’ve lost and honor those who have survived. It was a reminder for what we’re all working towards,” noted Susan Westrick, Vera Bradley Marketing Communications Coordinator.

“Beth Goldsmith’s speech at the dinner Monday night was also moving,” said Hill. “She spoke very beautifully about body image. It was remarkable and very memorable.”

A life-sized pink pledge ribbon also allowed women a chance to make a pledge to themselves to their monthly breast self-exams and get their annual mammograms—a reminder of the importance of prevention and raising breast cancer awareness.

A hole in one

All of the money raised goes to breast cancer research at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. Not only did The Classic raise over $1million, auctions on Saturday and Monday evenings that included exciting one-of-a-kind items like an autographed guitar from Sheryl Crow and furniture upholstered in Vera Bradley Pinwheel Pink for breast cancer awareness helped raise more than $30,000, which will also go to benefit the Foundation.

The Foundation has paid more than $4.5 million of the current $6.8 million pledge to Indiana University’s Cancer Center. In 2006 the Foundation’s third pledge to the team at Indiana University brought the total commitment to $10 million to IU. The funds raised at this year’s Classic bring total funds raised toward the pledge to more than $7 million.

“It (the dollars from the Vera Bradley Foundation) allows us to bring in more scientists to our team and then what we find is translated out to the rest of the world. So, it’s a global outreach that’s made by the foundation,” said Dr. Linda Malkas, Vera Bradley Chair in Oncology at the Vera Bradley Center for Breast cancer Research at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Three years ago, Dr. Malkas stood on the stage at the Vera Bradley Classic golf celebration dinner. In the course of her speech she enthusiastically said, “Three years from now, we will have a diagnostic test for breast cancer, using the protein markers we have discovered.” (Read more about Dr. Malkas’ research.)

At the same dinner on Monday night, Dr. Malkas announced that a big breakthrough in cancer diagnosis hit the marketplace. It’s a new stain that sticks to cancer cells in a tissue biopsy slide that allows pathologists to detect cancer cells more accurately. Malkas and her team’s discovery of key proteins in breast cancer cells helped contribute to the development of this breakthrough test. “In our lifetime, cancer is going to lose its bite.”

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