News

Help us Turn the Town Pink

BY Ana Mantica

Fort Wayne, Indiana (May 14, 2009) — If you live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, then you have probably noticed that May is “Turn the Town Pink” time. Throughout the month, the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, in partnership with Lutheran Cancer Center, will be transforming downtown Fort Wayne into a sea of pink ribbons.

Each ribbon represents an individual touched by breast cancer, reminding us that strength and encouragement is found all around us.

The pink ribbon is a visual reminder of what everyone can do to help raise breast cancer awareness. “This is a symbol of beauty, hope, faith and survival,” says Vera Bradley Co-founder Patricia R. Miller.

Each year, for a $5 donation, people are invited to donate a ribbon in honor of a loved one. The money raised goes directly to funding research at the Vera Bradley Center for Breast Cancer Research at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Last year, ribbon sales exceeded $18,000, and an estimated $310,000 has been generated over the past 10 years. In addition, local Marathon service stations, Wendy’s restaurants and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar will be inviting customers to donate $1 during May and giving them an incentive coupon when they do so. These three incredible Turn the Town Pink campaign partners have raised nearly than $150,000 in the past two years alone!

“We’d love to see the whole Fort Wayne community go pink with us,” says Foundation Executive Director Catherine Hill. This year, the campaign will span over three weeks. Vera Bradley employees will be tying ribbons throughout downtown Fort Wayne on May 15, May 22 and May 28. Fort Wayne business will also be doing their part by turning their businesses pink, and even schools are embracing the campaign!

Thursday, May 28, is Turn the Town Pink day. The whole community is invited to wear pink to work, and the Foundation will host a Turn the Town Pink Ceremony and parade at One Summit Square in downtown Fort Wayne at 5:30 pm. The Honorable Mayor Tom Henry will be giving a mayoral proclamation. Afterwards, everyone will walk from One Summit Square to the new Parkview Field for the TinCaps “Pink” baseball game at 7:05 pm, in which all team members will be wearing pink shirts, and a breast cancer survivor will be throwing the first pitch.

You can help support the cause. For as little as a $5 donation, honor a loved one with a pink ribbon, and wear pink on Thursday, May 28. If you’re in the area, join us for the parade at 5:30 pm.

“Hope grows one ribbon at a time,” Miller says. “Join us because together we can change the world.”