News

Letter From the Executive Director - October

An update from the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.

BY Catherine Hill, Executive Director

Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 17, 2011) — Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, co-founders of Vera Bradley and the Vera Bradley Foundation, are known for their high standards. Not surprisingly, those standards apply to their philanthropy. If you ask me how and why the Foundation has been so successful, I’m the first to tell you it has a lot to do with these two special ladies. The combination of a deep commitment to the cause, boundless ambition, and trusting and meaningful relationships (another fundamental factor of Vera Bradley’s success) have all contributed to the Foundation’s growth.

When it comes to expectations, the sky is the limit in every venture Barb and Pat undertake. Surrounding themselves with friends and business partners who perpetuate that attitude has indeed taken them to spectacular heights. Pat tells the story this way, “I remember we sat down with a group of people to plan the first Vera Bradley Golf Classic. We were discussing our goal and someone said ‘I think we can raise $15,000.’ Barb and I looked at each other and knew we could do much better… and we did. The first Classic raised $64,000!” That was only the beginning. Since then, the Classic remains our primary fundraising event, raising nearly $1 million again this spring.

I’ve heard Barb and Pat both say repeatedly, “You do business with people that you like.” It truly is the Vera Bradley way and we’ve done it with the Foundation too. We feel like we know and love all of you who support this cause with us. The bonds begin with the survivors and other new friends who we meet at events, to all of our donors and extends further to the ultimate recipients of the funds. George Sledge, M.D., and the whole research team at the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research are partners in every way.

Finally, Barb and Pat’s deep commitment to the cause is another source of inspiration. A very good friend lost her battle with breast cancer in 1993, and dozens of friends and family have been affected by the disease since. “This has to stop,” says Pat in no uncertain terms. Says Barb, “When Mary Sloan died, breast cancer became a major priority for us. I know and love Mary’s beautiful daughters like they are my own. We just felt like we had to do something to break this horrible cycle." Barb and Pat’s passion for finding a cure to breast cancer is contagious. The work of the Foundation continues to bring them pride and satisfaction to this day. I asked Pat recently how it feels to see how far their commitment has come. She said this: “It’s a dream come true. Giving is the most satisfying thing you can do. You may never know what that one dollar you give away might achieve. One of my favorite quotes is Churchill: ‘With what you earn you make a living, with what you give you make a life.’”

Sincerely,

Catherine Hill
Executive Director