News

A Glance Back, and a Glimpse into the Future

BY Catherine Hill, Vera Bradley Foundation Executive Director

Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 2, 2008) —

Any medical research professional would agree that ten years is a very short time span in which to expect major progress. However, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, co-founders of Vera Bradley, are more familiar with an entrepreneurial business setting where advances are expected and necessary change is achieved in a matter of days. This same entrepreneurial spirit drives the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Since Barbara and Patricia established the Foundation, it has grown from a hopeful idea to a multi-million dollar fundraising organization that has made a significant impact on breast cancer research. The combination of a deep commitment to the cause, extremely high expectations and trusting, meaningful relationships (all of which are trademarks of Vera Bradley endeavors) has contributed to the Foundation’s fantastic growth.

Barbara and Patricia lost a dear friend to breast cancer in 1993, and the disease has affected dozens of friends and family members since then. Barbara shares, “When Mary Sloan died, breast cancer awareness became a major priority for us. Mary’s mother, Mildred Moore, had died from the same disease. I knew and loved Mary’s beautiful daughters like they were my own. We felt we had to do something to break this horrible cycle.”

Patricia remembers the moment she and Barbara sat in her office with then Indiana University President, Miles Brand, and made the first pledge to Indiana University for $1.2 million to fund the Vera Bradley Chair in Oncology ten years ago. Says Patricia, “It took us less than ten minutes to decide to sign the agreement with IU. It was just so obvious that we had to do something!”

Their passion has been contagious. Barbara says she’s humbled by the willingness of colleagues, friends and family to join her and Patricia. “Everybody who is connected to me or to Vera Bradley has gotten involved in some way. Our vendors, my children, even my grandchildren. In my childhood, I wouldn’t have said the word “breast” without giggling; now my grandchildren put up a sign on their lemonade stand that says, “Benefiting the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer!”

The sky is the limit in every endeavor that Barbara and Patricia undertake. Surrounding themselves with friends and business partners who perpetuate that attitude has indeed taken them to spectacular heights. Success is expected not only in the fundraising efforts, but also in the research they support. “We talk a lot about hope, but there is more to it than that,” says Barbara. “It’s the confidence that our dollars are being invested in a team that will make significant improvements in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in our lifetime.”

With what you earn you make a living, with what you give you make a life.’

Patricia smiles when asked how it feels to see how far their commitment has come. “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 by Winston Churchill: ‘With what you earn you make a living, with what you give you make a life.’”

The truth was never more eloquently spoken, as the Foundation is indeed working toward making a life, a breast cancer-free life, for generations to come.

See all News