News

Vera Bradley Foundation 2010 Update

BY Catherine Hill, Executive Director

Fort Wayne, IN (August 26, 2010) — The story of spring and summer with the Vera Bradley Foundation has been EVENTS! While many organizations get busy during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, our activities last all year. Our partners and donors understand that breast cancer and the research to combat it are not seasonal. Instead, it's an ongoing effort that's just as important in October as it is in December and June. I just returned from an event in the Chicago area where I got to spend some time with our Team Vera Bradley Foundation professional women's cycling team. On the way, I was on the phone with Mass Mutual Financial Network, another major contributing partner who shares our passion for a cure. These donors and others share our commitment to funding the research that will lead to a cure.

A pink ribbon symbolizing hope along the pathway to this year's Classic.

Individuals are important partners, too. An annual report from the IU Center on Philanthropy entitled Giving USA shares that individual donors (that's you!) remain the largest piece of the pie when it comes to philanthropic contributions. So, if you are ready to put breast cancer in the past, remember that your contribution, at any level, truly does matter. We are at the beginning of our second $10 million pledge to continue this important work. If you are already a contributor, thank you! If you have not yet joined us with a pledge of support, don't wait for October!

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH: Indiana University Simon Cancer Center opened the doors to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories this year. The dynamic team of researchers housed within the new center are collaborating at an unprecedented pace to translate discoveries from the lab to clinical trials and ultimately directly to the patients. The IU Simon Cancer Center was redesignated by the National Cancer Institute and maintains its ranking among the elite cancer centers in the country. In particular, the Breast Cancer Research Program was given an outstanding score by the NCI.

Shining the national spotlight on the breast cancer team, Dr. George Sledge, co-director of the team, serves as president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the nation's largest clinical cancer research organization, guiding cancer treatment advancements through the development of major national research drug trials. “Vera Bradley Foundation funding has allowed us to be a leader in understanding breast cancer and to be at the forefront of critical discoveries,” says Dr. Sledge. “We now know that breast cancer is not a single disease, but many unique diseases. We also know that we are unlikely to find one magic bullet that cures all cases. Instead, we are working to develop an arsenal of successful treatment options and then learn how to determine the best approach for each individual woman.”

FUNDRAISING: In 2008, 2,258 individual and corporate donors made direct contributions to the Foundation. In 2009, this number grew to 2,905. While this tells an exciting story in and of itself, it doesn't fully capture the true number of new partners who have joined us. More and more individuals, businesses and organizations are hosting events to benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation.

With each of these, our network of friends and supporters grows. From a convention in Oregon, to a Broadway revue in Indianapolis and a fashion show in Ohio, to a baseball game in New York, and a professional women's cycling team, thousands of people have heard the important message about the research we support, and are adding the Vera Bradley Foundation to their list of priorities. Finally, social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter have helped to strengthen and spread our circle of supporters, while our beloved Foundation Development Ambassador and breast cancer survivor, Heidi Floyd, continues her inspiring blog, capturing the inspiring stories of survivors and caregivers she meets throughout the country.

VERA BRADLEY'S COMMITMENT: In 2009 Vera Bradley contributed 10% of the net proceeds from our breast cancer awareness color Hope Garden to the Foundation. In addition, the company underwrites Foundation staff salaries and company resources like creative marketing and product development expertise administrative time, and employee volunteer hours are contributed in-kind. In all, Vera Bradley gave more than $1.3 million to the Foundation in 2009. What a remarkable statement about Vera Bradley's genuine commitment to a healthy future for our families, friends and customers.

With gratitude,

Catherine Hill
Executive Director