VERA BRADLEY FOUNDATION FOR BREAST CANCER
ABOUT US
Together, we have donated $40.1 million to support critical research.
The Vera Bradley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit fundraising organization based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Vera Bradley headquarters.
Our team at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine collaborates with researchers and leads clinical trials nationwide.
They are focused on developing and dramatically improving therapies for some of the most difficult-to-treat types of breast cancer, including triple negative breast cancer. Their progress on Monogrammed Medicine is leading to promising discoveries in the areas of diagnosis and personalized treatment. Our researchers are also focused on prevention, investigating how healthy cells become cancerous, information that will help women make better informed decisions about prevention choices.
Foundation events, combined with corporate and individual contributions, are the cornerstone of our fundraising. Donations from the Foundation often help kick-start critical research projects at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research. With our initial support, new research can gain merit and eventually, larger grants. On average, $1 million in donations made by the Foundation have multiplied tenfold.
Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, Vera Bradley co-founders
Mission Statement
The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer raises funds for research to find a cure and to improve the lives of the many affected by this disease.
OUR HISTORY
Fun, creative, beautiful and full of life, Mary Sloan was one of the first Vera Bradley sales representatives and a mother to two daughters and a son. She was a longtime friend to Vera Bradley Co-founders Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia Miller. Mary's vibrant life was cut short by breast cancer in the early 1990s.
In response, in 1993, Barbara and Patricia committed to funding breast cancer research through a portion of Vera Bradley’s profits. They established the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer in 1998 to provide a structure for their efforts and to raise additional funds.
Today, the Foundation’s mission is woven into the fabric of Vera Bradley and is part of the company culture.
And, the best part is that our employees, business partners, customers and the friends who share our purpose are as passionate about finding an end to breast cancer as we are.
Mary Sloan
OUR IMPACT
THE ART OF COMPASSION AND THE SCIENCE OF HOPE
Our researchers at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, collaborate and lead clinical trials with researchers nationwide. They are focused on developing and dramatically improving therapies for some of the most difficult-to-treat types of breast cancer, including triple negative breast cancer. Monogrammed Medicine — precision medicine research funded by Vera Bradley Foundation — is leading to promising discoveries in the areas of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Breast cancer survivors and researchers talk about their hope for the future and the impact of your support.