BATON ROUGE, La. -- In response to the pandemic, Woman’s Hospital is BUSTING out against breast cancer by taking bra art into the community. Woman’s is asking local businesses, organizations and individuals to support mammograms by designing and promoting their own bra-of-art at their business and online.
In previous years, BUST Breast Cancer (BBC) was hosted at L’Auberge Baton Rouge and involved hundreds of guests cheering on a live fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors models on the runway. Local artists were featured and a chef showcase and silent auction rounded out the night. In 2020, however, anyone in the community can become an artist by designing a bra and showing their support.
“Our number one priority is the safety and health of the community, so we’re excited to exchange a fashion show for a community-wide bra artist initiative” says Keila Stovall, Woman’s chief philanthropy officer. “Our 2020 approach encourages more widespread participation and utilizes those newfound artistic skills that many of us have honed during stay at home orders.” So far, Woman’s has 14 bra artists, including one from California.
Expanded BUST Breast Cancer is open to anyone in the community, and there are multiple ways to participate:
- Design a bra-of-art! Woman’s will provide a basic bra for you to decorate and promote on social media to raise donations.
- Become a Pink Partner. Make a financial contribution to Foundation for Woman’s.
- Vote/Donate. Starting September 24 go online to vote for your favorite bra with a donation.
- Share Woman’s BUST Breast Cancer social media posts.
Bust Breast Cancer supports Woman’s mobile mammography program which increases access to mammograms by bringing screenings to churches, workplaces, grocery stores and community centers in surrounding areas. In 2019, the program provided approximately 4,000 screenings in 22 parishes and detected 23 breast cancers.
“Today’s environment makes our mobile mammography services more relevant as our coaches provide women with access to 3D screening technology in an environment with reduced crowd contact,” explains Stovall. “Every dollar raised helps us continue to provide the most advanced breast screening technology for women across Louisiana.”
For more information on Woman’s BUST Breast Cancer event visit www.womans.org/BBC or email melissa.curry@womans.org.