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The Vera Bradley "Hope Garden" Breast Cancer Pattern. 10% of all proceeds from the sales of this pattern go to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research
The "Lisa B" style has a special story...
The Story Behind the Lisa B Handbag
Fort Wayne, Indiana (March 23, 2009) — At Vera Bradley, naming our bags is an integral part of the design process. We find inspiration in many places, including family and friends, just as we did with the new Lisa B.
We receive many letters, but one from Kathie B about her niece, Lisa B, really touched our hearts. Following the birth of her daughter, Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. She bravely fought the disease, regaining her health and giving birth to her second healthy child. But soon after, Lisa’s cancer returned. Sadly, she lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 40.
Kathie’s poignant letter included stories of Lisa’s long days of cancer treatments that often ended with a stop by the hospital gift shop for some Vera Bradley to brighten her day. “Visiting the hospital gift shop for Vera Bradley items after chemotherapy appointments is what kept Lisa going,” says Kathie.
Because Vera Bradley brought her so much happiness, we thought naming a bag in Lisa’s honor would make a fitting tribute. Our design team took the letter along with photos of Lisa and designed a bag specifically in her honor. The team learned what kind of straps she liked, what kind of design she preferred and what details she enjoyed, and created the Lisa B bag, which has become a new fan favorite. Lisa had a collection of Vera Bradley bags, including her favorites the Vera, the Tote and the On the Go. “The Lisa B captures Lisa perfectly,” says Julie B, Lisa’s mother. “It has all the features she loved – the one strap, pockets on the inside and out – and hangs nicely. In fact one of her girlfriends said the front zipper pockets at the angle remind her of Lisa who used to always stick her hands in her pockets when she was thinking.”
The Lisa B not only honors Lisa’s extraordinary life, but also recognizes countless women around the world who are fighting breast cancer. “It’s so special that Vera Bradley and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is honoring these women and their families and doing so much to try to find a cure,” says Julie.
“Lisa was just so grateful for everything,” says Kathie. “She’s the one who got everyone involved with Vera Bradley. The first bag I ever bought was the Betsy in the New Hope pattern. It meant so much to her that that’s the one I picked, as it was a breast cancer pattern. Now I carry the Lisa B in Hope Garden, Java Blue and Yellowbird.”
This year, Lisa’s mom, aunt, sisters and cousins will be volunteering at the Vera Bradley Classic Women’s Golf and Tennis Tournament. “We’re so excited to be coming and helping out in any way we can,” says Julie. “Lisa fought the cancer as best she could,” she adds. “The cancer got the best of her, she’s not the first and won’t be the last. But I know she’s thrilled now. She’s dancing on clouds about this all and is probably already designing the next bag with Vera Bradley herself.”
Our First Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event was a great success!
Thanks to all who attended and supported it!
Pink refreshments!
We served pink refreshments, including cookies and treats...
and pink "watermelon" flavored Italian soda, donated by The Perk & Pantry Cafe, also located right here in Dutch Neck Village
Josie keeps the refreshments coming!
So many women came wearing pink!There were free Yankee candle gifts for anyone who wore pink.
We gave out free Vera Bradley gifts to Breast cancer survivors or anyone who has been affected by cancer.
We sold Pink ribbons in honor or memory of a special person. All proceeds are to be donated to The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and a local charity
Pink Ribbons are still on sale at our shop!
We had many door Prizes to give away!Thanks to Kelea Excel from SJ Healthcare for helping out, giving out information, & free gifts!
We offered a lot of pink merchandise, including flowers, books, jewelry, tee shirts,
hats,
scarves and so much more!
Our helpers, Melissa & Josie and Jill stopped by top say hi!
Thanks to The Bridgeton News for bringing awareness of this event to our community. You can read the article below....Hope Chest, in Dutch Neck Village, Hopewell, hosts cancer awareness
HOPEWELL TWP. - Dutch Neck Village shoppers stopped in the Hope Chest Saturday, some wearing pink to celebrate the shop's first Breast Cancer Awareness event.
The Hope Chest also sold pink ribbons to be worn in honor of breast cancer survivors or victims at $5 each.
Half the proceeds from those sales will go to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, and half to a local charity yet to be determined, said Hope Chest owner Kimberly Rose.She said she would discuss choices for a local charity with South Jersey Healthcare (SJH) representatives.
Some SJH staff were on hand outside the shop to answer questions and hand out literature on mammograms and other breast health services their organization offers.
"We wanted to do something community-oriented," Rose said, as customers perused the quaint shop, out of the late morning heat.
"We were hoping to bring awareness to women. The turnout has been really good. Lots of women came in wearing pink."
Rose's shop, in business for a little over six years now, has an entire Vera Bradley product room, in which that company's line of Hope Garden handbags are sold.
Ten percent of proceeds from the handbags, which have colorful flower patterns, go to the company's Foundation for Breast Cancer, she said.
"That kind of set (our event) in motion," Rose said.
The Hope Chest served pink refreshments, including cupcakes and other sweets.
Perk and Pantry, another Dutch Neck Village store, donated pink, watermelon-flavored Italian soda, as well.
SJH mammography department staff set up a tent outside.Beside giving out information, they handed out pink ribbon key chains and pins, along with small Hope Garden handbags, for free.
SJH Bridgeton Health Center mammographer Kelea Exel said some of women's major concerns are where to go for mammograms or other services; available programs, including free ones, and at what age to have a mammogram performed.
Exel said SJH programs are available for "anyone just diagnosed or anyone with breast concerns at all."
Services can include transportation, setting clients up with an oncologist or other specialist, biopsies, and many others.
The Breast Cancer Bridge is a free SJH program that educates patients and their loved ones in practical and emotional matters, offered at SJH-Elmer and SJH-RMC, in Vineland.
Exel emphasized that her organization offers digital mammograms, deemed especially advantageous.
The digital system appeared late last summer at the Bridgeton Health Center and the Regional Medical Center.
According to an SJH news release at that time, it "detects some cancers earlier, requires fewer images and exposes patients to less radiation."
Mammograms can be performed at the following locations:
* Regional Medical Center, Vineland - 641-7950; for appointments, 575-4887
* Bridgeton Health Center - 575-4550; for appointments, 575-4887
* Millville - 825-0005 (same number for appointments)
* Hammonton - 609-567-6633 (same for appointments)
* Elmer - 363-1550 (same for appointments).
To read more about The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, please go to:
http://www.verabradley.org/
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