Annual ‘Bras for A Cause’ fundraiser Saturday in Hedrick

HEDRICK - The annual Bras for A Cause fundraising event is set Saturday at the Carl Craft Civic Center in Hedrick.

'This will be our eighth event, and I'm very excited to make it the best one yet,” said Laurie Hornback, founder and organizer of Bras for A Cause. 'I started this event as a way to raise money for breast cancer awareness, research, education and funding mammograms for women that are unable to afford them. I have worked closely with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and believe in their cause. Of the funds donated 25 percent goes to research and 75 percent stays in Iowa.”

Known simply as Komen, the foundation is the largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the United States.

This year's Bras for A Cause includes a live bra auction - where Hedrick Fire Department volunteer firemen will model elaborately decorated bras donated by community members - a silent auction and a barbecued supper.

The supper, provided by Bubba Q's, will start at 4:30 p.m. A freewill donation will be collected.

A silent auction, which includes all kinds of items, also begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues through 8 p.m., with winners announced shortly afterward.

The live auction of decorated bras, with the firemen models, will be at 6 p.m.

Hornback was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and underwent two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation.

'Thankfully I became a survivor and was able to get on with life,” she said.

She went on to start Bras for A Cause.

'In 2011, the first Bras for A Cause raised $4000, and I was thrilled to say the least,” she said. 'Each year, we have grown and changed things up a bit. We went from a soup supper to a pork loin supper to a wonderful meal provided and donated by Bubba Q's! We also added a silent auction the last four years. Our community has been incredible, donating baked goods, silent auction items and a lot of time. And of course the bras!

”This is what started it all,” she continued. 'We live auction all of the decorated bras and have had any where from 60 to 120 bras. The bras can be decorated any way you like and anyone can decorate and donate a bra. Our local volunteer firemen have graciously agreed to model them again this year.”

Hornback had to cancel the fifth Bras for A Cause in 2015 because she was diagnosed again with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction.

'This involved a couple of surgeries, but once again I am fortunate to come out a survivor,” she said. 'In 2016, we came back with a vengeance!”

In 2018, the event raised $27,200, which was all donated to the Susan G. Komen Greater Iowa Affiliate. In the past seven years, Bras for A Cause has raised and donated a total of $97,317.

Plus the sponsorship has grown from 13 sponsors three years ago to 23 this year.

For information, contact Hornback at 641-777-4252.