Imagine a meaningful way to get rid of old articles of clothing while helping raise awareness to save women around the world. That double good deed is what “The Kane Show” at Hot 99.5-FM is doing Friday with its Bras Across D.C. event at the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the disc jockeys will be taking women’s donated bras and lining the pool in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Want to be supportive? Come see the bras.
“We figured, why not?” said Erick Villegas, producer of “The Kane Show.” “It’s a chance to help the community and benefit everybody.”
It’s the second year the morning show at Hot 99.5 has encouraged women to drop off their bras at specific sites during October. All donations will go toward research and awareness at the American Cancer Society, which has partnered with the radio station for the event.
“Every penny” goes to the cancer society, Mr. Villegas said. “Breast cancer affects so many people, and we want to help and put the word out.”
This year the bras were collected at the radio station, Waldorf Ford and Dodge dealership in Maryland, and at workplaces across the local area. Monday was the last drop-off day. The bras were collected and taken to be washed at a Virginia dry cleaner before their big premiere on Friday.
Last year, “The Kane Show” collected more than 2,000 bras along with donations at the drop-off sites. Mr. Villegas said he was “blown away” by the amount of support the effort had last year and he is expecting a slightly higher number this year.
According to the cancer society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women besides skin cancer. In a Sept. 18 publication, it estimated that in 2009, approximately 40,170 people will die from breast cancer. However, with the years of research and prevention, there is still hope for a cure. Breast cancer rates have been decreasing since 1990, and that may be because of earlier detection and increased awareness, the society said. The ACS adds that after two decades of increasing rates, female breast cancer rates dropped 2 percent each year from 1999 through 2006.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, created in 1982, is the global leader in the breast cancer movement. Since its founding, it has raised more than $1 billion for research and prevention. According to the foundation, one in eight women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer, and without a cure, 5 million Americans will be diagnosed over the next 25 years.
The cancer society says there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, which includes women who have completed and are completing treatment. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer when caught early is at a staggering 98 percent, compared with 74 percent in the early 1980s.
“Ford as a corporation plays a big role with the Susan G. Komen foundation,” said Shelly Wagstaff, director of marketing at Waldorf Ford and Dodge. “So many of us [at the dealership] have been touched by breast cancer and we wanted to help directly.”
The dealership collected more than 300 bras between Oct. 2 and 23.
“We get a lot of women who are so thankful,” Mr. Villegas said. “They are glad we are doing this, and everyone has been very supportive.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.