Girl Guide Bras on Display

Bras bedazzle for cancer fight

Article in The Ballarat Courier
By SARAH KRIEG Dec. 12, 2013, 10:30 p.m.
BEDAZZLED bras transformed into rabbits, chickens and even a floral bouquet were all unveiled at BreastScreen Ballarat yesterday.

The bras were created by the 1st Sebastopol Girl Guides Teen Team, led by unit leader Dawn Fischer, to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Mrs Fischer came up with the idea after watching an RPA episode in which a 19-year-old was diagnosed with the disease.

“It was individual choice but there is a bit of a story behind each one,” Mrs Fischer said.

“One girl’s mum had just gotten married so hers represents the wedding bouquet.”

Guide Jade Montgomery designed hers to look like a Las Vegas showgirl’s bra after a recent holiday there, while Angela Smith decorated hers with delicate sewing work. Each bra includes the pink breast cancer ribbon in the design.

The group’s family and friends, along with the Sebastopol Senior Citizens Group, voted for their favourite creation with a $1 coin, raising $440 to be split between the McGrath Foundation and Support 4 Cancer. The girls also donated $2 to put their bras on show.

McGrath Foundation breast cancer nurse Fiona Reeves said it was exciting to see community-minded women supporting such a cause while having fun.

“It is incredibly valuable in promoting breast awareness in the local community,” Ms Reeves said.

She said 15,000 women and 100 men were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the coming year.

BreastScreen provides free screening for women over 40 and can be contacted on 132050.