News

Actions

Hundreds Of Bras Cross The Grand River

Posted at 1:59 PM, Oct 19, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-19 13:59:35-04

brasGRAND RAPIDS, Mich- Hundreds of bras crossed the Grand River Saturday morning to show support for breast cancer survivors and to raise awareness for the disease. 

With a five dollar donation people decorated bras or a t-shirt to be displayed in the “chain of hope” along the Grand River’s Gillett Pedestrian Bridge, serving as a visual reminder of those who are fighting the disease and those who have lost their battle. 

“The Society reminds all women 40 and older to have a yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam. In addition, women ages 20 to 39 should receive a clinical breast exam once every three years. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98% when it is diagnosed in the earliest stages.” said Jamie Counterman a representative for the American Cancer Society of Northwestern Michigan. 

More than 232,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,000 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2013, according to the American Cancer Society. Of those diagnosed, one in every two women reaches out to the Society for help and support. The organization offers newly diagnosed women and those living with breast cancer a variety of programs and services to help them in their breast cancer experience.

There was also a bra decorating contest, silent auction and a breast cancer survivor pampering station.