When Friendgirl Things owner Anita Fenn was setting up a breast cancer awareness event with the Vera Bradley breast cancer awareness patterns designs as her centerpiece, she asked the company if they could send a representative down to make the event special.
She got an unexpected confirmation: Joan Bradley Reedy, daughter of Vera Bradley, would be the special guest.
Reedy will join Friendgirl Things in Edgwood Mall for the event from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, with giveaways and refreshments.
“Joan chose Friendgirl Things,” Fenn said unbelievably. “She goes to several speaking engagements a year across the U.S., and we are one of her stops. There are hundreds of Vera Bradley retailers. I never in a million years would have thought Friendgirl Things would get ‘the Joan Bradley Reedy’ in our store.”
Reedy is a breast cancer survivor known for her survivor stories with a humorous take. She’ll talk about her experiences and about the work of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Customers will enjoy refreshments while visiting with Reedy and shopping for a cause.
Friendgirl Things carries Vera Bradley purses and other accessories in a variety of colorful patterns.
Catherine Hill, executive director of the Vera Bradley Foundation, said Reedy will have a little gift for every donation.
“We’re so delighted that Friendgirl Things is raising funds for breast cancer research,” Hill said. “Our Vera Bradley retailers are the perfect ambassadors to help us bring more awareness and support to our cause. We will have a Vera Bradley surprise with every donation.”
Fenn said she will be having lots of other giveaways, too, like Virgin Saints and Angels, Butter London, UGG and others.
Fenn is donating 10 percent of the entire day’s sales to the foundation in honor of Nancy Jones, one of Fenn’s “Friendgirl Moms” who lost her battle with breast cancer.
“I loved that crazy woman,” Fenn said. “I love her family like my own.” All proceeds from the event will be donated in her name.
Fenn is also selling T-shirts called “Save Your Girls” with 100 percent of those proceeds going to the cause.
“We have sold close to 80 already,” Fenn said. “I had to reorder T’s.”
The foundation was founded by Vera Bradley owners Barbara Baekgaard and Patricia Miller in 1998. It has contributed $15 million to the research team at the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories housed at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis.
Nationwide, the foundation supports 22 labs and 36 researchers and clinicians who are leading the country in major advancements in drug therapies.
The research laboratories have gained national recognition for their work in detecting cancer in the earliest stages, identifying women at risk, discovering preventive measures, genetic based therapies, and enhancing the quality and longevity of life for women with breast cancer.
