LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – It is wedding season, so this weekend brides-to-be had the chance to get a bargain on their gown and help a good cause at the same time.
Brides Against Breast Cancer held their show at the John Knox Village. The event offers hundreds of gently worn dresses donated by former brides who want to aid the fight against breast cancer.
The gowns are white, but the cause is decidedly pink. The gowns have all been donated, cleaned, and tagged. They are as unique as the women who once wore them and come in every style and size.
“Every dress has a great story behind it. Whether it’s new or used it’s great to come and have such a large selection from all over the nation,” said Kelsey Anderson with Brides Against Breast Cancer.
Some of the dresses are brand new and others are vintage. One dress donated this weekend, a silk and lace ivory gown, was worn by a bride who was married in 1928.
“We had a wonderful lady come in and she was tied to the dress I could tell,” said Anderson. “She said she had been staring at it in her closet for so many years but really wanted it to go to a good cause.”
Brides Against Breast Cancer holds shows in more than 100 different cities. Last year they raised about $2 million for free programs for cancer patients, which is why local florist Russ Lawrence, from Changing Seasons, was at the event.
“Four weeks ago, I got a phone call that my biological mother was dying of breast cancer. She had stage four,” said Lawrence.
She died days later. Cancer also claimed Lawrence’s adoptive mother’s life.
Many of the brides who buy and donate gowns at this bridal show do so because of a loved one who has battled cancer.
“We haven’t found the cure yet. We need to all get involved and be a part of it,” said Lawrence. “This show is one way that I can be a part of breast cancer and help out and beautiful people.”
If you would like to donate a dress, go to bridesabc.org. The show is planning another stop in Kansas City sometime late this summer.
