The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation

So we’ve been posting a lot lately about what the big night is going to be like…the goods, the deals, the sponsors, the fun. But there’s a bigger reason we’re putting this whole night together, and that’s because we want to raise money for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.  So we asked Brenda Chovanak, the National Tour Director for Brides Against Breast Cancer who has been working with Making Memories since 2004, to tell us a bit about who she is and what the organization does.

How long have you been with the organization, and what kind of work do you do for them?
We’ve all heard, “be careful what you wish for”.   I came to the organization like many others have; wearing a pink volunteer tee shirt.  I volunteered to work at my first  Brides Against Breast Cancer wedding gown sale in 2004, looked around and found myself saying, “I wish I could get more involved”.

Although I don’t have the free time to do it now, I enjoy restoring antique wedding gowns and in June of 2005 I was asked to help launch their Antique and Retro Gown Division.  I live and breathe my work for the organization now, as the National Tour Director for Brides Against Breast Cancer.  I travel the country, playing dress up with the brides and getting silly with our volunteers to raise money to grant wishes and to educate about breast cancer.

What drew you to this organization?
There are so many wonderful organizations raising money to find a cure for breast cancer, I found myself wondering, “What about the individuals for which a cure won’t come in time?” Think of all of life’s simple moments, that so many others take for granted, means everything to someone who’s been told they are out of time.  To help them forget the realities of the disease – even for a moment — and make memories to leave behind is a very noble thing that all of us can do…right now.

What is your favorite part of working with Making Memories?
Each day I’m surrounded by people who make the world a better place, simply because they got out of bed that morning and walk on the face of our planet.

What is the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation?
Here’s the standard reply:  ABOUT MAKING MEMORIES BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION™
Headquartered in Portland, OR, Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation™ is a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes, including memory-making events, for stage IV breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase awareness of breast cancer.  Since its founding in 1998, Making Memories has developed various fundraising divisions including Brides Against Breast Cancer,™ Pink Envelope Project, Quilters Against Breast Cancer and Diamonds for Dreams.  These divisions support wish fulfillment and various educational programs of the foundation.  Each year, Making Memories receives thousands of wedding gowns from various manufacturers, designers, retailers and individuals for the Brides Against Breast Cancer™ Nationwide Tour of Gowns, making it the organization’s primary fundraising activity.  Making Memories has received national media coverage including Oprah, MSNBC, CNN, Newsweek, TIME, Redbook, Brides, Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, Family Circle, Woman’s Day and Shape magazine among others. For more information about Making Memories, please visit www.makingmemories.org.