Bras on Broadway Kicks Off 7th Year

The Hotel Donaldson is putting on its seventh annual Bras on Broadway fundraiser in late October, though fundraising for the event is currently ongoing.

Bras on Broadway raises money for breast cancer patients across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. It will be held from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Hotel Donaldson.

According to Karen Stoker, the owner of the Hotel Donaldson, Bras on Broadway is the only fundraiser allowed by the American Cancer society to keep the money local.

The funds go towards purchasing gas cards and wigs for breast cancer patients, though the bulk of that money goes towards gas cards.

“The average patient commutes 140 miles to receive cancer treatment,” said Alison Ottesen, general manager of the Hotel Donaldson.

The event started in 2006 after a friend of Stoker’s saw a similar event in Montana. Bras on Broadway raised just over $13,000 during its first year. Last year, they raised over $102,000.

The event will prominently feature both wearable and non-wearable bras that will be auctioned off as well as paintings, photographs, blown glass and other works of art.

There are multiple ways for students and community members to get involved with this fundraiser.

According to Stoker, one of the easiest ways to participate is to donate an old bra and $5 (or more) to the Hotel Donaldson to display during Bras on Broadway. For those who feel more ambitious, teams can sign up to fundraise for the event by gathering funds in any way imaginable and turning them in to the Hotel Donaldson.

Ottesen explained that there’s a bit of a competition going on among the teams, and the team who raises the most money will win a party at the Hotel Donaldson for up to 75 guests.

“This would be a great way as an organization or dorm floor to get involved as a team,” Ottesen said.

People can also donate money without a bra by going to the Bras on Broadway website or by texting HEARTSDAY to 20222 to add a $10 donation to their phone bill.

Hotel Donaldson is also putting on an event called “Deck the Bras” in which members of the community are invited to decorate one of their old bras to help with the cause.

Glitter, sequins, feathers and other decorations will be provided and Rosie Sauvageau and Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome will perform.

“It’s all-age friendly, gender neutral and a way for people to be a part of the event, even if they aren’t going,” Stoker said.

Deck the Bras will be held from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Fargo Civic Center.

“If you catch it early enough - if you nip it in the bud, I like to say - the outlook and the outcome is really, really great,” Stoker said. “There aren’t very many cancers where you can be that proactive and have an effect on your health.”

According to Stoker, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Hotel Donaldson also has an event in February known as “Bros on Broadway,” a similar fundraiser for prostate cancer.

Bras on Broadway is still accepting fundraising teams. For more information on how to sign up, donate, or about the event in general, visit http://www.brasonbroadway.com.