October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and on the 4th Gurney’s Inn, Resort and Spa kicked off their month long support with a “Recycle Your Bra” party and fundraiser at the Seawater Spa.
In support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and the Coalition for Women’s Cancers at Southampton Hospital (CWC) and hosted by Seawater Spa Director Candice Monte, Gurney’s invited guests to help launch their program that will place 14 bra recycling centers around the East End. At these centers women can turn in old and unwanted bras along with a $2 donation for the cause. The bras will be recycled and used to make padding for red carpets at events all around the country, including the Academy Awards, further raising funds for women’s cancer research.
The recycling program is the brain child of Montauk/NYC resident Kathleen Kirkwood, “I have been an intimate apparel designer for almost 30 years and I saw hundreds of thousands of bras go into landfills every year so I decided to create a solution to recycle the bras. I turn them into carpet cushion and the metal is extracted and sold and whatever income we get from the recycling is donated to breast cancer research.” Those who would like donate can text gno to 79274 for bra recycling drop off locations.
Starting at noon women had the opportunity to sign up for free cancer screening provided by the CWC. The women that signed up were those who had no healthcare insurance and might otherwise go unscreened without this vital program. CWC Director Susan Roden noted, “We are signing up women who don’t have insurance for a free pap smear, a free clinical breast exam and a free mammogram. We are out here to remind people that early detection is the key and there is no excuse why they shouldn’t have a mammogram. It is through Southampton Hospital’s Breast Health Center and a wonderful woman who has volunteered her services, Nurse Practitioner Meagan Wright.”
The party kicked off at 6:00 and as expected guests had bras in hand to donate. Candice Monte, newly appointed to the Board of Southampton Hospital, was thrilled with the turn out and the concept, “Originally we wanted to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I thought I would have a little spa night to raise some money and my little spa night turned into 200 people. The next year it was 400 people, the support has been unbelievable, and it just keeps growing with every event. This year I wanted to have some of the money stay local, so we have partnered with the Coalition for Women’s Cancers at Southampton Hospital.”
Gurney’s month long support for the BCRF and the CWC will culminate in their 5th Annual Girls Night Out Pink Party on Friday, November 8th. GNO is an evening of complimentary wine and cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & spa pampering all in support of a great cause. Always a sellout, be sure to reserve your tickets today and make a weekend of it with an overnight stay and GNO attendees discounted room rates at Gurney’s Inn, Resort and Spa.
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Stacy Quarty, Vicki Durand and Susan Roden of the Coalition for Women’s Cancer at Southampton Hospital. (Photo: Douglas MacKaye Harrington) |
