There are surely few things as devastating to a woman as a breast cancer diagnosis. An American woman is diagnosed with his terrifying disease every 2 ½ minutes, and it has a devastating effect on not only a person's health, but also her family, finances, and more. There is something, however, that you as a bride can do to help. There is a wonderful foundation called Making Memories that accepts donations of used wedding gowns and bridal jewelry to raise funds to bring a moment of joy into the lives of breast cancer patients. Read more about how you can help by donating, as well as how you can help by buying a great used gown at an incredible price.
After the wedding is over, most women are left to wonder what they should do with their bridal gowns. As much as you love your wedding dress, chances are that you will never wear it again. The alternative of paying a fortune to have it professionally cleaned and archivally boxed is not too much more appealing. After all, what good does it do you to have a beautiful dress living in a box under your bed for the next 30 years?
There is an alternative, and it is a really wonderful one. Just as the Make-a-Wish foundation grants wishes to terminally ill children, Making Memories grants wishes to women with breast cancer. Their mission statement is:
"It is the driving force of our Foundation to make a wish come true for these brave fighters. The wishes and memory-making events we bestow, allows the individual and their family the opportunity to put aside the realities of this illness, if only for a time, while basking in the joy of one another's presence. Our sincere desire is for every terminally ill breast cancer patient to pass from this world, comforted in the knowledge of having left one final beautiful memory for his or her family."
The individuals affected with cancer have the opportunity to make a special wish (within certain parameters) that they hope to have fulfilled. Many of the women request to have a special vacation with their families to help create a memory that they will all hold dear.
The great news is that as a bride, you have the power to bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of these women battling breast cancer. After your wedding, instead of stuffing your gown into the back of your closet, or tucking your bridal jewelry away in a box, donate it to Making Memories. Not only will you be doing a really good deed, but you can take it as a tax deduction, as well. All the details can be found on their website, makingmemories.org.
If you are a bride who is still shopping for your dream gown, you have an important role to play, as well. The donated gowns are cleaned and repaired if needed (some are even brand new dresses) and then sold to raise funds to grant wishes. Gowns ordinarily selling for up to $4000 can be found for $799 or less. Saving money on your gown while also helping women with breast cancer; how can you beat that? The gown sale events travel around the country and you can find a sale in your area by checking their website.
A wedding is a time of such joy in a bride's life. Wouldn't it be incredible if you could share some of that joy with one who really needs it? By donating to or buying from Making Memories, you will be doing exactly that.
