The Brides’ Project donates ALL PROFITS to The Canadian Cancer Society (Relay for Life), The Breast Cancer Foundation , Camp Quality and several other related organizations that help fight cancer and/or support those afflicted.

2010 Update: We well exceeded our $40,000 goal in 2010, and raised our goal to $60,000 in 2011.

2011 Update (Nov 3, 2011).  We have reached our $60,000 goal in 2011 and have another $20,000 in planned giving.

Our role is simple.  We are a 3rd party fundraiser that provides necessary funds to help these organizations in the fight against cancer.

Things like a gown for your wedding day are an easy way to make a contribution, but there are many other ways.  Just ask us.  We also invite other vendors to join our network, with the proviso of donating at least a percentage of the income from our referrals to charity.  We strongly believe that a wedding can make a huge difference in the social consciousness of society at the same time as being the hallmark of the beginning of a new family unit.   And all this can happen without compromising elegance, beauty or quality.  It can also happen on a budget.  And, we’ve found, that these efforts also happen to be GREEN!  Yes, you can have a fabulous wedding that is socially conscious, environmentally conscious, and financially savvy.

We also believe in supporting YOU in your own efforts to support cancer charities… and will help sponsor you in your own efforts to get out there and make a difference.  We believe in taking positive action, and seeing others make the same move.  Let us know if you have events we can share or vendors you have found who will take part.  We welcome your ideas to help find a cure through weddings.

Our gifts are not always monetary donations; we also donate dresses and/or accessories to other groups such as Arts Junktion, Ballroom Blitz and several others who use them for fundraising or direct service provision to their clientele. Check out some photos from events we participate in.

Camp Quality:

An amazing group that provides year-round support for children suffering from cancer and their families.  In 2010 our donations were $10,000, preceded by $17,500 in 2009.   On February 20th, 2011, they received $15,000 which sent 30 children with cancer to camp!

The Canadian Cancer Society:

You’ll find in our archives tons of pictures about our participation in the Relay, which began in 2008.  We can’t imagine missing this event… and what would a night be without a troup of brides walking around in wedding dresses!!!  We rocked the event in 2010, and were the top fundraising team with over $10,000.   Come and see us again in 2011 as we hit our $15,000 goal!  Update on June 22: We raised over $26,500 for Relay for Life 2011.

Join us at Relay for Life!


The Canadian Breast Cancer Society:

We take part in the annual Run for the Cure, with a donation of over $10,000 in 2010, and projected goal of $15,000 in 2011.  Please join us in the fall or sponsor one of our many team members.  Update; our team raised over $12,600 for Run for the Cure in 2011.

NEW BENEFICIARIES: As we grow, and our fundraising ability increases, we have been asked to add several new organizations.

Wellspring: In 2010 we added Wellspring to our list of beneficiaries, and offered them $5000.  We hope to continue this support through 2011 and beyond.  I love this organization because it focuses on the psychosocial side of cancer, and provides umpteen ways to support men, women, children and families battling the disease.

Update: We will be offering $10,000 to Wellspring for 2011.  I’m so excited to write a cheque with lots of zeroes and hand-deliver it!

 

“Wellspring is an innovative network of centres providing high-quality cancer support, education and coping skills to a growing number of individuals, family members and professional caregivers in Canada. Wellspring programs are free of charge and open to individuals and caregivers who are coping with any type of cancer, at any stage.  They include individual and group support, coping skills, expressive therapies, energy work and educational workshops and presentations and are housed at
warm, non-institutional Wellspring centres.”

Movember:

In 2010 we donated $5100 to Movember to support efforts to cure prostate cancer.  If you look in our archives, you’ll find 51 “MO”s that were rewarded with $100 donations each!

Update: In 2011, we have set aside $10,000 for Movember!!


Gilda’s Club: In 2011 we added Gilda’s Club to our group of recipients, and donated $5000 in our first quarter.

Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto is a place where men, women, teens and children with cancer – along with their families and friends – can join with others to build social and emotional support as a supplement to medical care.   Gilda’s Club also welcomes long-term cancer survivors and those who have lost someone to cancer.  Free of charge, Gilda’s Club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social activities in a non-institutional, homelike setting.   Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto is the forefront in providing member centered care.   Our customized membership plans are specifically designed to meet the on-going needs of each child or adult.

Terry Fox Foundation:

In 2011 we added the Terry Fox Foundation to our donor list, with an initial contribution of $5000.  As the owner/founder, I particularly love this organization because they:

a) send 85% of the money directly to research and are not admin-heavy

b) Terry Fox and my best friend suffered exactly the same prognosis and fate, and were both inspiring fighters!

c) their event is fun, free-form (run, cycle, walk, rollerblade), and there is no set ‘start time’.  I had a great time cycling to my nearest location to take part and enjoyed it completely!  It’s an event that fits for everyone.

We hope to greatly increase our support of this wonderful organization in the years ahead.  Thank you Terry for being such an inspiration not only to us, but to so many Canadians.

Additional Funds and Support:

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa $100

Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai $500