Every year communities all over the country hold annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life runs. Relay for Life is a fundraiser that supports those who have fought cancer and won, remembers the ones that lost, and raises money for further cancer research.

According to The Wausau Business Directory the town of Merrill, Wis., is showing extra “support” for this year’s Relay for Life. Merrill is baring bras – hundreds of them – in support of the run. The city has a goal to hang 1,000 bras on the Center Avenue Bridge that crosses the Wisconsin River. Stringing 1,000 bras on a bridge isn’t something we see every day and can cause quite a stir, which is just what organizers are hoping. Not only are organizers wanting to attract more donations to the cause, but they’re also looking forward to showing off their revitalized downtown area. Amazing what the power of women’s lingerie can do, isn’t it?

You can support the Merrill’s Bras Across the Bridge and Race for the Cure by running the relay race, donating bras or stopping by the town’s Ye Old Sweet Shoppe on Main Street to take a guess at how many bras will be collected for $1 per guess. The closest guess wins a gift basket full of items donated by many of the town’s shops.

The Bras Across the Bridge display is Merrill’s way of focusing on breast cancer. Downtown businesses have decorated their front windows with bras and even messages about their personal cancer stories.

FOTO News reported that breast cancer survivor Sarah Litzer of Merrill had a double mastectomy and donated all of her bras to the cause. “I donated every single one of them,” she said. “It was kind of cathartic almost.”

According to FOTO News, the bras will be hung on the bridge July 29 and on display during the Relay for Life race on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4. After the race, the bras will go to the The Bra Recyclers, a company that distributes bras to women and girls in need. As if Merrill hasn’t given enough, what a perfect idea!

Merrill, CupCase Your Bras travel accessory supports your cause! What an inspirational town you are and we wish you success!

Even though Breast Cancer Awareness Month ended in October along with all the promotion surrounding, we can’t let down our guard about breast health just because it’s over.

People sometimes find it difficult to talk about, well, breasts. Agreed, it’s a personal topic. But we at CupCase think it’s critical to overcome that “taboo” so we can talk and be educated about something that’s so important.

The Facts
The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for breast cancer in the U.S. are for 2011:

• About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women.
• About 57,650 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
• About 39,520 deaths from breast cancer (women).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35, though those rates have been going down. This is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier in addition to better treatment. Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

Take Charge. Be Proactive.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk and increase your odds if cancer does occur.

ACS suggests you lower your risk of breast cancer by limiting alcohol use, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. You should also perform a monthly self-examination, see your doctor regularly and get mammograms when recommended. For women who are at risk, there is genetic testing, along with other preventative procedures that can be discussed with a doctor.

Early detection is a key to increasing your odds if cancer does occur.  Click here for more information on how breast cancer is found and how you can perform self exams.

CupCase cares. We want you to take charge, be proactive and keep “’em” healthy.