Recap: Handbags of Hope Hudson County Charity Event Benefiting TN Breast Cancer Foundation

On October 16th, Handbags of Hope Exchange held a "Belles in Pink" held a Kentucky Derby themed breast cancer awareness fundraising brunch held at the Culinary Conference Center in Jersey City, NJ to honor the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (100% of the event profits are being donated to charity). 

The fundraising brunch included several event speakers including Dr. Julie DiGiola (Chief of Surgical Oncology & Medical Director of The Cristie Kerr Women's Center at Jersey City Medical Center), Amber Marchese (Reality TV Star: Bravo TV's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" & WE tv's "Marriage Bootcamp: Reality Stars), Dr. Garrett Wirth (Co-Author) of "Personalized Breast Care, A Guide for Cosmetic Surgery, Breast Cancer and Reconstruction"), and Anita Kopacz (Editor-in-Chief, Heart & Soul Magazine). 

Dr. Gioia serves as Chief of Surgical Oncology and is the Medical Director of The Cristie Kerr Women's Center, the first comprehensive state of the art diagnostic imaging facility in Hudson County.  

Marchese, a New Jersey mother, wife, business owner and fearless breast cancer survivor discussed her story, from diagnosis at 31 years old to lessons learned.Jersey City native Dr. Julia DiGioia discussed high risk breast cancer prevention and treatment options. 

Co-author of "Personalized Breast Care, A Guide for Cosmetic Surgery, Breast Cancer and Reconstruction;" Dr. Garrett Wirth shared his new Fenestrated FlexHD pliable allograft - or "internal bra", as it's been dubbed - which allows patients to endure less time with tissue expanders, and more direct-to-implant reconstruction. 

Wirth shared some important breast reconstruction facts with us. Only about 4 out of every 10 women undergoing mastectomy are being offered their breast reconstruction options. Immediate breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy. Regardless of radiation, breast reconstruction is always an option. Microsurgical breast reconstruction using a patient's own tissue is the gold standard for reconstruction. 

"Women are ready to go beyond just the physical healing," explains Heart & Soul Editor-in-Chief, Anita Kopacz. Kopacz shared her tips for using meditation to find balance and inner strength. 

"About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime," explains Handbags of Hope Exchange founder, Erika Hernandez. "When women support each other incredible things happen. I have seen many friends silently suffer in fear and I want this event to be a platform that shows women that they ar not alone in their fight" shares Hernandez.

- Kim Weling

Last Minute Beauty Products in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

There's still time to support Breast Cancer Awareness month with these last minute, limited-edition beauty products. 

Limited edition set includes BCA eos Lip Balm & Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer ($9.99). 5% of proceeds from the sale of this item will be donated to Young Survival Coalition to support and educate young women with breast cancer.

Japonesque BCA Pro Eyelash Curler comes with a detachable enamel breast cancer ribbon charm ($24).

Tweezerman Precision in Pink BCA Slant Tweezer ($22) has a fresh fun look, covered in pretty pink and white grosgrain ribbons on a white enamel finish. A portion of each tweezer sold is donated to organizations devoted to cancer care and finding a cure.

Clinique BCA Pink With A Purpose ($16.00) includes a special-edition, long-lasting lipstick in Power with Pink and Pretty Pink carrying case. With the purchase of this product $3 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

Sephora Collection Together in pink hair ties ($5) includes a set of four no-tug ribbon hair ties in pink for breast cancer awareness month. 

Sephora Collection The Beauty of Giving Back Blush Palette ($15) featuring cream and powder blush and bronzer shades that helps support breast cancer research and awareness. A portion of the sale of this palette will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated tp preventing and curing breast cancer within our lifetime.

- Kim Weling

Lands' End Pink Thread Project

Lands' End and Breastcancer.org have teamed up to launch the Pink Thread Project. Through October 31st, any time you order one of six available logos in pink, a full 75% of the $6 application fee becomes a donation to Breastcancer.org. Proclaim your support on your choice of totes, shirts or towels. For more details, go to landsend.com/pinkthread.

- Kim Weling

Shop It - Accessories That Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Here are some of my favorite accessories supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month. These make the perfect gift for yourself or for a friend, while contributing to a great cause. 

Nashelle Rose Gold HOPE necklace, $103

50% of proceeds go to Stand Up 2 Cancer

Per Lo Rose Quartz Venus necklace, $175

30% of proceeds goes towards Breast Cancer Research Fund

La Soula Blush Pink Calcedoney earrings and necklace set, $150

50% of proceeds go to F*ck Cancer

Em John Breast Cancer Awareness Set, $28 

25% of proceeds go to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's BeSMART

Sorial Pink Rubina leather tote, $198

20% of sales go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

I love using this tote as an everyday work bag! It fits everything including my DSLR camera and pair of heels and because the bag itself is lightweight, it doesn't weigh me down when I put a lot of stuff in it. It's the one style I have in different colors so I can always have one with me, from light to dark or more classic colors. 

- Kim Weling

GUESS Eyewear Collection Benefiting Susan G. Komen

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness with GUESS Eyewear's limited edition collection of women's frames benefitting Susan G. Komen. Through July 31, 2014, $5.00 will be donated by Viva International Group to Komen in connection with the sale of each specially marked GUESS sunglasses or optical frame, with a collective guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000 to support innovative breast cancer research and global programs. Each pair will also come with a custom collaboration case, box, lens, cloth and pamphlet detailing the partnership.

The limited edition sunglasses offer a playful mix of classic glamour and luxurious femininity. Featuring oversized cat eye and modified square shaped acetate frames, the GU 7276 and GU 7277 are available in black over pink in honor of the signature breast cancer awareness color. Details include pink rhinestones in a metal triangle plaque, a capped GUESS logo, and the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the outside temple tips. The frames are out of stock on GUESS.com but are also available at GUESS retail stores.

Each frame in the women's optical collection benefiting Susan G. Komen features handmade acetate temples in black over pink in honor of the signature breast cancer awareness color. These limited edition styles such as GU 2396 shown above feature the collection's signature pink rhinestones on the temples and the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the temple tips.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness with the Aerie Limited-Edition Bright Pink Bridget Bra

During October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 100% of sales from the Aerie Limited-Edition Bridget Bra will go to Bright Pink, a non-profit organization dedicated to prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. 

A personalized hangtag will also come with each purchase, so customers can dedicate their bras to someone they love. With in-store purchases, customers who make a donation of $5 or more to Bright Pink will receive an Aerie Bright Pink Nail Polish (while supplies last).

- Kim Weling

Beauty Favorites in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is almost over but you can still show your support! Here are some of my beauty favorites, for $38 or less!

Youngblood Forever Pink Lipgloss is formulated with a natural lip-plumping botanical and Vitamin E. It also features the pink ribbon symbol on its wand. Youngblood is donating a portion of all sales of Forever Pink to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). Forever Pink can be purchased at The Plaza Beauty and at ybskin.com. $23

During the month of October, Shiseido will donate $5 from every sale of Iron Maiden Shimmering Rouge to CEW's Cancer and Careers, an organization that helps women in the workforce coping with cancer. Available at shiseido.com. $25

Hope in a Jar Limited Edition Breast Cancer Awareness by Philosophy - original formula moisturizer works for all skin types and comes in sparkling pink, limited-edition packaging. Philosophy will donate $5 from every limited-edition pink hope in a jar purchase to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Available at ulta.com. $38

SEPHORA COLLECTION BCA Pink Eyelash Curler features a non-slip rubber grip designed to avoid pinching lashes and skin. The silicone rubber pad delivers optimal lash curl. Sephora will donate $1 from each product sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Available at sephora.com. $16

Infiniti Pro Dryer - Limited Edition Power of Pink by Conair helps you dry, straighten and shine in one simple step. Conair Corporation partners with the Breast Cancer Foundation. Available at ulta.com. $34.99

- Kim Weling