Bra-ha-ha exceeds all expectations

More than 10,000 people viewed the 147 bras exhibited at MacArthur Center Oct. 5-17 as part of Chesapeake Regional's Bra-ha-ha. The brazier art works created by area residents brought awareness to the fight against breast cancer and helped raise money for Chesapeake Regional's Breast Center. The bras ranged from the poignant "Reflection of Hope" to the humorous "The Secret Life of Boo-bees"

Celebrity judges Vanessa Coria, Stephanie Harris, Marie Coronel, Dick Lamb, Jennifer Roberts and Paul Richardson selected a grand prize-winning bra as well as several honorable mentions.

The breast cancer awareness event kicked off Oct. 4, with a gala hosted by Karen West of 97.3 The Eagle. The evening was full of compelling stories, inspiring bras and everything pink. More than 600 people attended the event in MacArthur Center's Center Court. Numerous celebrity bras were auctioned, including a special creation from "Sex and The City" lingerie designer, Cosabella, and country recording artist, Phil Vassar.

See the 2009 Bra-ha-ha winners!

What is Bra-ha-ha?

Bra-ha-ha is meant to promote women’s health and increase awareness of breast cancer. Proceeds benefit the Chesapeake Regional Breast Center. Participants create artworks based on their thoughts and feelings about breast cancer, but these artists don’t paint on canvas, they decorate 36C under-wire bras. The results are poignant and humorous, heart warming and thought provoking.

Bra-ha-ha commemorates battles won and lost, honors the heroism of friends and family, and serves as a reminder of the importance of mammograms, self-checks and early detection.

Last year’s inaugural event featured 145 decorated bras from artists throughout Hampton Roads. Entries were serious, whimsical, tongue-in-check, sentimental or downright funny. Because of the exhibit’s overwhelming success, organizers at Chesapeake Regional decided to move this year’s exhibit to a larger venue and schedule two weeks for the public to view the creations. Sponsors such as Max Media, Dillard’s, Barnes and Noble and California Pizza Kitchen are joining in the efforts.

The exhibit kicked off with an opening night gala Sunday, Oct. 4 from 7-9 p.m. in Norfolk’s MacArthur Center’s Center Court. Entries were judged by a panel of well-known personalities and the winning designer received a prize of $500.

Make a donation to benefit the Breast Center in honor or in memory of someone with breast cancer.

Bra-ha-ha 2009:
See the opening night gala
This year's winning entries
All of this year's bras
Celebrity bra donations
Bra-ha-ha on the Today Show

Bra-ha-ha is on Facebook!

Bra-ha-ha 2008:
Gala and Breast Center grand opening story
Gala slide show
Bra entries slide show

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Bra-ha-ha® is a registered trademark of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center