Brassieres are usually expected to provide support, but the uniquely decorated bras at two uplifting events will boost more than just cleavage.

The Bras for a Cause events to auction off novelty bras are being held to raise money for the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

Men and women are invited to join a “Boob Crawl” ― a novelty pub crawl full of games, bra auctions and prizes ― on Oct. 17, and a main bra auction on Nov. 8.

“I keep organizing this event because there are so many women who suffer from breast cancer,” said event organizer Abigail Flores, who has been teaching English in Korea for 13 years.
 
“The first year I did this event, I found out on Facebook that an old friend from junior high is a survivor. Now, someone very close to me has breast cancer and is going through chemotherapy. It is one of my biggest fears.

“One-hundred percent of the money from the Bras for a Cause events goes to the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation to support the amazing work they do in Korea.

“The Boob Crawl through Itaewon and Bras for a Cause are really fun events, where people can let their hair down and party for this excellent cause.”
 

The Boob Crawl will start at the Bull & Barrel in Itaewon-dong at 8 p.m., before heading to other nearby bars. Boob crawlers are asked to donate 5,000 won ($4.70) to join the party. In return, they will receive a pink breast cancer awareness wristband with a prize draw for everyone completing the pub crawl. “Bras for a Cause” T-shirts priced at 15,000 won and AmorePacific gift sets will also be sold to raise money for the KBCF. Around 70 people turned out for the crawl last year, raising about 2 million won.

The main Bras for a Cause event will start at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8, also at the Bull & Barrel. Creatively decorated bras that have been sent from as far afield as New Zealand adorned with flowers, birds, beads, butterflies and even artificial grass will be modeled for auction.

The 10,000 won entry fee comes with a pink breast cancer support ribbon and a raffle ticket. As well as bra auctions and raffles of gift certificates and other prizes, there will be a show by the White Lies Burlesque Review, belly dancing from Navah, and a performance by the Foxy Ladies.

Bras for a Cause Seoul is entering its fourth year of events, having raised more than 25 million won in total for the KBCF so far.

The money goes to provide screenings and treatment for people with limited means and helps fund research and awareness campaigns.

“If detected and treated in its early stages, over 90 percent of breast cancer cases can be cured, excepting individual differences,” KBCF president Noh Dong-young said. “That is why we are very pleased with the donations raised for Bras for a Cause events. They will help fund even more activities such as KBCF’s Pink Tours, raising awareness of the importance of women’s breast self-examinations, and treatment for breast cancer sufferers with low incomes.”

In 2013, the KBCF provided over 850 free mammograms, gave financial aid to 107 low-income women and gave research grants to 14 teams. It also sponsored a “Pink Tour” of lectures to promote breast cancer awareness given by breast cancer survivors trained at Seoul National University.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)