Bras for a Cause to raise money for Breast Cancer Foundation

Some unusual underwear will go on sale in aid of breast cancer support in Seoul over the next few weeks.

From candy-covered and flowery designs to surreptitious wine-sipping devices, bras of all kinds will be auctioned in two events in aid of the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation.

This is part of an annual effort by Bras for a Cause, run by expat Abigail Flores, to help the charity each year.

In 2012, the KBCF provided over 700 free mammograms, and gave financial aid to 96 low-income women and research grants to 13 teams. Of the 58 aid recipients so far this year, six are foreign nationals.

The foundation also sponsors the Pink Tour each year, in which breast cancer survivors travel to rural areas to talk about breast cancer issues.

“They don’t want to scare people about breast cancer and give them statistics. They want to have a more positive approach, saying that you should check yourself regularly,” explained Flores.

Flores had previously raised money each year for various causes with her hashing group, and after a personal scare she decided to make breast cancer her cause.

She has been running the events for three years now, raising 11 million won ($10,300) last year for the charity.

Each year people donate bras that they have decorated, which are then auctioned off. A handful of bras have already been sold, raising just over 2.5 million won.

Ten more will be auctioned off at “Booze for Boobs” on Friday, in which a group will move from bar to bar, competing in games at each one and auctioning the bras. Those who complete the “boob crawl” will be entered into a lucky draw.

A main event will sell the remaining bras on Nov. 2, with supporting entertainment from the The White Lies Burlesque Revue, belly dancing group Navah, and hula hoop performer Lady Tornado. Other items, including T-shirts and chocolate boobs will also be sold, with all proceeds going to the KBCF.

The Boob Crawl starts 8 p.m. Friday at Sin Bin in Itaewon and costs 5,000 won to join.

The main auction will be held Nov. 2 at the Bull and Barrel, also in Itaewon, from 6 p.m. Entry is 10,000 won, including a pink ribbon and a raffle ticket.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)