Designer Bag in Aid of Breast Cancer

Luxury department store Brown Thomas has teamed up with internationally renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) to create an exclusive tote bag for the 2008 Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Ireland campaign (FTBC). All proceeds will go to Action Breast Cancer (a programme of the Irish Cancer Society) and Europa Donna Ireland (raising awareness of breast cancer issues in Ireland).

Now in its 4th year, the FTBC campaign has gone from strength to strength in Ireland and internationally through the sale of the bull's eye target t-shirts over the last 3 years. This year’s limited edition bag is a global exclusive and hyped to be the must-have bag for summer. It features an embroidered bull's eye target at the heart of the bag and carries DVF's distinctive signature. Incredibly versatile, it can be used for shopping, going to the gym or the beach, or as an overnight bag.

Speaking about the campaign, Diane von Furstenberg, said: "The FTBC global initiative is essential in raising awareness of the prevalence of cancer and the urgent need for action. We have all be touched by it personally or have had a loved one affected. The word alone provokes compassion and solidarity. It is our responsibility to do all that we can to inspire people to get involved."

The FTBC campaign aims to help women concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer gain access to reliable health information and quality health care, and to support education and outreach programmes. Since its launch in 1994, it has raised over $50 million for distribution to breast cancer charities in 13 countries.

The DVF tote bag is exclusively available at Brown Thomas and BT2 stores from Friday, 25 th April and retails as €45.

For more information:

National Breast Cancer Helpline 1800 30 90 40 or visit www.cancer.ie/action.

www.europadonnaireland.ie.

Posted Monday 28th April 2008