During the month of October a bra is no longer underwear. The Eatonton Breast Cancer support group Pray, Hope and Believe is raising awareness of the help and hope available to women who are survivors or sufferers of breast cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Toni Davis, a member and founder of the support group, noticed a need for support in the Eatonton and Putnam County area.

“When Shannon Minchey from Pretty in Pink came to the support group to do a presentation about prosthetics, she gave me a calendar idea for 2012. People from around the community decorate a bra and each bra represents a different month. Everyone from the group loved the idea and wanted to do a community event,” Davis said.

The group’s goal is to raise awareness that there is support in the area for women suffering from breast cancer or those who are survivors of breast cancer. Davis launched the idea all over the community and so far, the response has been positive.

“Everyone I’ve spoken with has been excited beyond belief. Georgia College [in Milledgeville] is also going to do an event to raise money for the cancer survivors in Milledgeville from the Faith, Hope and Love support group. Next year, we want to raise money for cancer survivors as well, but this year it is all about raising awareness for our group,” Davis said.

Submissions of bras began Monday. Bras can be decorated with any type of material and will be on display the month of October. Those interested in submitting decorated bras should bring the decorated bra to Pretty in Pink Boutique located at 103 S. Jefferson Ave. in Eatonton. There is no charge for a submission or a vote. On Sunday, the Pretty in Pink storefront will be completely changed to showcase the bras. Beginning Oct. 3, residents are encouraged to walk into the store to cast their vote for the “Prettiest Bra in Eatonton.”

The votes will be tallied Oct. 29, and the bra with the most votes will be worn Oct. 31.

“Joey Davis, the vice president of Farmers and Merchants Bank located in downtown Eatonton, will wear the bra off and on all day. It is going to be a fun day. It is going to be an annual event, and we can’t wait to see how many submissions we have,” Davis said. “This year it is all about getting awareness out about our group. We’re finding that a lot of people didn’t realize that we were here, but we are and we are here to help.”

The Georgia College Spectrum PR group has coordinated with the campus GIVE Center in order to continue the “Bras for a Cause” for breast cancer awareness. The event will help the Georgia College and Milledgeville communities honor local breast cancer survivors with an event called, “Survivors in Pink.” All of the proceeds raised will go toward making “Survivors in Pink” as special as it can be for the citizens in the community who have battled breast cancer.

Tables hosting this fundraiser will be in front of the Arts & Sciences building on the Georgia College campus Oct. 4 and Oct.12. The fundraising event will take place Oct. 18 from 11 a.m until 2 p.m. on front campus where the bras will be hung and individuals will be able to vote on which decorated bra they like best. A $1 vote will help the judges tally the community’s favorite bra. Three winners will be chosen for the best-decorated bra and will receive prizes. The bras will then be auctioned off during the Survivors in Pink event that will take place Oct.27.

To participate in the fundraiser, a $10 donation is required, which will provide each individual with a plain bra to decorate as well as a submission form to turn in.

Kendall Brennan is a senior at GC who has been working hard on the event. The cause is close to her heart because of a friend’s mother’s struggle.

“Breast cancer awareness affects all women. When a friend of mine’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, I know it was difficult for her. She is a survivor now. This really hits home for so many women because so many are being diagnosed at a younger age. Some of the women from the Faith, Hope and Love support group have been helping us raise awareness and they are lovely women. We want to provide the support group with an occasion that is really special and just for them,” Brennan said.

All bra submissions are due Oct. 17, and submission forms along with the $10 fee and the decorated bra must be turned in at the fundraising tables that will be on campus in front of the fountain.

For more information about either event, contact Toni Davis at (770) 468-8380 or Kendall Brennan at (678) 873-8280.