Fundraiser: Angels in Pink bustin' out

Angels in Pink founder Annette Cressy was out clothes shopping when inspiration struck for the latest fundraiser for her breast cancer charity.

Cressy, who's had a mastectomy because of breast cancer, saw a store employee throwing out the plastic forms used to display women's bathing suits, and she joked she could use one of those.

“The wheels started clicking,” she said. “I thought 'I really could use that.' I asked if they would mind saving some of them for me since they were going to be garbaging them anyway.”

Cressy reached out to eight local artists, who have in turn decorated the swimsuit forms which will be raffled off in October as part of the Angels in Pink's Busts/Bills/Bounty Raffle.

They've been decorated to look like everything from a belly dancer to a ski hill to a golf course.

Local artist Heather Topp even used paper mache to create a torso featuring breasts with four-inch-long nipples. “You know that one's been through a childbirth or two,” laughed Janna Reid, an Angels in Pink volunteer.

Prizes — including a trip to Las Vegas, cash, a spa package and even a chance to have the Bluez Brotherz perform at an event of your choice — will be paired with each piece of artwork.

Since it was founded six years ago, Angels in Pink has raised $400,000 for early detection cancer equipment, which was purchased through the Northern Cancer Foundation's Breast Cancer Equipment Fund (also founded by Cressy), as well as funded initiatives for breast cancer survivors.

The group is currently trying to raise $60,000 to purchase navigation probes used in breast cancer surgery.

Local artist Kim McKibbon, one of Cressy's golf buddies, said the inspiration for her art piece came out on the greens. Her swimsuit form is actually one of two decorated to look like a golf course.

Cressy had joked with McKibbon that if she ever had breast reconstruction surgery, she'd want breasts that look like the golf course's 18th hole, featuring perfectly-shaped mounds.

“I'm just really honoured to be participating and be part of this wonderful, wonderful cause,” McKibbon said.

The raffle kicks off Aug. 26, and tickets will be sold until Oct. 9. Tickets, which cost $10 each, are available at the Northern Cancer Foundation, at the Lasalle and Capreol chiropractic clinics or by email at [email protected] or phone 705-560-5983.