This Old Bag, The Power of the Purse: A Huge Success for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund

On October 21, 2011, San Francisco’s St. Regis Hotel hosted the 7^th annual gala and silent auction to benefit the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, This Old Bag:  The Power of the Purse.  Over 450 guests had the opportunity to bid on over 250 spectacular bags donated by couture designers, local philanthropists, retailers, as well as autographed bags from world-famous athletes, entertainers, and some of Hollywood’s A-list actors.

OJ Shansby, glamorous style icon, trustee of the San Francisco Ballet, and tireless San Francisco philanthropist, donated a vintage Prada alligator doctor’s bag.  Several years ago, Mrs. Shansby emptied her closets and donated more than a dozen designer handbags to This Old Bag.  This year, she outdid herself with a bag valued at $10,000.  The classic Prada is quite the rarity – a very limited number of these bags are available in such mint condition. Its classic lines and color make it a timeless pure.

This Old Bag Sponsor and Host Committee member Judith Branch went paddle to paddle against Breast Cancer Emergency Fund Board President Cynthia Hester during the Live Auction to procure the handbag. The bidding escalated quickly to nearly $5,000 when Hester deferred to Ms. Branch who now add the bag to her collection which also includes a classic vintage Hermes Kelly bag donated by Elizabeth Thieriot to last year’s event.

Needless to say, This Old Bag:  The Power of the Purse was a great success for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, raising $200,000 for low-income women battling breast cancer.

More about the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund

The Breast Cancer Emergency Fund provides immediate financial assistance to low-income women battling breast cancer when they are too sick to work. We serve over 450 people annually in San Francisco, Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties. Since 2001, BCEF has provided over one million dollars in assistance to help people maintain financial stability during a devastating illness.

Photographer:  Drew Altizer

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