NEW YORK—From the multicolored leaves to the brisk weather, everything in October is surrounded by some form of adjustment, but this month is also dedicated to advocating for a much larger form of change. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when optical companies have found new ways to become more involved in the fight against breast cancer. Optical companies have released new styles and products and are encouraging their ECPs/retail accounts to help provide support for organizations including Young Survival Coalition, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, First Descents and many others. Vi
sion Monday has rounded up seven companies that are among those offering support for the cause.
Vera Bradley
The McGee Group
Once again, The McGee Group (www.mcgeegroup.com) joins the fight against cancer by presenting their annual Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Awareness collection to raise awareness for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer (www.verabradley.org). The collection offers five ophthalmic styles and four sun styles. The collection will also provide the opportunity for children to join the cause by offering two newer frames, the Helen R. style and Lana style in the Vera Bradley Kids collection.
Oakley
For every Special Editions sold from Oakley’s Breast Cancer Awareness collection, Oakley (www.oakley.com) will be supporting the cause throughout the year by contributing $20 to Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org), a nonprofit dedicated to offering resources, connections and outreach to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. The R3 collection offers a sun style and ophthalmic style with black frames and pink swirl detailing.
Dynamic Labs
Manufacturer and wholesale distributor Dynamic Labs (www.dynamiclabs.net) once again is offering a new line of products, honoring the research done to combat breast cancer during the month of October. The products include lens cleaner, cleaning cloths, a maintenance kit and drawstring pouches, all in a pink hue to promote the awareness and honor the research.
Anne Klein - Altair
During October, Anne Klein (www.altaireyewear.com) has partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) with a new, limited style in their sunglasses collection to raise awareness and support for the organization. This year, Anne Klein has pledged $50,000 to the organization regardless of sales. The new rectangle-shaped style, AK7020, is tortoise-patterned with a pink interior and made of handmade acetate. The frame also features the classic Leo Lion plaque on the temple.
Hilco
Beginning in October and continuing throughout the year, Hilco’s “Think Pink” campaign will be contributing a portion of sales made by any purchases of Hilco Breast Cancer Awareness product. Items from the collection include a “Think Pink” Boutique lens care kit and cleaners. Hilco (www.hilco.com) has already contributed more than $31,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation through the campaign.
Smith Optics
Smith Optics (www.smithoptics.com) is not only dedicating October to highlighting female athletes, but also donating to First Descents (www.firstdescents.org) a nonprofit for young adult cancer survivors offering outdoor adventure experiences. While First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, Smith Optics will also be joining them in the fight. Smith will be donating $1 for any pair of sunglasses sold online throughout the month of October.
ClearVision Optical BCBGMAXAZRIA
Since 2007, both ClearVision Optical (www.cvoptical.com/courage) and BCBGMAXAZRIA
collectively raised more than $460,000 for Susan G. Komen. Continuing their partnership, ClearVision Optical and BCBGMAXAZRIA will be supporting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (ww5.komen.org) through this month’s limited edition sunglasses sales. “We are honored to share an ongoing partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and BCBGMAXAZRIA, as well as with customers who actively support our efforts to help in this cause,” ClearVision Optical president David Friedfeld said. “Every Courage purchase is a fantastic contribution to help the fight against breast cancer. We’re proud to offer our customers the Courage to make a change.”
The new BCBGMAXAZRIA Courage (www.
cvoptical.com/courage) is a bold, triple laminate acetate sunglass and features a square-shape two-tone color frame. A simple reminder with the word Courage is lasered on the inside of the temple, symbolizing the support of the awareness. The suggested retail price is $80 and 20 percent of the proceeds from retail sales will be donated to the cause. ■