Brazilian-Style of Female Philanthropy

MIAMI - Oct. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- In less than two months BrazilFoundation has raised US $65,000 for Women’s Fund, an initiative that launched last month targeting women-led initiatives and programs that focus on advancing the rights of women and girls in Brazil. Last week Jo Paes hosted the second Miami based fundraising event on behalf of the Women for Women Project, a global fundraising campaign designed by BrazilFoundation (www.brazilfoundation.org (http://www.brazilfoundation.org/)).

Donations collected during the event will support Instituto Arte de Viver Bem in São Paulo, an organization that focuses on breast cancer prevention and improving the quality of life for lower income women fighting breast cancer in Brazil. Additionally, attendees had the special opportunity to Skype with Instituto Arte de Viver Bem founder and breast cancer survivor Valeria Bacarat during the event.

Besides generating awareness for BrazilFoundation efforts, the Women for Women Project amplifies donor support by leveraging existing networks. “I called upon my most loyal soldiers, my own circle of friends, women who make a difference in my own life and in their communities” explained Paes, who is a longtime supporter of the Foundation’s annual gala in Miami.

Director of Fundraising for BrazilFoundation, Cristina Brulay hosted the first Women for Women Project fundraiser at her home in Coconut Grove on September 15th. Brulay helps to organize co-chairs to coordinate local events in their areas. She points out that “giving women the opportunity to create and host their own events will help the Foundation raise awareness among new communities and advance the impact it has in Brazil”.

The event was a luncheon that raised US $20,000 to benefit Casa da Santa Ana a women-led organization helping the elderly in Cidade de Deus (City of God, Rio de Janeiro). Maria de Lourdes Braz, founder of Casa da Santa Ana, and XII BrazilFoundation Gala NY honoree was also in attendance. Maria’s organization offers comprehensive care for the elderly, trains caregivers and supports youth interaction with the elderly through cultural events.

Co-Chair of the Women for Women Project in Miami, Claudia D’orey, spoke during the luncheon to encourage attendee donations, and following the generous outcome she stated, “The Women for Women campaign will be a huge success. Today was just the first step. Let’s do it! Because courageous and resilient women such as Maria de Lourdes deserve our dedication.”  Claudia declared.

President and CEO, Patricia Lobaccaro encourages a onetime donation of $1,000 into the Women’s Fund or 12 monthly payments of $83.33 over the course of a year. During the 12^th annual BrazilFoundation benefit gala in New York City on September 18th she spoke to attendees about the importance of this program. Lobaccaro stated, “when women thrive, families thrive, and when families thrive, communities thrive”. She went on to inform guests that the first fundraising event in Miami was a great success. “The Women’s Fund was created not only to promote philanthropy among women but to also transform women's social issues in Brazil” Lobaccaro explained, she went on to mention “this project will bring women leaders together in support of organizations that advance economic opportunity, leadership and rights for women in Brazil”. That night (Thursday, September 18^th) the gala raised $40,000 for the Women’s Fund.

Now until IV BrazilFoundation Gala Miami on January 31^st, Women for Women Project fundraising events will be hosted nationwide and in Brazil. The next Women for Women Project event is scheduled for October 23rd in Boston and will be hosted by celebrated swimsuit designer Sinesia Karol.

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About Instituto Arte de Viver Bem (São Paulo / SP): Preventing breast cancer and improving the quality of life for low-income women undergoing treatment. Breast cancer mortality rates are still high in Brazil. It is estimated that there will be 57,120 new diagnoses (56.1 cases per 100,000 women) in 2014 in Brazil. In fact, it is the most deadly cancer among women in Brazil, with the Southeast and South regions holding the highest mortality rates. Many of these deaths are due to delayed diagnosis. Those undergoing treatment suffer devastating effects from chemotherapy, especially low-income women who do not have access to proper care. The Instituto works to prevent and fight breast cancer, as well as improve the quality of life of women in treatment by holding campaigns and lectures, and by seeking to improve the quality of mammography in the country. In 2013, it opened the Casa da Mulher, a space offering legal support, nutritional and psychological counseling, physical therapy, and a “beauty room” for women undergoing treatment and their families.

IMPACT

With support from the BrazilFoundation Women’s Fund, the project will:

• Provide care for 220 low-income women who have breast cancer, including legal and psychological counseling, physical therapy and activities that promote self-esteem;

• Offer quality food for women in hospitals who cannot afford to eat well;

• Offer guidance and referrals to health services for women with suspected or newly-diagnosed breast cancer.

NUMBERS

• Care for 220 women with breast cancer

• Guidance and referrals for women recently diagnosed

• Physical therapy, nutrition and self-esteem for women in treatment

"We need more professionals in the current public health system; there is a 6 month delay to schedule a mammogram. Late diagnoses lead to higher mortality rates. "  Valeria Baraccat Gyy, Founder of IAVB

About BrazilFoundation: BrazilFoundation mobilizes resources for ideas and actions that transform Brazil. In 13 years, the foundation has raised over $30 million in grants that have been invested in Brazilian social initiatives in the areas of Education, Health, Culture, Socioeconomic Development and Human Rights. The funds raised enabled the BrazilFoundation identify, fund and monitor more than 350 social projects in 26 Brazilian states, directly benefiting thousands of people.