A number of stars — among them Michael Buble, Robin Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Barry Manilow, Suzanne Somers, Bette Midler, Nickelback, Randy Bachman, Hedley and the Vancouver Canucks — sent bras or other signed items to be auctioned at Bras for a Cause. Buble’s gift basket containing all his CDs, a bra, poster, picture and playing cards, all autographed by the B.C. singer, went for $1,350, the second highest amount for any of the silent or live auction bids.

The Rest Your Head on Our Pillows bra, submitted by the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel in Vancouver, went for $1,800. The innovative bra came with a night for two in the presidential suite, and dinner and breakfast. The Marriott chain donated more than $6,000 in hotel stays. The contributions of the celebrities were easily matched by the efforts of dozens of local businesses and individuals who each paid $100 to donate a bra.

The number of items from high-profile people was the result for the most part of the connections and hard work of the Soroptimists. Brosnan’s signed bra and framed photo came about when Misty Wojak, daughter of Soroptimist Edwina Lounsbury, found herself in the right place at the right time. Wojak was in the Sutton Place Hotel the evening before the gala when she spotted Brosnan. Her friend, Tena, was dispatched to get a bra while Wojak chatted to Brosnan, explaining the cause. Brosnan, who is filming a movie in Langley, gracefully signed the bra, and posed for a photo which was added to the live auction.

Part of the money will be spent on a high-dose radiation unit for women with gynaecological cancers, and part to the Patient Comforts Fund which will help not only those with cancer, but their families. The message of how cancer can be avoided was delivered by two physicians from the Fraser Valley Cancer Centre in Surrey. Dr. Melodie Herbert and Dr. Avis Picton shed their white smocks to present a show-stopping song-and-dance routine that had the crowd jiggling in their seats.

With the help of the Secret Service, the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver secured former President Bill Clinton’s signature on his autobiography, My Life, which was auctioned off. Diane Warawa, wife of Langley’s Conservative MP Mark Warawa, made a rosette-fringed bra, each cup decorated with the Maple Leaf. The Warawas also donated dinner for two at the restaurant of the winning bidder’s choice.

A Los Angeles music producer who owns a home in B.C. was responsible for snagging Midler’s bra, Somers’ Thighmaster, and Manilow’s sheet music for One Voice, the latter going for $800 to Langley City fire chief Jim McGregor, who wrote a poem especially for the occasion. Radio station 1410 personality Val Cole, who was the MC, and auctioneer Tom Wallis of Elite Bailiff, donated their services. Singer Jennifer Moran, and Elvis and Joan Rivers impersonators, entertained.

Lounsbury said that the success of Bras for a Cause was due in large part to the co-operation of the entire community and the contributions of so many people. The event, she said, “was the hottest ticket intown.”

As an outsider looking in, Lounsbury’s husband, Tim, was impressed by the work of the Soroptimists. “I’ve never seen such a collective group of volunteers work so hard,” he said. “My Rotary Club is jealous.”

Noreen Straker acknowledged that pulling off the event took a lot of work. “But you get energized by the enthusiasm and excitement, not only of your own club members but the people in the community who joined in, did bras, or contributed,” she said.

The push is on for the Soroptimists to carry on with the tradition they began a year ago. But now, say Lounsbury and Straker, the focus turns to the annual Lobster Mania on May 27. For tickets, call Straker at (604)888-9409.

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