Lara’s League Hosts 'Big Pink' Yard Sale, Flea Market

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled because of weather.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as the month enters its final week, there is still at least one way to support the fight against the disease.

Anyone looking for a bargain or hoping to eliminate clutter, should plan to attend “The Big Pink Flea Community Yard Sale and Market” from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 29. Lara’s League organized the event, which takes place at in the Manor House parking lot.

Lara’s League was created in 2009 after Ashburn resident Lara Hopewell was diagnosed with breast cancer – after the diagnosis, her husband, Rob, created a Facebook page and called it Lara’s League. Then, a group of friends who had previously planned to walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in the spring of 2010 decided to walk in her honor and name the team Lara’s League.

Kerry Smith, one of the team members, said that once the team was formed in Hopewell’s honor, the group quickly grew from six to more than 30 people. They raised more than $80,000 in just a few months.

“For me, being involved in Lara's League is an honor and it has been a great experience,” Smith said. “Now that Lara's League has become a true 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so much more can be done in helping to raise money for research and find a cure for breast cancer and other cancers.”

As for Hopewell, her treatment is progressing well, she has a positive outlook and she continues to participate in activities that fight cancer and raise awareness about the disease.

“I’m happy to say I’ve finished my cancer treatment and I’m cancer free and doing great,” she said. “My eyes are wide open now to what it means to be diagnosed with cancer, so when I say we need to find a cure it takes on a whole new meaning.”

Among the areas of research are treatments that do not deprive patients of their livelihoods.

“We urgently need to find a cure and better, less brutal treatments,” she said. “There is amazing work being done by cancer researchers and organizations. We want to help them through our funding. Everyone can truly contribute to this cause. We are hoping the Big Pink Flea Yard Sale and Market will make a great deal of money for breast cancer research and allow the Belmont Country Club residents to recycle some of their household items. It will be a win-win for everyone.”

Lara‘s League holds a variety of fundraising events throughout the year. The group held Pilates for Pink on Oct. 19, and now looks forward to this weekend’s event.

“We’ve got big goals,” Hopewell said. “We want to be one of the top five fundraising teams for the Avon Walk again so we will have a lot of fundraising events running up to the walk in the spring. Stay tuned.”

Members of the Belmont Community are able to reserve space for the sale for $30 by contacting LarasLeague@gmail.com.

The event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine.