Nearly 40 breast cancer survivors were celebrated through Grayson County’s largest breast cancer support and awareness event on Oct. 24 at the Texoma Event Center.
Bras for a Cause 2026 is not a sad event. It is a celebration of life after a diagnosis, support from the community, a gathering of resources and providers, as well as a fundraiser for the organization behind it all, Women Rock.
”It’s a fun time,” Women Rock Founder and CEO LuAnn Daniel said last week. “I think that says it all. It fun. It’s different. It’s a great way for men who kind of get left out of the whole breast cancer circle. You know, even for the family members that get diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s hard for them to know how to give back, and this is one way that they can, although it’s getting out of their comfort zone, it’s one way that they can support someone that’s been through it or someone that’s going through it or just show in general, their support for breast cancer awareness and helping our community.
Along with a live and silent auction, Bras for a Cause includes a special fundraising event including men donning decorative bras in support of those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“We had a very nice trip to South Africa donated, so that went for good money,” Daniel described some of the auction items presented at this year’s event. “100% profit for us. We had a variety of silent auction items and some good stuff on the live auction too.”
There were nearly 400 people in attendance at the event.
”Our bookkeeper’s been sick, but we’re hoping to have about $125,000 in fundraising from it,” Daniel said.
That money will go back into Women Rock’s mission of providing support, emotional and physical to those affected by breast cancer through services and programs.
“I think in the last year, what we’ve heard from research is that overall breast cancer is on the decline, but breast cancer in younger women is increasing,” Daniel said about what changes she has seen in relation to breast cancer awareness and research. “And so, that’s kind of the demographics that reaches out to us first is women under 45. And, we’ve kind of felt like this for many years that a lot of young women in our area get breast cancer. And so now that the research has really caught up to that demographic, we’re also in an area that has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the state of Texas.”
For Texas Health region, this area is in region 3 which includes North Texas all the way down to Waco. Women Rock serves about 400-500 unique individuals every year, helps provide around 1,200 services and helps provide education to more than 2,000 each year.
“I found that out a couple years ago when we were working with the Dallas United away with one of our prize-winning programs that we have and doing a little bit of research for that, It’s like the breast cancer belt, which was a little surprising to me,” Daniel said. “But also Dallas is included in that area, so there’s a lot of people in Dallas. That may be one of the reasons why those numbers are up like that.”
Daniel also stressed the importance of self-examination.
“It’s extremely important,” she said. “Getting the mammogram every year and then self exam every month. With combined with 3D technology and tomography and mammography finds of breast cancer smaller than ever before. So having a good breast health routine.”
While education is one of the main pillars of Women Rock, on of the main focuses of the organization also has also been rebuilding.
A February 2025 fire rocked Women Rock, and the organization’s former facility was deemed a total. Less than two months later, the remains on the site were removed and by November of 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony beginning the construction of a new facility at the same site at 225 E. Houston Street in Sherman. However, since then, the plan for the future of Women Rock has changed.
“The plan was to rebuild at the same location. And cost increased so much from May of that year to like December, that it didn’t make physical sense for us to have to take out a loan, just to have an office building,” Daniel said. “So, that money is kind of in an account, accruing interest while we’re looking for something to buy that will fit our needs.
Women Rock currently operates out of the TCOG building at 1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 240 in Sherman.
“And so, trying to find something in our budget, you know, might be a slow process, but, myself, nor the board, wanted to take on debt for office space, if that makes sense,” Daniel said.
Though Bras for a Cause 2026 is in the books, those wishing to help Women Rock towards its mission or to help fund a new site for the organization can still do so. A donate button is clickable through WomenRockInc.org, by calling 903-487-2528 or visiting their current location.
”I guess the last thing I would say is: it doesn’t always take something big to help someone, you know,” Daniel said. “A lot of people don’t know how to react when someone gets diagnosed and they’re afraid they’re going to say the wrong thing. Just, you know, tell people speak from their hearts. Send a card if you’re not sure you’re going to say the right thing. Just let people know they were there and that goes a long way.”
