Brides-to-be who are still in the hunt for that perfect dream dress can turn their shopping into a philanthropic mission as well.

The Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns gives shoppers a chance to find that once-in-a-lifetime dress while making a wish come true for a patient with stage IV breast cancer.

``It is a traveling retail store with about 1,000 gowns that are donated by manufacturers and retailers and individuals,' said Barbara Raskin, senior national tour director.

The Nationwide Tour of Gowns is coming to the Hilton Deerfield Beach Aug. 28 and 29.

Every year, it travels to nearly 50 cities bringing truckloads of wedding gowns for sale. Gowns are discounted 35 to 75 percent and start at $199.

But the real goal is to raise money for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, a Portland-based nonprofit organization that grants wishes to patients battling terminal breast cancer. The group aims to grant at least one wish every week to someone fighting the disease.

``The Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour is our biggest fundraising activity,' said Raskin, who said the tour raised more than $20,000 dollars in its last visit.

It's estimated that more than 200,000 women and nearly 1,200 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone, according to the group's website.

The gown tour began in 1998 when founder Fran Hansen, who was in the bridal business, wanted to find a way to help a friend who was battling breast cancer. Hansen got together with a group of women and the tour was born.

``Forty thousand gowns and 10 years later, it is still going strong,' said Raskin, whose 91-year old mother had a double mastectomy and is a cancer survivor. The group also uses the bridal gown sale to raise breast cancer awareness among women in their 20s and 30s.

Their goal is for brides to say ``I do' not only to their grooms, but also to monthly self-exams.

The sale will also feature designer and brand name wedding gowns with retail values between $3,000 and $8,000. Discounted tiaras, veils, crinolines and other bridal accessories will also be offered.

Anyone interested in donating a gown from 2006 or later is encouraged to bring it to the sale.

You can recommend someone with late-stage breast cancer at www.MakingMemo ries.org .

We want to hear what you have to say! Comments are coming soon.

FIRST NAME:

LAST NAME:

EMAIL:

PHONE:

ZIP CODE:

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER:

Yes No

CASE DETAILS:

PLEASE TYPE THE NUMBER IN THE BOX YOU SEE BELOW

1621