Raising awareness to a cause never goes out of style. It can also be very fashionable. What the co-owners of WINGS Artistic Jewelry didn't count on was how profitable it would be for their cause and how much fulfillment they would get  from helping.

The two crystal beaded bracelets are worth thousands of dollars, both designed by Amy Arndt,  founder of WINGS jewelry based in Sioux Falls, marketed by her business partner and co-owner Lisa Uhlir. Both symbolize cancer awareness and it's like wearing badge of honor. 

Amy Arndt says, "First I was asked to make one for breast cancer awareness as I was designing one, my Grandma passed away from cancer. It wasn't  breast cancer so I wanted one that would symbolize all cancer. Cancer awareness in general. "

Thousands of bracelets later,  they raised $165,000 in two years for those two bracelets. Amy says, "It didn't feel right to make a bracelet and sell it and not have the money go somewhere."

100% of the proceeds go to the Avera McKennan Foundation and local cancer survivors.
  
Jen Cisar is the Vice President of the Avera Mckennan Foundation. She says, "There have been so many more breast cancer survivors and general cancer survivors who have been able to receive treatment, who have had access to funds to travel to and from Sioux Falls who had financial support when they're getting treatment and there isn't a way to measure that. Thank you doesn't seem like enough but it's made a big impact in their lives everyday."

The two bracelets are retired now,  but the WINGS women have designed a new line for the Foundation with the hopes of raising a quarter of a million dollars. Amy says, "It became a symbol of life living on."

Co-owner Lisa Uhlir says, "I delivered one a couple of days ago to a friend of mine who lost her mom a few months ago to pancreatic cancer and when I took it in to her said that's my mom. I will tell you the reward touched me beyond words."

You can find the new collection of  WINGS cancer awareness jewelry in the Avera McKennan store in the Avera Cancer Institute in Sioux Falls. You can also buy on-line go to: www.averamckennanfoundation.org or www.wingsstudio.com

 The Race Against Breast Cancer is May 11th. It starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Avera McKennan Fitness Center.