Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Laga handbags have always been more than a fashion statement. The beautiful, one of a kind handbags are custom made by women who survived the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia. Countless lives were destroyed after the terrible disaster. Roy and Louise van Broekhuizen founded Laga Designs International in order to give survivors a chance to rebuild their lives and support their families. Laga is proud to offer fashion handbags that are not only unique but also give hope to those in need.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month, you can buy a Laga handbag to help tsunami survivors support their families as well as support breast cancer awareness and research efforts. Roy van Broekhuizen has lost two sisters to breast cancer and feels very strongly for the cause. Although many people know someone who has died from breast cancer, losing two members of one’s immediate family is especially heartbreaking. Carrying around a pink handbag is a great way to show your support for those affected by breast cancer. Laga has many functional yet fashionable handbags featuring pink designs. Many businesses show their support this month by selling pink items and donating a portion of the profits to breast cancer treatment and research. During October, Laga is offering a collection of specially priced handbags in pink. Ten percent of your purchase will go towards fighting breast cancer in America. This funding helps to ensure quality care for breast cancer survivors as well as fund research into finding a cure.

One of Laga’s featured items this month is the pink Pulih handbag. Pulih means “recover” in Indonesian. This handbag is a great choice if you are looking for a smaller handbag that is perfect for either daytime or evening. The bag is beautifully embroidered and has a double-zippered closure. The bag is normally sold for $49 but is on sale during October for $39. The Pulih handbag is just one of many featured pink bags on sale this month at www.laga-handbags.com/handbags-in-pink.html.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985. The main focus of the month-long event was to promote mammograms as the best way to fight breast cancer in its earliest stages. In addition, there are many lifestyle choices a person can make to decrease the chance that they will get breast cancer. For example, eating lots of green vegetables as well as a low fat diet have been shown in studies to decrease the chances of getting breast cancer. Today, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized around the world. Fundraisers and events held during October raise millions for breast cancer research and prevention. You can join the fight today and make a difference simply by carrying a pink handbag!

An Exciting Year for Laga Designs

After one look at a Laga handbag, one can immediately tell that it is no ordinary bag. Not only are the designs striking and beautiful, they are individually handmade by survivors of the devastating tsunami that struck Indonesia in 2004. Laga handbags feature unique patterns and designs that are native to the province of Aceh, passed down from generation to generation. The one of a kind bags are a way for tsunami survivors in Indonesia to share their culture with the world while earning a living that allows them to support themselves and their families.

On December 26, 2004, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history struck off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. An earthquake and subsequent tsunamis killed over 285,000 people and destroyed the lives of countless others. Aceh, Indonesia was the closest major city to the earthquake’s epicenter. After the disaster, Roy van Broekhuizen was asked by his church to lead a trip to Indonesia to bring medical teams and funds during the initial relief crisis phase. After several trips to Indonesia, Roy, along with his wife Louise van Broekhuizen, founded Laga Designs International as a way to help survivors rebuild their lives. The company is dedicated to providing income and a secure future for as many victims of the disaster as possible. When Laga first started, there were only 12 women making the handbags. Since then, the company has exploded with orders. Today, Laga Designs is proud to employ over 300 tsunami survivors. They hope to expand further as the demand for the beautiful handbags increases.

2010 turned out to be a very exciting year for Laga when Malaak Compton-Rock, a social activist who wrote the book, If it Takes a Village, Build One, began to work with Roy and Louise. Malaak recommended Laga handbags to be featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show because she thought that Laga story was a great example of what she wrote her book about. The Laga handbags as well as the story behind them were presented by Malaak on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. Although the segment was less than a minute, orders for Laga handbags began pouring in. Additionally, airing on Oprah gave Laga the opportunity for more coverage through other media. Since the handbags were presented on Oprah, the Laga team has been hard at work to fill all the orders they have received. Although they are very busy, they feel truly blessed to be given such a great opportunity.

Laga has something for everyone! Priced as low as $15, Laga’s exquisite fashion handbags are beautiful and affordable. In addition, Laga offers small and large travel bags, backpacks, wallets and more in many different colors and designs. You can find more information about Laga products at www.laga-handbags.com.