About Us

Bra Couture KC: Creating a Network of Cancer Care

It’s not about the bra…….that has been our mantra since we launched Bra Couture® KC fourteen years ago in partnership with The University of Kansas Cancer Center to support uninsured/underinsured cancer patients.

So often we hear responses about how individuals just don’t understand “the bra thing” so we want to take a moment to explain: It’s not about the bra…. it’s about the bravado of a cancer survivor to walk a 120-foot runway and the survival journey that it represents. From shaken to surety; from fearful to fierce; from unsure to unflappable…. today we are proud to say we are moving beyond the bra…. providing care for both men and women and those patients challenged with any kind of cancer.

Around 7-8 months before the event, we have the honor of working with cancer survivors as we begin to plan and prepare them for their walk on the runway. And after every event what we hear from these survivors is that they felt beautiful/strong again, they felt empowered again and this runway walk gave them a way to have a joyful experience with all of their loved ones after a long and arduous, and frightening experience of surviving cancer. Most importantly their friends and family (co-survivors) are there to celebrate with them.

This is “the bra thing” and even those of us who designed this event are energized by the healing power of the art on the runway and the models who wear this art. This healing power continues as we then take funds raised from this event into communities and service agencies that help individuals who face limited to no choices for their cancer care…. the power of your donations, your money, goes to change the outcome of a cancer journey for someone without insurance or enough insurance to cover their critical care items such as transportation for care, medication, lifesaving lymphedema garments and many other items including food.

$5M+

Raised in 15 Years

$716K

Raised in 2026

15 Years

of Service

Annual Impact Statement

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Surpassing $1M in donations to University of Kansas Cancer Center alone in 2026
Launching new cancer care centers in the Kansas City area

Our Mission

Bra Couture KC’s mission is to raise funds that provide cancer care services to uninsured and underinsured men and women in the Greater Kansas City area who are facing any type of cancer, while also addressing cancer care disparities impacting underserved urban and rural communities.

Our Annual Gala

Our signature annual event is a unique and fun auction and runway show featuring men and women cancer survivors modeling eclectic couture fashion designs to celebrate their triumph over cancer. A tribute to survivors’ fighting spirit, Bra Couture® KC donates funds to nine on-site cancer care centers and stand-alone cancer care centers in Kansas City such as the University of Kansas Cancer Center and our safety net hospital, University Health Medical Center, who support uninsured/underinsured men and women touched by all cancers.

Learn More

Our History

Bra Couture® KC was founded by Sharon Butler Payne in 2010. She was aware of a similar event in Austin and after surviving breast cancer in 2009, wanted to bring it to Kansas City. When the University of Kansas approved moving forward, they specifically wanted to create a Patients in Need Fund to cover cancer services for uninsured/underinsured cancer patients…our hearts were struck with passion.

Having The University of Kansas Cancer Center as a launch partner, the response from Kansas City was overwhelming. The first year alone raised $90,000. Initially created to support uninsured/underinsured patients at The University of Kansas Medical Center, Bra Couture® KC’s increased success has allowed us to expand services to other hospitals, cancer centers, and community organizations.

Volunteers

Bra Couture® KC is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization whose dedicated team of volunteers has consistently kept administrative costs below 10% each year. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our volunteers, generous sponsors and in-kind donors, we have surpassed $5 Million in contributions , funds that provide support and services for Kansas City’s uninsured community.

The annual Gala, which raised $760,000 in May of 2025, is done almost entirely with the support of volunteers and a dedicated board of directors. From the many, many people who assist with the production of our annual event, to the people who help year-round obtaining sponsorships, increasing awareness of our services, and advocating for those we serve. We cannot thank those volunteers enough.

Benefactors

Funds from our fundraising events directly support local organizations that we partner with to provide cancer services to uninsured/underinsured women, men, and children in the greater Kansas City area.

If you are a patient and need the services we provide visit our Contact Us page or visit the nearest Bra Couture KC supported center as these professionals will be able to counsel with you to meet your needs.

Visit our Who We Help page for details on all of our cancer services centers.

Raising funds, building hope, supporting uninsured and underinsured men and women cancer patients...one event at a time.