"Purses for a Purpose" raises money for girls with juvenile diabbetes

Jaclyn Salera, '09, dug up over 20 old purses in her closet while spring cleaning, but she couldn't find it in herself to trash them just yet.

Instead, she decided to give these bags a second chance; she donated them to a program, created by Katy Yavorek, '10, that helps girls with juvenile diabetes.

Yavorek recently pitched "Purses for a Purpose" to her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and began the first annual collection of new and lightly used purses. The program was designed to help girls with juvenile diabetes feel more comfortable and fashionable by carrying their life-saving supplies in a new bag.

The idea of a purse drive seemed especially appropriate since the chapter's main philanthropic focus is juvenile diabetes research.

"I'm excited we're doing something [for juvenile diabetes] in the spring semester because usually there are more social events in the spring," said Rachael Banford '09, chapter president of Alpha Gamma Delta. "We need to keep our philanthropy going year round-that's what philanthropy should be."

So far, 180 bags have been donated and several more are expected to be collected.

Yavorek's inspiration for the purse collection came from her cousin Lauren, 11, of Highland Falls, N.Y. After being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 10, Lauren had to adjust to her new lifestyle, which included counting carbohydrates, abstaining from certain snacks, and avoiding McDonald's.

"It affected the whole family," Yavorek said. "Her whole life changed."

Lauren also had to start carrying around her bulky supplies, such as insulin, test strips, and glucose monitors, which only added to the difficulty of trying to "fit in" at an already stressful age.

Lauren's mother, a pediatric doctor, thought that having a stylish bag to store all those necessities would make things easier for her daughter.

"It wasn't just like treating another patient," Yavorek said. "This was her daughter."

So last spring, she took her on a mini-shopping spree. Lauren was allowed to pick any purse in the entire mall, so she went with a denim one with patches.

No, not the latest Louis Vuitton or Coach bag. She wanted what any other 10-year-old girl would have wanted--a denim one with patches.

Lauren's shopping experience was unique, however, because she had a true purpose for this new purse. Yavorek wanted to bring this gift to others like Lauren, and make things easier for girls going through the same struggle.

Yavorek has been running the collection in coordination with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), specifically Child Life Specialist Samantha Walters, who referred to "Purses for a Purpose" as a "completely novel idea." CHOP will be responsible for distributing the bags to girls in the area.

"We've had participation from all of the sororities on campus…my roommate and I just spent the past hour and a half sorting and counting purses," Yavorek said.

Salera, a sister of Alpha Gamma Delta, is glad she made the decision to contribute.

"It's better than throwing them away; it's finding a good use for them" said Salera. "I think it's great. We should extend [the collection] next year to have a greater turnout."

In the future, Yavorek hopes for expansion.

"I really hope we get donations from corporations to put diabetes equipment in the bags." said Yavorek.

Anyone interested in donating a purse is encouraged to contact Katy Yavorek by e-mail at kathryn.yavorek@sju.edu.