Del Ray Vintage And Flea Market Raises Awareness For Breast Cancer

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Del Ray Vintage and Flea Market returns for its monthly event in October and will spotlight breast cancer awareness, a personal cause for the co-founder.

The vintage and flea market occurs year round every second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon and Bellefonte Avenues. October's event will take place Saturday, Oct. 8. Along with the regular market vendors, the event will feature "Mary's Wings," a pair of giant angel wings from the National Breast Center Foundation that has been the symbol of the Walk to Bust Cancer fundraiser. The wings were painted by Mary Edwards, who died from metastasized breast cancer in January 2022. The market's co-founder Amy Sills Eggers, is currently getting treatment for breast cancer.

The angel wings will be available for photos and to raise awareness about the fundraiser, breast cancer risks, and genetic testing.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which seeks to raise awareness about the cancer and ensure women are informed about screening. Breast cancer is considered the most common cancer in women, affecting one in eight U.S. woman at some point in their lives, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. An estimated 287,500 invasive breast cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. during 2022, and an estimated 43,550 women will die from breast cancer in 2022.

The market features vendors selling vintage, antique, thrift and artisan items as well as local food trucks, community outreach programs and elementary school performances. One regular feature is the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's "Waggin' Wheels" mobile adoption unit. Adoptable animals featured at the event may include dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

The market was started in 2019 by Eggers and Dr. Lauren Fisher, two friends and business owners. Fisher is also the current president of the Del Ray Business Association. Domino, a home magazine, named Del Ray's market the best in Virginia in its summer 2022 issue.

For more information, visit DelRayVintageFlea.com.