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Brides Get Big Discounts On Designer Dresses For A Good Cause

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Designer wedding dresses were available at discounts so deep that brides traveled hundreds of miles to get first dibs.

As CBS 2's Janelle Burrell reported all of the money made on Saturday would go to help sick women.

Bride-to-be Lisa Zappalla made the trip from Virginia to the Bronx with her mother Allyne. She could have bought a dress in her home town but this sale hit close to her heart.

"I really like the idea of my money going toward someone who could really benefit," she said.

Benefits from the pop-up shop, run by Brides Against Breast Cancer, will be used to help cancer patients.

The organization resells donated wedding gowns across the country.

"We provide sewing classes, nutrition classes, exercise classes, counseling classes," Katie Posivak explained.

"We're going to find the dress that does work for you. Because it's part of a cause and you know what it's going back to," volunteer, Lisa Winkley said.

Shoppers told CBS 2's Burrell that they felt good about doing business at the pop-up shop.

"If I'm able to purchase a dress that actually does some good too that would make me feel better," Arelis Cintron said.

Brides had their choice of hundreds of brand new or once worn dresses that are now between 25 and 85-percent off.

For the Zapallas the meaning behind the program was personal.

"Lisa's grandmother died of cancer about 20 years ago now. So, it's kind of like bringing her into the celebration even though she's no there because we can give back," Allyne said.

Lisa was determined to find a dress at the event so she could continue the circle of giving back.

Brides Against Breast Cancer has sales at 120 locations across the country every year. They expect to raise more than $2-million this year.

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