The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has pledged $10 million to fund breast cancer research at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.

The latest gift continues funding from the Fort Wayne based charity, which is an arm of the Vera Bradley handbag company. Three previous gifts from the foundation, dating back to 1998, also totaled $10 million.

“Generosity and commitment like that from the Vera Bradley Foundation are what will make the difference in this disease,” said Dr. Craig Brater, dean of the IU School of Medicine, in a prepared statement. “These gifts touch women every day, not just in Indiana, but all over the world.”

Money from Vera Bradley has helped IU's cancer center hire 10 researchers, increasing its total team to 34. Those 34 researchers have secured other grant funding that brings in more than $10 million every year.

To recognize of the foundation’s past gifts, IU recently named medical research laboratories in its new Walther Hall building after the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.