Conscious party: a feel-good fashion show for cancer survivors

MODEL CITIZENS: "I was able to hang out with our models and talk with them before the show as we got ready," says fundraiser organizer Sara Laws, pictured during a mini-makeover courtesy of Belk. "It was really fun to see everyone get pampered." Photo by Jen Lepkowski

WHAT: The Hope Chest for Women’s third annual Here’s Hope Luncheon and Fashion Show fundraiser

WHERE: Asheville Event Center

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHY: Walking for exercise does wonders for the body, but for some Ashevilleans, an upcoming stroll on the catwalk may offer even more for the soul. The Here’s Hope Luncheon and Fashion Show, according to The Hope Chest for Women executive director Sara Laws, is “about giving confidence to female cancer survivors all in different stages of survivorship. We pamper our models and give them a chance to celebrate their beauty regardless of where they are in their cancer treatment.”

Participants work with a group of professionals to prepare for the big show. Belk, for example, sponsors each with wardrobe and makeup needs, including a clothing representative who helps each model find a style to match her personality. Model coordinators, makeup artists and hairstylists round out the ladies’ teams.

Also contributing to the event are a host of local businesses that have donated raffle and auction items, including a custom-made sofa, a luxury men’s watch, art pieces and plenty of gift certificates. Wild Wing Café is even offering one winner wings for a year.

Event admission includes a lunch prepared by chef Lisa Ronan of Ingles’ The Chef’s Kitchen. “Her focus for our luncheon is local and healthy, cancer-fighting foods that are seasonally grown in our community,” Laws says of the buffet-style meal. Plus, a local trio led by jazz vocalist Harry Schulz will set the mood during the afternoon affair.

Proceeds from the midday fundraiser benefit The Hope Chest’s Western North Carolina patient assistance program, which provided support to about 2,000 women with breast or gynecological cancer in 2014. During that time, the fund provided 138 women with assistance paying medical bills, fulfilled some 478 other medical and nonmedical monetary requests (medication, nutritional supplements, food, utilities, housing, transportation, etc.), presented cancer prevention education to about 1,500 people, and offered hundreds of referrals to other cancer-related support organizations nationwide.

Visit hopechestforwomen.org for more information or to purchase tickets. Admission is $50 per person, with group seating available. 

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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