Strut Your Style Fashion Show & Luncheon models
walk the runway for a reason
Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith
They are wives, mothers, sisters and grandmothers.
They are leading business women in Mid-Missouri and volunteers in the community.
They are strong, positive, beautiful and determined. They are breast cancer survivors.
About 20 women, along with a couple men, proudly walk the runway to showcase the latest in winter clothing trends and elegant evening wear from Mid-Missouri businesses as part of the annual Strut Your Style Fashion Show & Luncheon, which will be held for the fifth year from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.
However, these models are there to celebrate their battles with cancer and their survivorship, give hope to those diagnosed with this disease and most importantly raise money and awareness for the Community Breast Care Project.
(Photo by Julie Smith)
Participants at the fourth Strut Your Style Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Capitol Plaza Hotel make one final pass on the runway at the conclusion of the annual event. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Community Breast Care Project, whose mission is to provide education, financial and emotional support regarding awareness of breast health and breast cancer treatments to residents of Cole and surrounding counties.
Since 2007, the Community Breast Care Project has helped women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in Cole, Callaway, Osage, Miller, Morgan and Moniteau counties, and most recently Camden County. That spurred the event’s lead organizer Sherrie Brant to get involved four years ago.
“The Community Breast Care Project helps patients individually with a $500 donation. The patient may use this money as they wish – wigs, rides to the hospital for treatment, etc.,” she said.
The Community Breast Care Project has distributed more than $140,000 to those in need. Strut Your Style contributes to about 40 breast cancer recipients in the program annually, donating $22,000 alone from last year’s event.
The community has responded to that need, and the event has grown in attendance, filling more than 300 seats last year. While browsing through the silent auction, guests can also talk with medical experts from SSM Health, JCMG, Capital Region Medical Center and other healthcare providers.
After lunch is served, the fashion show begins. The models walk the T-shaped runway, showcasing the latest trends from Mid-Missouri businesses including Dillards, Samuel’s Tuxedo, Chico’s and American Shoe. Jefferson City physicians, oncologists and surgeons refer breast cancer survivors to Community Breast Care Project, and those individuals are told about possible participation in the show. Those same medical professionals often serve as escorts to the models during the event.
“We see these beautiful ladies (and men) from all walks of life and all ages looking fantastic and telling you, you can survive,” Brant said.
For more information about the Strut Your Style event, visit facebook.com/StrutYourStyleFashionShow or call Dawn at 573-896-5500. For more information about the Community Breast Care Project, visit communitybreastcareproject.org.
Meet four of these amazing breast cancer survivors – Nancy K. Gratz, Lori Hoelscher, Liz Morrow and Pam Schnieders.
Click here to read Nancy K. Gratz’s story.
Click here to read Lori Hoelscher’s story.
Click here to read Liz Morrow’s story.
Click here to read Pam Schnieders’ story.
Click here to read a special tribute to the late Strut Your Style model and breast cancer survivor Dana Kliethermes.
The post ‘I’m a Survivor’ appeared first on HER Magazine.