It was a fun-filled night of fashionable females at the second annual Road to Hope Fashion Show Fundraiser at the Athabasca Seniors Centre last Friday.
Co-host Annie Syryda said this year they were able to raise $3,589 in cash and cheque donations and door prize ticket sales alone, almost twice the money raised last year.
Syryda’s co-host Karen Wintonyk said it was important for her to get involved with Road To Hope especially knowing the money goes to support local people like neighbours, family, and friends and not just a national cause without a face.
“It’s a very worthy cause and I knew (Road To Hope transportation coordinator) Madena Reimer and the work she was doing and I wanted to be a part of that and be able to help any way I could,” Wintonyk said. “This fashion show is for women and it’s fun but it also brings more awareness to breast cancer and Road To Hope. We are helping to support a local charity that helps to support others by providing someone going through cancer with a companion and the help that they need.”
At the fundraiser, Reimer asked one of the Road To Hope drivers and one of the clients to speak to the audience so they could all better understand the difference Road To Hope makes in the lives of those who need it. Lyndi Mills is a wife, a mother of four young children and a cancer survivor who shared her story for the almost 150 women in attendance at the fashion show.
“When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer they told me it had spread to my lymphnodes and then I had to go through intensive chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation followed by one year of maintenance and tests after,” Mills said. “All my preparing for the worst wasn’t good enough and I had no idea what the worst was.
“After six months of trying to do everything on my own I gave in and knew I just wasn’t good enough, so I called Madena. She was the best and made me feel normal when I wasn’t. Without Road To Hope I don’t know what I would have done. I cherish the time the drivers took out of their busy lives to help me out and share interesting, personal and sometimes inappropriate but funny stories with me. I can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for me.”
All of the items shown by the six models were available for purchase including the jewelry, bags, and makeup worn by the models as well. With $3,589 raised, Reimer said she is so thankful for the continuing and gracious support the community has shown for Road To Hope and all its volunteers and clients.
“There are so many reasons for this show and the women in the community have come together to bring awareness to Road To Hope and all that we do,” Reimer said. “Cancer affects everybody and anybody can be touched by it. This fashion show just shows me how much the community supports what we do and I am just so grateful. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
