Felipe Macias, 6, leans on the shoulder of his sister, Nadia Macias, 5, during their walk down the cat walk at rehearsal for the Harvesting Hope Fashion Show that features cancer survivors as models. Photo by Brian Corley
Harvesting Hope is a fashion show, a benefit and a celebration of life for those who are fighting and surviving cancer.
Staged at the Carson City Nugget, the show features about 23 models and cancer survivors from 7 to 70.
The event will benefit Carson-Tahoe Hospital's cancer center to be built near the new facility in northwest Carson City. Few register more enthusiasm for this, the second annual event, than Carson-Tahoe Foundation spokeswoman Pam Graber.
"These models have faced their own mortality and won. It has unquestionably changed them," she said.
"This is a celebration of cancer survivorship and working with these people is a remarkable experience. For people with health concerns of this magnitude, daily problems seem so trivial. Their entire lives have changed." The event includes lunch, a silent auction and a list of raffle prizes, including two round-trip tickets anywhere Southwest Airlines flies, a weekend for two at Walker River Ranch and a painting by Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa.
A number of pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmith Kline, Ortho Biotech, Amgen and Novartis, have sponsored the event in addition to a number of local oncologists. In addition to contributions, the physicians will provide the ushering.
Fashion model, teacher and mentor Beverly Willard, together with her assistant Betty Hegarty, spent hours schooling the models, supervising the fittings and coordinating the event.
"I'm working with people who may be self-conscious or shy," Willard said. "But when we're done, they're walking tall, proud and relaxed. Just seeing how much better they feel about themselves is all I need."
Tom Baker will act as master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $40. Call the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation at 883-3308.
IF YOU GO
What: Harvesting Hope fashion show, benefit
When: noon Sunday
Where: Carson City Nugget second-floor convention room, 507 N. Carson St.
Information: Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation at 883-3308
