Silhouettes Of Spring

Saturday was supposed to be a wash out. But instead it was a beautiful spring day, the perfect forecast for the Silhouettes of Spring 2008 Fashion Show & Brunch in Gainesville, VA.
The Fauquier Council of the American Cancer Society presented this annual fundraiser in celebration of all the cancer survivors in the county.
The stately Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club was again the setting for the 2008 show and again I returned as the M-C.
We know that more patients are surviving their cancers, but this event allows us to see that with our very own eyes. All of the men, women & children models are cancer survivors.
I had hoped to show you behind the scenes video of the models prepping for their walk across the stage, but I blew it. I thought I was recording, but obviously not---no moving pictures to share. Luckily, I did think to take a few still pictures.
Here’s Victoria La Rosa, one of last year’s models, helping fit brain & lung cancer survivor Terry Combs with a wig. If it hadn’t been for the brain tumor, Terry might not have found the cancer in her lung at an early stage.

Terry owns her own hair salon, but she never donned a wig until this fashion show. She looks fabulous and knew just how to add the right touches to match the wig’s style to what was growing back on her head.
The wig comes from Victoria’s “I’m Still Me Boutique” in Warrenton, VA. I profiled Victoria, who has a lot more hair this year, and her business in June 2007. Click here to see what “I’m Still Me” is all about.

This is Jerri Mallory, a fashion show newbie and an 8-month survivor.
Jerri says seeing ABC’s Robin Roberts walk the runway bald, gave her the courage to take off her wig and take part in this event. Doesn’t she look great!!!!!!!!

Nothing is as cruel as when disease strikes our children. But Mallory Bryan’s courage is truly inspiring. The 9-year old third grader at Fresta Valley Christian School in Fauquier County showed me the collage she created highlighting the "bright sides" of cancer since her rare condition was diagnosed. Mallory’s made many new friends; visited new places; traveled to Hawaii courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation; learned lots of new things, and for a second year in a row is a Silhouettes of Spring model.
Pictured with Mallory & me is Kathy Davis, Silhouettes of Spring 2008 Model Coordinator.

Thanks to Starr Thomas, Kim Entrician, Lois Sutphin, and Krista Tucker for inviting me and for putting on another fabulous show which recognizes the human spirit - which can’t be broken by cancer.