RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – October 30, 2012 – The potential of Hurricane Sandy impacting the Richmond area on Saturday night didn’t stand in the way of about 400 people joining the American Cancer Society to celebrate area cancer survivors at the Society’s Cure By Design event at the John Marshall Ballrooms. More than 40 local cancer survivors, ranging in age from 11 to 82, were celebrated as they modeled local and national designer fashions at the event, which raised more than $160,000 for the Society.
Debbie Johnston, honorary chair of the Society’s Cure By Design event and president and chief executive officer of Care Advantage, Inc.
Photo credit: Allen Moore, AIM Studios
Local entrepreneur Debbie Johnston, president and chief executive officer of Care Advantage, was honored for her commitment to the American Cancer Society and providing services to area cancer patients. Patti Jackson, area executive director for the Society, presented Johnston, honorary chair of this year’s Cure By Design, with the Society’s Visionary Award prior to the survivors modeling the latest fashions.
Also in attendance were local designer Evelyn Bagala of Evelyn’s Designs and New York designer Alex Garfield of Peace of Cloth. Garfield started Cure By Design in Richmond seven years ago and now helps the American Cancer Society organize the event in several cities across the Southeast. Participating local retailers include Eurotrash, Fink’s Jewelers, Frances Kahn, Franco’s Fine Clothier, The French Boutique, La Grande Dame, Ledbury, Need Supply Company, Pink, Roan, Saxon Shoes, Schwarzschild Jewelers and Stella & Dot.
Funds raised through Cure By Design help the American Cancer Society raise funds for a number of local programs and services offered to cancer patients and their caregivers, including transportation to treatment, physical and emotional support programs, access to dietitians, and certified oncology social workers, all available from the Society at no cost. The organization also utilizes funds raised to support nearly $5 million in ongoing cancer research at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 14 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.
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