In collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Breast Center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) will host its 1st Annual “Fashion Saves Lives” fashion show. The inaugural event will be held Tuesday, December 10th at Port Discovery Children’s Museum. ABCF’s goal is to raise funds that will be used to provide grants for early detection breast cancer screenings and diagnostic tests for those who could not otherwise afford them.
Many of the fashion show’s models are breast cancer survivors who were treated at the Johns Hopkins Breast Center. Guest models include international fitness industry expert and long-time ABCF supporter, Lynne Brick, as well as members of the Baltimore-area media and other local celebrities. Keith Scott, CEO of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, will emcee the event.
Among the models is Shay Sharpe, a breast cancer survivor and the founder of Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes. Sharpe was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer at the age of 26. She founded Pink Wishes to give a voice to young women with breast cancer; a disease that is often associated with older age. Pink Wishes is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to young women who are diagnosed with terminal breast cancer before the age of 40.
“I am looking forward to walking in the American Breast Cancer Foundation fashion show,” says Sharpe. “I admire ABCF for all that their foundation is doing in the fight against breast cancer, especially for its work with young adults.”
The event is set for Tuesday, December 10th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A $25 general admission ticket includes a tour of Port Discovery Children’s Museum with a “Taste of Baltimore” food tasting from several Baltimore restaurants and access to the fashion show. In addition to what a general admission ticket offers, a $125 VIP ticket also purchases one screening mammogram for an ABCF client. VIP attendees have access to the catered VIP Lounge to mingle with the models and reserved seating at the fashion show. Various sponsorship packages are still available for interested groups and businesses.
“We are excited to host this event to emphasize that with early detection, walking down a fashionable runway feeling elegant and looking beautiful can be a reality for those diagnosed with breast cancer,” says ABCF CEO, Jacky Loube. “All proceeds from this event will ensure that many who cannot otherwise afford potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings and diagnostic tests, regardless of age or gender, will have that chance. We are grateful to all those in the Baltimore community who continue to support our mission.”
Since 2007, the American Breast Cancer Foundation has granted more than $6.5 million to uninsured and underserved clients from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The grants provide financial assistance for potentially life-saving mammograms and breast ultrasounds. ABCF is the recipient of the 2013 Mammography Funding Award from the Primary Care Coalition (PCC) of Montgomery County, Md. In conjunction with community partners, ABCF helped PCC launch its Breast Health Initiative by providing a $40,000 grant to help more than 700 women obtain breast cancer screenings they could not otherwise afford.
To purchase tickets for ABCF’s Fashion Saves Lives event call 410-825-9388 or visit https://fashionsaveslives.eventbrite.com. Tickets will not be available at the door. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the event, contact the fashion show coordinator, Lisa Wiederlight, at 410-825-9388 or by email at info@abcf.org.
For additional information about the American Breast Cancer Foundation or the “Fashion Saves Lives” event, contact Josie Hankey of the Fallston Group at 410-420-2001 or by email at Josie.Hankey@FallstonGroup.com.
About ABCF
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The American Breast Cancer Foundation is a national, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Baltimore, Md. ABCF’s mission is to reduce the financial barriers to potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings and diagnostic tests by providing financial assistance for these procedures to the uninsured and underserved, regardless of race or gender. The organization operates a multi-lingual call center that, since 2007, has assisted over 22,000 clients. Over 50 percent of those who contact ABCF’s call center have symptoms of the disease.