SARASOTA – The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation hosts their annual Fashion Finds a Cure fashion show Saturday and celebrates the life’s of survivors and those still battling cancer.
“We celebrate the lives of children that are battling cancer and give them hope and inspiration that they can defeat this thing,” said David Frazer
Frazer, Chief Executive Officer of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, says their signature event helps raise funds and awareness to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
“We have a cause and we’re doing research nationwide,” said Frazer. “We have 24 partner hospitals and we raise awareness and funds to support that great research and we’re going to find some answers.”
The show features past models walking the runway to recognizing their victory over cancer. Veronica Crenshaw’s son Dean walked in this year’s fashion show after he was diagnosed with Leukemia.
“He’s been battling and you could never even tell there’s anything wrong with this kid most of the time. He’s really just still a fun loving kid,” said Crenshaw.
Crenshaw says it’s an amazing feeling having Dean be a part of the show and walkout with the Tampa Bay Lighting’s ThunderBug and hockey players from University of South Florida, a team Dean wants to be a part of when he grows up.
“It’s pretty amazing to be able to do this and especially when asking Dean if he wants to do this,” said Crenshaw. “He’s like ‘Does that mean I get to help my chemo friends?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah that means you get to help your chemo friends.’ So just watching a tiny little kid with caner wanting to help so much is very inspiring just to the whole family.”
The fashion show ends with each of the models walking out dressed as what they want to be when they grow up to send the message that the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is determined to find a cure.