SARASOTA – The runway is set, all we’re missing are the models…
“It’s inspiring and it’s so great to know that these kids no matter what they’re battling they still have dreams, they still have hopes, their looking forward to growing up,” said Mom of 7-year-old Fashion Show Alumni, Melissa Wallace.
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is hosting their annual Fashion Finds a Cure event Saturday
“What we do here is we highlight the dreams of children that are currently battling or have battled cancer in an effort to show everybody the challenges that they face because only 4 percent of government research funding goes towards pediatrics,” said Director of Development of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Dawn Zachman.
This year, the foundation will feature 6 children, virtually who got to complete their dreams ahead of the fashion show
“And we have 8 alumni, the alumni have walked at a show here before and we celebrate all the time when we go back that they’re still thriving and doing great,” said Zachman.
Alumni includes, 7 year old, Addy Wallace who was diagnosed with stage 3 Wilms’ Tumor when she was just two years old.
“She had her right kidney removed in 2015 and then after about six months of treatment she was all clear but unfortunately relapsed in 2016 with metastatic to her lungs,” said Melissa Wallace.
Addy is coming up on five years cancer free in December.
“And we only need two more scans until I’m all done,” said 7-year-old fashion show alumni, Addy Wallace. “Yes two more scans,” said Melissa Wallace.
While one kid got to be a law enforcement officer, and another a mermaid, the whole goal is to spread hope and motivate the kids.
“And that’s why fundraising is so important and research is so important so we can give them that opportunity to grow up and to realize these dreams and get those dream jobs that they want,” said Melissa Wallace.
The Fashion show will be held at Mall at UTC at 6 PM Saturday, March 6th.
Anyone interested in donation can by visiting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation website here.
