Student Stars Strut Their Stuff for Breast Cancer Awareness

Co-President Oliva Cohen in Givenchy with a Nancy Gonzales clutch

Breast Cancer Alliance Jr. Committee Fashion Show and Fundraiser
Richards of Greenwich

Despite some students having attended their Sr. prom just hours before, neither rain or sleep deprivation, could keep these dedicated from modeling in the fundraiser they planned.  Four local High Schools came together as one, to raise money and awareness, to fund mammograms for the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven, CT.

The committee of 18, was lead by BCA Junior Presidents Olivia Brindak, Oliva Cohen, Alex Combias, Amanda Lyddane, Caroline Drennen, Caroline Johnson, John Mayberry, James Skinner and Jake Fields.

They girls looked absolutely dazzling, modeling dresses of their own choosing from Herve Leger, M. Missoni, Lanvin, Pucci, Michael Kors, Paula Ka, Yigal Azrouel.  The guys too, looked fashionable and handsome, in Zegna and Cucinelli, a far cry from the Varsity athletic gear they are frequently attired in.


Co-Chairs Dee Mayberry and Virginia Lyddane met with the students monthly to brainstorm  the event and silent auction and were on hand to make sure everything went seamlessly.

 BCA President Debbie Black, charmed and welcomed guests, many of whom were proud family members and friends.

 Event Co-Chair Dee Mayberry and BCA President Debbie Black

                                                                                 

As usual, Andrew Mitchell-Namdar, vice-president of marketing for Mitchells/Richards and his team did a fabulous job organizing the numerous behind the scenes details.

Andrew is also a member of the Breast Cancer Alliance advisory board. He will be instrumental in executing the annual Breast Cancer Alliance Luncheon Show at the Hyatt in October. At it's peak, there have been close to a thousand guests in attendance...no small task!

I had the privilege and pleasure of providing the commentary about each of the students, sharing a bit of their current interests and accomplishments, with descriptions of their bold, colorful choices.

                                                 Andrew-Mitchell Namdar, Debbi O'Shea
                                               
        

David Hennessey of Greenwich Time graciously covered the event. All photos are courtesy of The Greenwich Times as well.  Here are some excerpts from his front page article:

( Quoting Andrew-Namdar Mitchell):

The Breast Cancer Alliance is a cause that is "near and dear to our hearts," he added, saying that breast cancer awareness should not be confined to October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"This is a 365-day-a-year disease," he said.

Richards Personal Shopper and BCA committee member Debbi O'Shea told the audience Sunday morning that she is a 17-year breast cancer survivor.

Early detection and knowledge about the disease are crucial to fighting it, particularly for young people, she said, adding women as young as 19 are now being diagnosed with breast cancer.

"They never think it can happen to them, and it can," she said. "Know and discuss your family history with your mother and father."

Breast Cancer Alliance Board of Directors President Deborah G. Black said the junior committee, composed of students from Greenwich High School, Greenwich Academy, Brunswick and The Stanwich School, holds other events throughout the year, including a spinning, Zumba, and yoga fundraiser at Equinox in February, to raise awareness about the disease".

This is their big fundraiser," she said of Sunday's event. "St. Raphael really reaches out to the under served."Since the BCA's inception in 1996, the organization has provided more than $16 million in funding, and the junior committee plays a major role in BCA's visibility and impact in the community, Black said.

"Nothing can dampen their enthusiasm or our pride in them," she said.

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Teens-model-for-breast-cancer-awareness-3501441.php#ixzz1stZ4ZHYEBreast Cancer Alliance of Greenwich Fashion Show at Richards of Greenwich.


It may have rained outdoors, but inside Richards, it was all sunshine and smiles.

xox,
DD

The Breast Cancer Alliance Luncheon 2011

My 15 seconds of fame!  I made the front page of Friday's Greenwich Time.



 

Breast cancer survivor Debbi O'Shea, the personal shopper at Richards since 2001, walks the runway.  Photo: Helen Neafsey / Greenwich Time

Though it was unusually cool and rainy yesterday, it was pure sunshine inside the tent at the 16th annual Breast Cancer Alliance benefit luncheon and fashion show at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich.

This was the sixth year that Mitchells/Richards sponsored the fashion show and nearly 800 women were treated to a whirlwind of exciting fashion from Valentino, Brunello Cucinelli, Michael Kors, Akris, J. Mendel, Giorgio Armani, Jason Wu, Yigal Azrouel, Lela Rose and exquisite coats from the Oscar de la Renta Couture Collection.

In a word: Swoonworthy even if I did just make it up.

Festive Tables

The Runway

All of this is the culmination of a year of hard work of dozens of volunteers, chaired this year by Patricia Burns and Amanda Davis, with the great support of  BCA President Debbie Black and Andrew Mitchell-Namdar of Mitchells/Richards.  This was my fourth year on the committee and I am proud to be associated with this incredible organization

This year's Guest Speaker was Cokie Roberts, whose list of accomplishments is so long it could comprise another blog.  As is tradition, she is also a breast cancer survivor. The finale of the fashion show always includes survivors and often, the people who helped them achieve it.  My supporter, was my friend Michele Penque. We know well in our hearts, that our dear friend Lorraine Millar, a 20 year survivor who lost her battle in 2009, was looking down on that runway with joy. I was also extremely proud of my colleagues Patricia Cinquemani and Iwona Kelly who walked the runway together.  Both received breast cancer diagnosis' last year, fought hard and won. Their smiles say it all...

Michele, Patricia and Iwona

This is such a fun and glamorous day, but what is really impressive, is the mission of the BCA and the breadth of their accomplishments.  Fundraising, has allowed the BCA and their dedicated Board of Directors to disperse over $13.5 million dollars to some of the most brilliant researchers in the country.  In an average year, 75% of their grant funds go to research and 25% to early detection programs in the communities they serve. The distinguished cancer specialists on their Medical Advisory Board, together with outside experts, help them to make quality grant decisions.

Over the years, the Alliance has funded a variety of cutting edge research grants and one-year post-graduate breast surgery fellowships at 25 of the nation's leading research institutions. They have also funded community outreach programs and education initiatives in nine communities in Connecticut and New York.

In a word:  WOW!

What can you do to stay on top of your breast health?  Know your family history (paternal history counts equally). Get annual mammograms beginning at age 40 (earlier if you are at high risk), with a manual exam by a Radiologist. If you have dense breasts, insist on a bilateral ultrasounds. Exercise often. Drink moderately. Be in touch with your breasts in the shower.  If you need a biopsy, seek medical help from a Breast Specialist.

If you do ever hear the dreaded words, "You have breast cancer", I promise, you will not go it alone. Family, friends, survivors and organizations like the BCA will help see you through...

I promise.

xox,
DD