Cancer Patients Bring Courage to Runway

Clothes are usually the focus of a fashion show, but at “A Walk Among the Stars” at the Disneyland Hotel on Sunday, the models stole the limelight.

The show, a benefit for the Cancer Center at St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Fullerton, featured 18 amateur models who are patients of the center.

Role Models

“I love working with the (cancer) survivors. They’re so spirited and courageous,” said event chairman Sham Angros. “Some are on chemotherapy . . . they don’t feel good, but they never complain.”

Phyllis Amato, who organized last year’s fashion show, said, “We wanted to give survivors dignity and a feeling of belonging.”

Organizers expect proceeds from this year’s event to exceed last year’s total of about $10,000. The money will be used to buy portable infusion pumps so cancer patients can receive medication without being confined to a bed.

Ego Booster

“This gives others hope . . . that there’s life after hearing you have cancer,” said Chip Harvey, a 32-year-old cancer survivor from Irvine.

Harvey says cancer has changed his outlook in a positive way. “You understand that the little things are little, and you really start to notice things and people,” he said.

Other models were: Dottie Abel, Bonnie Allred, Marguerite Barclay, Mary Ann Beardsley, Mary Ann Castongia, Louise Freifield, Hella Heiserman, Chari Herman, Jill Hillary, Cindy Kambak, Ed Nance, Mike Patino, Joanie Rodriguez, Dee Stopper, Karyn Ullyott, Donna Wangler and Mary Wells.

Vintage Fashion

Some of the models wore vintage clothes from the collection of fashion coordinator Sandra Wessel. The audience laughed when Wessel explained that patent leather was outlawed in England in the early 1900s for fear a woman’s undergarments would be reflected on the shiny shoes.

They hooted and hollered when one model sauntered down the runway in a skirt with a huge bustle, circa 1900. And the audience laughed when model Nance showed off a ‘60s white polyester leisure suit.

In an emotion-packed finale, each model received a rose and was escorted down the ramp by a loved one.

“It’s a day to honor them. They are the stars and that’s the way they’re treated,” Angros said.

Committee members included Janet Davis, Helen Hoover, Anna Duncan, Bev De Vilbiss, Corky Redmond, Mitzi Demman, Charlotte Ovando, Pat Kent, Theresa Beard and Marlene Robinson.