It started back in 1991 when two mothers met while their infant daughters were battling cancer at St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa. Their daughters eventually recovered but Melissa Helms and Risa Tramel were left wanting to do more to help other pediatric cancer patients. As a result, they started the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and are now celebrating their 14th Annual Fashion Funds for the Cure event as well as having raised more than $6 million for research.
The Annual Fashion Funds the Cure is a signature event helping to continue pediatric cancer research efforts. This is the fourteenth year for young girls and boys battling cancer to walk the runway! In their first walk, the children will be dressed in Dillard's latest spring fashions. For their final walk, they will be dressed in an outfit depicting their dream for the future while escorted by an adult currently in that profession. Firefighters, healthcare professionals, and Olympic swimmers are just a few of the dreams to be represented.
NPCF's celebrity spokesperson, Jesse Palmer, former football player, sports emcee and contestant on "The Bachelor" will emcee Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Port Tampa Bay venue. Tickets are available starting at $150 for an individual ticket and more for sponsorships. Guests will enjoy fine wines and delicacies from top area restaurants while doing something for a good cause. Mercedes-Benz of Tampa is the premier sponsor.
This past weekend the children scheduled to model for Fashion Funds the Cure were able to participate in a pre-event fun day at Dillard's picking out their outfits followed by lunch at the Florida Aquarium and a backstage tour.
In 2005, the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation formed the Sunshine Project, the Foundation's collaborative research initiative. By partnering with doctors and researchers from the country's top institutions, the Sunshine Project is fast-tracking the development of new drugs and therapies that will lead the cure of childhood cancers.
David Frazer, CEO of the Foundation says, "We are extremely proud of the strides we are making in the world of pediatric cancer research and hope by working together we can find a cure. We believe all children battling cancer deserve to grow up and live out their dreams and that is why we will continue to work diligently until a cure is found."
To participate in Fashion Funds the Cure buy tickets today, this event sells out!
