The cold weather and relentless rain last night couldn’t stop more than 600 people from packing into the Marquee New York for the Pink Runway Fashion Show to celebrate breast cancer survivors and patients.
The event was in support of the Maimonides Breast Center in Brooklyn, headed by Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair of Surgery and founder of the center. Maimonides has the only Breast Cancer Center in Brooklyn, and is ranked among the top 5% of centers in the nation, caring for all patients, regardless of means or insurance, and all proceeds from the event directly benefited that mission.
All the models who participated in the event were in one way or the other affected by breast cancer, whether as patients at the Maimonides center or through a close family member or friend. The annual event also raised awareness for women’s breast health and funds towards treating and eventually curing breast cancer.
“We are here to celebrate the women who put their trust in us, who put their lives in our hands and we are eternally grateful. At Maimonides we embrace the beauty of treating the whole person. We believe in the art of wellness,” said Dr. Borgen, who founded the breast cancer center back in 2006 after leaving Memorial Sloan Kettering as Chief Breast Surgeon.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, while on average one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
A video presented at the event showcased Francine’s story, who is a breast cancer survivor and Maimonides patient. Back in Christmas of 2012, Francine got engaged to her long-time love and just six months later was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two years later, in September of 2014, Francine was at her last chemo treatment and finally able to start planning her dream wedding. Since then, the newlywed has been in remission all thanks to the care she received at Maimonides.
Like most cancers, breast cancer has four stages from early detection all the way to the cancer spreading to other vital organs of the body. Breast cancer is typically detected through a monthly self-examination in which a woman examines her own breast for any lumps or changes or through a mammogram with a qualified healthcare professional.
The National Cancer Institute recommends that women 40 and older get mammograms every one or two years, and that all women should be getting regular mammograms even if they aren’t showing symptoms in order to have a chance at early detection.
One of the models at the event, Laury Prudent, was able to detect lumps in her breast early due to self-examination, “I myself just found a lump not too long ago. I’m in the early stages of getting either diagnosed or misdiagnosed, but it kind of hit home for me because before I was just supporting others as just a friend, and now I feel like I’m going to be battling myself,” said Prudent.
“I was so afraid to get tested and get a biopsy. A diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of your life. As long as you have a reason to fight, fight,” she added.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place annually in the month of October and includes national events like the Race For The Cure and the Susan G Komen 3 Day ‘For The Cure’ 60-mile fundraising walk. The events raise money for breast cancer research, treatment and ultimately a cure.
