From Chemo to the Catwalk, Pediatric Patients Graced the Runway at “Little Miracles” Event
Show benefitted Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Expansion
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| Kimbo the Clown is joined by patient Nicolina Johannessen of Lake Grove, as they get ready for the Little Miracles Fashion Show at Villa Lombardi’s |
STONY BROOK, NY, April 4 2014 – The Sunrise Fund at Stony Brook hosted their fifth “Little Miracles” Fashion show and dinner at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook, NY on Wednesday, March 26th. The fairy-tale themed night was dedicated to the true stars of the evening, the children and young adults who have completed treatment or are presently undergoing their last months of cancer treatment.
Children took to the runway in front of 830 guests. They were paired up with community members like Miss Teen Long Island, Kimbo the Clown, Stony Brook University’s Mascot Wolfie, “Cops Who Care” from the Suffolk County Police Department/6th Precinct, The Knights of Columbus and Stony Brook Medicine doctors, nurses and staff of the Hematology/Oncology team. “Models” showed-off the latest fashions from Kohl’s, Flair Designer Boutique of Stony Brook Village, The Gap, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Banana Republic, Cottontails of Stony Brook Village, and Rico’s Clothing of Center Moriches.
The evening – which included fairy-tale characters and enchanted-themed props — was designed to give parents and children an opportunity to celebrate their recoveries and to be recognized for their extraordinary courage.
“The anticipation of debuting in the Fashion Show has been exhilarating for these children and teens”, says Jeanne Greenfield, Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Stony Brook Medicine, who organized and led the event, “In the midst of their illness, the event has served to promote self-esteem for these children as they are applauded for their bravery when they grace the runway. It is a true celebration of survivorship for the staff, patients, families and community members.”
The $88,000 raised by the event is designated for the expansion of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and will be doubled to $176,000 thanks to a dollar for dollar matching gift from an anonymous Children’s Hospital donor. “This evening was a huge magical success, not only was it a celebration of life, but a celebration for the future of Stony Brook Children’s,” said Greenfield.
About Stony Brook Children’s Hospital:
Established in June 2010, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital is Suffolk County’s only children’s hospital. More than 7,000 children and adolescents are admitted each year. Stony Brook Children’s operates 100 pediatric beds and has more than 140 full-time pediatric physicians and surgeons in 30 different specialties and over 200 voluntary pediatric faculty members. The hospital is the Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center for our area and has a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is home to the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center and also offers a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program, Pediatric Cardiology Program, Pediatric HIV and AIDS Center, Cystic Fibrosis Center and the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookchildrens.org.
About the Sunrise Fund:
The Sunrise Fund was founded in 1999 by Susan Shiebler and Maureen Brennan, whose children were treated for cancer at Stony Brook University Hospital. The fund was established to increase awareness about childhood cancer and to raise funds for specific projects including a respite center, a playroom, extended support services, facilities and programs that meet our families’ growing needs, and vital research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancers. The Sunrise Fund helps sustain the Outpatient Pediatric Hematology and Oncology program of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, the only pediatric oncology program on Long Island tied directly to a major research university. To learn more, visit www.hsc.stonybrook.edu/sunrisefund.
