Breast friends don’t walk alone
Sadly, the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia where one in 45 Filipinas has it. The I Can Serve Foundation has become one of the biggest and most influential NGOs for breast cancer in the Philippines with its community of passionate cancer survivors — helping and supporting women with breast cancer. Its community-based programs extend medical support, empowering women through education and information.
This year’s fundraiser at the Raffles Makati aptly named “We Don’t Walk Alone” was a well-attended event that showed how the sisterhood of cancer survivors has closely bonded to assist those in financial and emotional need. As Libeth Virata, one of the main ICS organizers and herself a cancer survivor, enthused, “We celebrate how each of us went through this journey and counted heavily on the love and support of our family and friends. The show is not just about fashion, but also about celebrating life and having fun together. We hope that people will remember that the reason behind the show is our advocacy for awareness and early detection.”
The well-attended affair started with Issa Litton’s introduction, and she was soon joined by the evening’s ebullient auctioneer, Tessa Valdes, cajoling bidders to up the ante so that there would be more funds for the ICS beneficiaries.
Supportive family members and friends were present not only in the audience, but onstage as “breast friends.” It was touching to see sets of mother-daughter, mother-son, sisters and best friends walk down the ramp, hand in hand to show their support for a beloved who has survived this disease while those in the audience lustily cheered them on. Not only were there smiles and laughter, but also tears of happiness that together one can triumph in the battle against breast cancer.
The fashion show had beautiful haute couture gowns by Randy Ortiz and Mark Bumgarner that were reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. Patty Ang’s designs could be worn by women of all ages with her flowing, graceful, and feminine lines. Dennis Lustico and Rosana Ocampo highlighted playful yet fun clothing that could be worn from daytime to nighttime, while Patrice Diaz came out of retirement to honor a dear friend who had just passed away from this disease.
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I Can Serve is grateful to its supporters: Philip Stein, Sun Life, Raffles Makati, Security Bank, Del Monte, Marie France, Pagcor, Medical City, Mercedes Benz, Globe Platinum, Moss Manila, and the Estee Lauder group. For more information on how to help, please visit: www.icanservefoundation.org or email info@icanservefoundation.org
For your comments and ideas, please email the writer at: jacinto.fa@gmail.com
