ST. LOUIS MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Each year as many as 300 families in the St. Louis region receive frightening medical news. One of their children is diagnosed with cancer. But they do not have to face the struggle alone. A local charity, "Friends of Kids With Cancer" is there to help them cope.
The organization's annual fashion show and boutique drew one thousand guests at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Clayton Thursday. It is particularly popular because most of the fashion models are children who have survived the disease or are still undergoing treatment. Twenty-six of them "walked the runway" wearing big smiles and new outfits from Dillards. A few professional models shared the spotlight, but the focus at this event is on the children.
"I think it just really boosts their self esteem and makes them feel proud," said Karen Baumgartner the mother of a 26 year old who has survived several bouts of cancer. The children, ranging in age from three or four year olds to teens, have their hair and makeup done for the event and receive special gifts.
In between the luncheon and the dinner events the children and their families can rest in private rooms.
Friends of Kids with Cancer provides assistance to the children in treatment, their siblings and parents. Services ranging from art therapy to tutoring and even a toy closet at treatment centers fosters a more normal childhood and gives them something else to think about.
The organization was founded 18 years ago. Fashion show coordinator Marianne Bergamini was an early volunteer. "The things that cancer will take out of their lives we try to replace with all the fun things they don't get to do with their peers and just make life livable," she explained.
Each year the fashion show becomes quite a treat because of the attention the children receive. "It's so fun to watch. These kids just come alive. None of them have ever modeled before and they just take the whole crowd by storm," Bergamini said.
17 year old Shane Brewer whose leukemia recently went into remission is thankful for the role the group has played during his struggle. "I think it helps out the family quite a bit," he said. "If the kids are relaxed then the parents and the siblings of the kid who is going through this are relaxed too."
Karen Baumgartner found the charity through her daughter's doctors. Now that her daughter is grown and married, she is a volunteer for "Friends." The charity sells tickets to its lunch and dinner programs, rents boutique space to vendors and sells ads in a program book.
For more information see the charity's web site www.friendsofkids.com.
The organization's annual fashion show and boutique drew one thousand guests at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Clayton Thursday. It is particularly popular because most of the fashion models are children who have survived the disease or are still undergoing treatment. Twenty-six of them "walked the runway" wearing big smiles and new outfits from Dillards. A few professional models shared the spotlight, but the focus at this event is on the children.
"I think it just really boosts their self esteem and makes them feel proud," said Karen Baumgartner the mother of a 26 year old who has survived several bouts of cancer. The children, ranging in age from three or four year olds to teens, have their hair and makeup done for the event and receive special gifts.
In between the luncheon and the dinner events the children and their families can rest in private rooms.
Friends of Kids with Cancer provides assistance to the children in treatment, their siblings and parents. Services ranging from art therapy to tutoring and even a toy closet at treatment centers fosters a more normal childhood and gives them something else to think about.
The organization was founded 18 years ago. Fashion show coordinator Marianne Bergamini was an early volunteer. "The things that cancer will take out of their lives we try to replace with all the fun things they don't get to do with their peers and just make life livable," she explained.
Each year the fashion show becomes quite a treat because of the attention the children receive. "It's so fun to watch. These kids just come alive. None of them have ever modeled before and they just take the whole crowd by storm," Bergamini said.
17 year old Shane Brewer whose leukemia recently went into remission is thankful for the role the group has played during his struggle. "I think it helps out the family quite a bit," he said. "If the kids are relaxed then the parents and the siblings of the kid who is going through this are relaxed too."
Karen Baumgartner found the charity through her daughter's doctors. Now that her daughter is grown and married, she is a volunteer for "Friends." The charity sells tickets to its lunch and dinner programs, rents boutique space to vendors and sells ads in a program book.
For more information see the charity's web site www.friendsofkids.com.
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