“I was so thrilled to be nominated as an Ambassador for After Breast Cancer. I went for my fitting as arranged and met with Alicia Vianga the founder of After Breast Cancer, Marie my coordinator, and Celebrity stylist Dale Hodder. I tried on two beautiful dresses but they weren't quite right. Dale then pulled out the third dress and I knew from the minute I saw it that it was the dress for me. It was perfect and beautiful!
July 11th, I arrived at La Marquette at noon for the S|HE Photo Shoot and cocktail reception and there were bustle and certain energy in the air. Volunteers were busy decorating and preparing the room for our makeup and hair artists who would transform us into Vogue models. La Maquette is located beside the most stunning oasis of a park and across the street looms the beautiful St. James Cathedral. While waiting to have my hair and makeup done I chatted with some of the other Ambassadors. Truly wonderful, interesting, and diverse women.
Rachel from B Pretty, my makeup/hair artist arrived was ready for me! She started with my hair, which she crimped and gave me curls in a 1920's fashion. Really fun and so different from what I am used to. Then the makeup! All I can say is WOW. A little unsettling looking in the mirror, but I was assured that I would look fabulous in photos, and even if I say so, I looked good. Before the transformation was finished Brian my own personal photographer appeared and started snapping away. Then Sandra jumped in and said she was my assistant. I am feeling like a princess.
Time to take off our lovely pink kimonos and slither into our beautiful dresses to which was added the most stunning Canadian-made jewelry by Rita Tesolin picked out by Dale for each of us. Ready we were, but before the reception and guests arriving each of us was asked to do a short interview. Mine started well, but halfway through the video I went blank and no words came out of my mouth. How embarrassing!
While the guests were arriving, each of the twelve Ambassadors went off with their own personal photographers and assistants for our photoshoot. Different destinations for the shoots were prearranged and I didn't have to go very far. It was an hour of fun with Brian and Sandra and I can't wait to see the final photos.
After my photo shoot, I had the best surprise ever. Five ladies from my dragon boat team Dragons Abreast were sitting at the table waiting for me. I thought only my daughter and a friend from the team were coming. What a most wonderful surprise!
The 12 beautiful Ambassadors were then presented and introduced to the guests by Christine Bentley as we paraded down the staircase ending with the gorgeous Alicia Vianga the Founder of After Breast Cancer who made all this happen. What a memorable day.
Feeling proud to be an Ambassador for After Breast Cancer and S|HE Thrives Project Team.”
For digital stills and/or interviews with myself, ABC Founder Alicia Vianga, Photographers, Stylists and Sponsors, contact: Alicia Vianga 416-560-3835
For more information about after BREAST CANCER, S|HE Thrives, visit http://afterbreastcancer.ca/ Social Media Tags: #AfterBreastCancer #SHEThrives
ABOUT S|HE THRIVES
On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, in Toronto’s Fashion District the after Breast Cancer S|HE Thrives now in its fourth year provided a platform for ambassadors to overcome adversity and a beacon of hope for those who are currently battling the disease. ABC helps survivors, or as we like to call them, ‘graduates’, begin the healing process, regain their dignity, footing, and femininity in the aftermath of breast cancer.
The signature after the Breast Cancer event shines the spotlight on 12 inspiring Graduates selected as official after Breast Cancer ambassadors who will be featured in after Breast Cancer’s 2018 Calendar available for purchase benefiting ABC. “These graduates are powerful, their stories will move and motivate you, cancer may have taken their breast, cancer may have taken their self-esteem, but cancer does not define who they are,” said Alicia Vianga, Founder of after Breast Cancer. "Breast cancer knows no age, race, life eminence, color or sex; whether a young mother, accomplished businesswomen, a nurse, an actor, a teacher or a father, breast cancer does not discriminate.”
This year's courageous 12 breast cancer ambassadors include Karen Alexander, Laurel Dougerhty, Nadia Santiago, Sita, Kathleen Mc Donell, Deborah Peniuk, Lyssa Statham, Jennifer Schultz, Joanna Chrystal, Glenda Mohammed, Joyce Perrin, and Natalie Wilson.
The S|HE project is about giving our Ambassadors an experience they will remember forever. Ambassadors enjoyed a day of being pampered, styled, and beautified, then clicked by Toronto’s top photographers, followed by the Graduation Reception and the big reveal of the ambassadors to family, friends, and guests.
ABOUT after BREAST CANCER
after Breast Cancer is a Canada-wide charity dedicated to supporting and celebrating those affected by breast cancer. Most people believe that surviving breast cancer treatment is the end of the battle, but in fact, it is the beginning of the healing journey. After treatment, breast cancer graduates face numerous physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Countless women struggle to re-establish themselves in the workforce, manage chronic health issues resulting from treatment, instate new healthy lifestyle habits, overcome depression, and become reacquainted with their new bodies.
- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: To identify under-served areas in breast cancer survivorship that lack resources and provide evidence-based information that can facilitate informed decision-making on issues related to breast cancer survivorship.
- DIRECT SUPPORT: To provide women who have no insurance and limited financial resources with mastectomy bras, camisoles, and breast prostheses at NO COST to them after breast removal surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy).
- SUPPORT FOR THE FUTURE: To provide resources that contribute to a woman’s Quality of Life (QOL) after breast cancer.