I am excited to present to you a Q&A from the BMC committee staff! Enjoy!
Q&A w/ Joanna MacDonald
How did Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care start?
Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care was established five years ago to raise funds for many of the Cancer Care Center’s most vital support services. We had heard about the Catwalk for a Cure event, founded by Bryan Finocchio of Open Hearts, Inc. (now 33 Munroe), and asked if he’d partner with Boston Medical Center on our own fashion show. We’ve been working together to produce the annual show with BMC cancer survivors ever since.
How are designers selected to participate?
We partner with Bryan Finocchio of 33 Munroe to manage the fashion show. After producing these events year after year, he has formed strong relationships with many local designers and stylists. Some of our participating designers have been with us since year one and others just recently found us through social media and just had to be a part of such an inspiring event.
How are the Patient Models selected?
Each year in January and February, we invite members of the BMC community, especially employees of the cancer care center to nominate patients whom they believe would make a great model. We normally receive anywhere from 30-40 nominations and need to complete the challenging task of paring the list down to 15 models. We try to choose models of all different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities and cancer types who we think will not only shine on the runway, but will have a positive and engaging experience.
4) What are the future goals for the event / program?
We want to build Catwalk into a $1 million+ signature fundraising event by our tenth anniversary. Imagine how many patients could receive life-saving support services at BMC with that kind of support. Our goal always comes down to making sure our patients have the best experience both at our cancer center and on the runway.
5) Is there anything you would like to change / update / improve about the event?
We want to continue getting bigger and better. Each year we incorporate changes that will delight our guests. This year, thanks to Lord & Taylor, we added a “Style Lounge” in which designers could show off their fashions and guests could get make-up touch ups and gift bags. We also added a do-it-yourself photo booth that our guests very much enjoyed. Who knows what next year will bring?
Q&A courtesy of: Joanna MacDonald, Director of Cause Marketing & Events
https://development.bmc.org/supportbmc
Review:
This year marked the 5th anniversary of one of the most celebrated nights in Fashion Philanthropy. Boston Medical Center held their annual Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care at the ever popular and beautifully decorated State Room in downtown Boston. This important and magical event was packed with recipients of BMC's excellent cancer care, their family & friends and a star studded guest list of Boston's fashion elite.
Backstage was delightfully busy with all of the models primping and dressing in preparation for the catwalk. The vibe was positive and upbeat.
What I found makes this event so extra special is the participation of actual BMC Cancer Care patients. To have a night to strut the runway, feel special, and truly celebrate the journey of surviving cancer is so moving to witness. As I looked around the room I thought of the stress, pain, determination, perseverance and faith that it must have taken for each and every one of the Catwalk models to be there. Halima, Assia, Michael, Berline, Marie, Desiree, Linda, Rosalba, Ton, Taylor, Emmanuel, Robert, Queenette, Troy and Sharon are all shining examples of what it means to be strong. They walked the runway with pride, grace, beauty and of course, style!
Boston Medical Center and 33 Munroe (Event Planning Firm) did an excellent job of making the night extra special with a cocktail /app hour, a big press wall, and several video monologues highlighting some of the patient's cancer journeys. I can see why they keep coming out swinging for better treatments, bigger contributions and a faster cure year after year!
Emcee: Jadiann Thompson
7NEWS Anchor
WHDH-TV Channel 7
Jadiann Thompson is an Emmy award winning journalist. She anchors the 7NEWS 4pm, 4:30pm and 5:30pm weekday newscasts.
Jadiann joined 7NEWS in June of 2015. Prior to that, Jadiann was the 6pm weekday anchor for the NBC affiliate in Kansas City – KSHB TV
Host: Joe Andruzzi: Born in Brooklyn, NY, but raised in Staten Island, Joe Andruzzi is a former NFL offensive guard, who joined the New England Patriots in 2000, where he went on to play five seasons and earn three Super Bowl rings. On May 30, 2007, Joe was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt’s lymphoma. He admirably fought the disease with strength and courage for several months. Joe has been in remission ever since and lives a healthy life with his wife Jen, their five children and their two dogs. Together, Joe and Jen run the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, which is tackling cancer’s impact by providing financial assistance for patients and their families as well as funding pediatric brain cancer research
Designers (in Order, Clockwise L-R):
Lloyd Hall-Parker, Dylan Uscher (Dylanium Knits), Stephanie Raymond (LezBReal), Christina K, Pierce, Joe Malaika, Candice Wu
Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Liberty Mutual
Haute Couture Sponsor: Lord & Taylor
Avant-Garde Sponsors: State Street, Optum, Natixis, CVSHealth, Jack Morton, Boston Financial Data Services, Rosemary and Jim Phalen, Anonymous
Ready-to-wear Sponsors: Boston Consulting Group, Boston Medical Center Healthnet Plan, Melanie and Frank Foley, FTI Consulting, Meg Eckenroad
Simply Fabulous Sponsors: Amgen Foundation, AonHewitt, Connell Limited Partnership, Hill Holliday, Ketchum Sports & Entertainment, Korn Ferry / Hay Group, David and Stephanie Long, Loomis, Sayles, & Company, L.P., Pepsi, Rebecca Roth, Tweedy, Brown Company, LLC, Webster Bank
Media Sponsor: Boston Magazine
