“A Fashionable Affair”

American Cancer Society Garden of Hope Fashion Show Gala

The American Cancer Society announced that its 6th Annual Garden of Hope Fashion Show Gala will be held on Friday, September 18, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The much-anticipated fundraising event will feature dozens of models from Santa Cruz County who are cancer survivors.

The Gala event is more than a fashion show, luncheon, and silent auction. Every year the participants inspire a loyal crowd wearing the latest in elegant fashions from local merchants. It is however, the spirit on the runway and personal stories of survival that create a magical day.

This year’s event honors Sister Julie Hyer, OP former president and CEO of Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California and a member of the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Sister Julie Hyer served as president and CEO of Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz for 22 years, frequently inviting other sisters in the Congregation to join her in her ministry. Until 2010, Sister Julie was president and CEO of Salud Para La Gente, a network of community health clinics headquartered in Watsonville, California. In this position, she ministered with migrant farm workers and their families.

In addition to her formal ministry, Sister Julie serves on numerous Boards in California and for the Congregation. She is a cancer survivor herself and has been a passionate advocate and proponent for the Katz Cancer Resource Center at Dominican Hospital.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend will emcee the event. Supervisor Friend was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in June 2012 and was selected by his fellow Board members as Chairperson for 2014. He represents the Second District, which includes Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Seacliff, Freedom, and portions of the cities of Capitola and Watsonville.

The Garden of Hope Fashion Show Gala’s Event Co-Chairs are Kristin Fabos and Maria Giurato. Kristin is an administrator at Cabrillo College as well as an active community volunteer and board member for several nonprofit organizations.

She has chaired and sponsored four American Cancer Society Galas in both San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. Maria T. Bonilla-Giurato is a well-recognized leader throughout the state, nation and internationally. She is an advocate of young girls, women, families, youth, social justice, and business issues that affect our communities. She has been involved in the community advocating for the disadvantaged for over thirty years.

This important event funds necessary patient services for more than 1,125 cancer patients in Santa Cruz County each year and also funds groundbreaking cancer research in an ongoing effort to find a cure.

The event’s Platinum sponsor includes California Giant Berry Farms, and Gold sponsors include Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Rowland and Pat Rebele. This year’s event will feature a wine reception and performance by the Santa Cruz Symphony String Quartet. Local cancer survivors will model fashions from Blue Moon of Santa Cruz, Cinnamon Bay Clothing Company, Macy’s, Patrick James, Sweet Asylum and more.

Cancer strikes one out of every three Californians during their lifetime. The community’s support of the annual Garden of Hope Fashion Show Gala provides much needed funding to save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer.

6th Annual American Cancer Society Garden of Hope Gala Friday, September 18, 4-7 p.m. Paradox Hotel, 611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, $85 per person, a portion of which is tax-deductible. Visit www.acsgardenofhope.org or call 831-772-6532.

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The American Cancer Society is the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.