Cancer Survivors Rocked the Runway and Shared Inspiring Survivorship Stories
November 14, 2023 – The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research is proud to announce the Surviving in Style fashion event raised $100,000, after expenses, for cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The inspiring and glamourous luncheon, held at Broken Sound Country Club, featured 20 Pap Corps members, all cancer survivors, who received treatment at Sylvester. The ladies showcased fashions from Nina Raynor Boutique in Delray Beach, while the men sported styles from Raise the Bar Menswear in Boca Raton. The event, hosted by WPTV anchorman Michael Williams, raised awareness about The Pap Corps’ dedication to funding groundbreaking research for all types of cancers in men, women, and children.
“Surviving in Style was an emotional event that touched everyone who attended in an extraordinary and unforgettable way,” said Sally Berenzweig, Pap Corps CEO. “Each model shared their unique cancer journey in short videos, that encapsulated their resilience and gratitude.”
The models agreed to share their very personal and hope-filled stories to honor their doctors and health care providers, while also encouraging others who may someday be diagnosed. Each model then took to the catwalk, escorted by a Sylvester doctor.
“Watching the models walk the runway with doctors who have dedicated their lives to researching and creating better cancer treatments was extremely poignant,” stated event co-chair, Beverly Berkowitz. “But what made the event so exhilarating was the buoyant spirit of our models and the audience who radiated their love.”The fashions of course played a key element in creating such a spectacular fundraiser, and the runway styles highlighted featured an eclectic range of trends.
“We are so grateful to Bobby Wollenberg of Nina Raynor and Tony Pianta of Raise the Bar Menswear for the time and gracious spirit in working with our models to select such extraordinary styles, allowing each model to feel like a superstar,” said event co-chair Joyce Brett. “And to all of our Pap Corps event committee members who dedicated so much time and effort to make this such a successful event.”
During the event, the speakers and models, highlighted the incredible relationship between The Pap Corps and Sylvester, truly impressing the audience with the mantra that together “we unite the fight.” Besides showcasing male and female models with an array of different cancers, the event also featured a young boy, Jake Duenas, who walked the runway with his mother Christina.
“Jake’s heroic presence was an emotional experience that showcased the incredible depth of our impact,” said Susan Dinter, Chair of The Pap Corps. “When you support The Pap Corps, you support every type of cancer patient, by providing the funds to create the most advanced treatments.”
The Pap Corps would like to thank their incredible sponsors including Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Harcourt M. & Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Susan and Ed Dinter, Judy Harold, The Trobman Family Charitable Trust, The Joyce Protocol Wealth Management Group of Raymond James, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, L’Oreal Paris, PNC Bank, Sharon Goodhart Feldman Travel Agency, Bauman Medical, JP Morgan Private Bank, GM Advisory Group Wealth Management, and Gettin Wiggy.
For more information about the organization’s history, fundraising initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.thepapcorps.org
About The Pap Corps:
Since its founding in 1952, The Pap Corps has donated more than $110 million to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, including a historic $50 million pledge in 2016. The Pap Corps derives its name from Dr. George Papanicolaou, a pioneer in cytopathology and early cancer detection, who introduced the world to the revolutionary ‘Pap’ test. A small group of women began the organization to support his efforts, and over the decades it has grown into an organization of over 20,000 men and women, in over 50 chapters, who raise funds to support research for all types of cancers.