Racks of clothes are reserved this time of year - every year – at LoDo Loft on South Virginia Street for the most fashionable event in town. Organizers are celebrating 10 years of Runway for Life! "You think it would get easier every year, but it only gets more difficult because we want it to be bigger and better every year,” says LoDo Loft Co-Owner, Ashley Machado. In the past nine years, Runway for Life has raised close to $300,000 for Moms on the Run which helps local women financially - as they fight breast and gynecological cancers. To celebrate a decade of support for this non-profit, Amanda Werbeckes, who also owns LoDo Loft, says the event will be slightly different. "Everybody who's going to walk the runway this year is a survivor and we've never had that before."
Heidi England volunteered to model clothes from both LoDo Loft and Label’s – a consignment boutique that has been a longtime supporter of the event, too. Heidi was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. "My son was five months old and I was breast feeding and I found a lump in my breast." After chemotherapy and a mastectomy, she was cancer-free for five years, but then learned it metastasized in 2010. "The doctors gave me approximately 18 months to live and that was such a shock." Heidi says it's a miracle she's thriving today and she gives thanks to Moms on the Run for a scholarship to workout with the Saint Mary's Cancer Rehabilitation program. "It's helped me emotionally and physically feel so much better and be more present for my family."
Heidi is one of more than 30 cancer survivors who will grace the stage Sunday at the Atlantis. "It's a very emotional day. It's a celebration in many ways for them to know that they're not alone,” says Ashley of the women. Amanda adds, “They’re thriving, beautiful and brave. We're just really proud of have them."
Runway for Life is sold out with an estimated 650 people expected to attend the wine lunch and fashion show. New this year, Runway for Life is also teaming up with the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation to celebrate children who have also beaten cancer. About 10 little ones will model outfits from Sippees. To learn more, log onto http://www.momsontherun.info/events/runway-life.
