A Sunshine Coast body-positive fashion parade has raised $14,000 to support locals diagnosed with breast cancer.
During breast cancer awareness month, funds raised by the inaugural Beauties, Breasts and Bubbles Fashion Parade, held in September on the Sunshine Coast, have been donated to McGrath Foundation and Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program to support locals diagnosed with breast cancer.
An impressive fundraising pool of $14,000 was achieved by the sold-out community-organised event which featured an inspiring fashion parade where 12 local breast cancer survivors modelled lingerie, breast prostheses, swimwear and clothing to celebrate body positivity and showcase beauty after cancer.
McGrath Foundation and Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program each received a $7000 donation to contribute toward their efforts to support the 450 Sunshine Coast women diagnosed with breast cancer1 annually.
Jen McKenzie, breast cancer physiotherapist and event spokesperson, said the event organisers were “beyond excited” with the fundraising outcome achieved by the event which was organised by a small group of volunteers on behalf of the local breast cancer community.
“On behalf of the event organising team, we extend heartfelt appreciation to every single guest, sponsor, prize donor and supporter who helped to fundraise a whopping $14,000 for our local breast cancer community,” Ms McKenzie said.
“The atmosphere during the Beauties, Breasts and Bubbles fashion parade was absolutely electric and I know everyone in the room that night was certain they were part of history in the making.
“Not only did we raise much-needed funds to support other breast cancer survivors, but the 12 model breast cancer survivors hit the runway with confidence, sass and self love to prove that beauty is a feeling, not an aesthetic.“
Fundraising was achieved through raffles and silent auctions generously donated by Sunshine Coast businesses and service providers. A portion of ticket sales to the sold-out event also contributed to the fundraising tally.
One in every seven Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and of the 20,000 people diagnosed annually, around 150 are men.
Tracey Grills, owner of Tracey G Prosthetics and Lingerie, said she was excited to see genuine breast cancer survivors being used to showcase a variety of high-quality, practical and feminine garments on the runway during the fashion parade.
“The models were absolutely amazing and it was inspiring to see them supporting each other and celebrating their post-surgery body, showing others that thriving after breast cancer might look different for everyone but it looks beautiful for all,” Mrs Grills said.
“The fashion parade was inspired by a similar event held at New York Fashion Week where mastectomy lingerie was showcased in a powerful show by women who had undergone breast cancer surgery.“
Local representatives from the Sunshine Coast breast cancer community were inspired and said ‘We can do this too! We can replicate this fashion parade right here on the Sunshine Coast.’
The Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program delivers local support services for Sunshine Coast breast cancer patients and their families.
The assistance program honours the memory of Sunshine Coast mum Cindy Mackenzie who passed away from breast cancer in 2006, aged 39.
The McGrath Foundation mission is to ensure that no one goes through breast cancer without the care of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.
McGrath Breast Care Nurses help individuals and their families affected by breast cancer by providing physical, psychological and emotional support, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.
The event was proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council’s grants program and was the brainchild of the Sunshine Coast Breast Cancer Friendship Circle, a free social group run by volunteers to connect breast cancer survivors for friendship, support and understanding.
Planning is already underway for next year’s Beauties, Breasts and Bubbles Fashion Parade and updates about tickets for 2023 will be shared on the event Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
