Cancer has a major impact on millions of lives every year. Statistics from 2008 to 2010 show that nearly 41 percent of both men and women born today will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. Cancer of Many Colors, an organization founded to assist local cancer patients, is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of patients with support through their cancer journey and to help them improve their quality of life.
CMC is a nonprofit organization based in Lexington founded by cancer survivor Paulette Criscione, an inspiring woman whose passion stems from her family’s broad experience with the disease. Her father, John, lost his battle from invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast; her brother, Jay, survived cancer of the throat, but died from bile duct cancer; and her brother, Richard, died from leukemia. Paulette discovered that she, as Jay did, carries the BRCA 2 genetic mutation.
There are at least 200 different types of cancer, and Paulette wants to use the organization to bring awareness to all “colors” of cancer and to support cancer patients facing different stages of treatments. Costs involved in cancer treatment are continuously growing, and CMC is dedicated to helping local cancer survivors with unforeseen or unexpected expenses through qualified programs. “For too many people, the costs are so high that a person may decide to stop treatment early or perhaps not get it at all,” says Paulette.
One event CMC hosts annually is a fashion show. “Fashion for Fighters Runway Show was created to support all types of cancer survivors and help them feel confident and free from this dreaded disease for a moment as they walk down the runway,” says Paulette. CMC is hosting the 2016 Fashion for Fighters event at the Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia/Airport on Thursday, Feb. 4. The models for the fashion show are survivors diagnosed with different types of cancer and will be wearing the color associated with the type of cancer they are battling while dancing to their favorite songs. Music, food, libations and comradery add to the evening’s celebration at the fashion show.
Learn more about CMC and events and sponsorships at CancerOfManyColors.com.
