Dakeita Vanderburg-Johnson and Clare Cook Faggart are co-chairs for the 30th Annual Healing Threads “Pink Pearls” Fashion Benefit on Oct. 18 and 19. The event, presented by the NorthEast Foundation, will be one of the final fundraising events for the NorthEast Breast Health Program.
The three-year effort has helped the foundation raise nearly $5.7 million dollars, surpassing its goal of $5.5 million.
“We are in the final year of our breast health campaign,” Meredith Valentine, special events coordinator for the foundation said. “We will continue to raise money until the end of the year for the campaign. So any dollars above and beyond that $5.5 million will go to provide mammograms and breast health services for the underserved.“
One in eight women will develop breast cancer by the age of 85, according to the foundation. Early detection of the disease saves lives.
“The reason for this target is that women in Cabarrus County were not getting mammograms,” Vanderburg-Johnson said. “We are still below the national average, but it’s coming up.“
In 2007, only 36 percent of women in Cabarrus County, and the surrounding counties had mammograms, according to Valentine. The national average is much higher — around 62 percent, she explained.
“The money (raised) paid for the upfitting of an existing building, as well as a mammography coach and all digital equipment, and just being able to locate all the services in one place, where before we had it here, there and everywhere,” Valentine said.
Now the services have one location.
Last year, the fashion benefit event brought in $69,000 for the campaign. The hope is that the event will grow this year and the total amount raised will be around $100,000.
“We are finding that donors and the people within our community are holding strong to continue their support,” Valentine said.
“So many people have a friend or relative that’s been affected by the disease. So I think there is a sense of wanting to assist in a program like this. No matter what the economy is doing,” Vanderburg-Johnson said.
“One of the things we picked up at a conference is that even though we are in a recession, breast cancer is not in remission,” Valentine said. “Breast cancer is still being detected and people are still being treated regardless of the economy.“
They expect more than 900 people to attend the two-night benefit. Stores from all over the area will contribute fashions for the 40 “real models” to wear on the runway.
“The models are community-oriented people from here at NorthEast and cancer survivors,” Vanderburg-Johnson said. “We will be doing some special things since it is our 30th anniversary.”
“In the anniversary chart,” Cook Faggart said. “On the anniversary chart at 30 years you get pearls.“
In the past, the benefit has been held in the hospital and at the Cabarrus Country Club.
The event has grown so much over the years, it is being held this year at the Vintage Motor Club at Gibson Mill.
The foundation took over the event 14 years ago, and they have had three large campaigns. The first multi-year campaign was for Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, then the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital and the current campaign for breast health. The foundation will switch its attention next year to Hospice of Cabarrus County, according to Valentine.
“It’s a way for people in this community to give back,” Cook said.
Tickets are $25, which includes the fashion show, wine and hors d’oe
uvres. Sponsorships or tickets can be purchased by calling 704-403-1369 or online at www.givenortheastfoundation.org.
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