Posted 5 hours ago
ERICA BAJER
The Daily News
Wanda Rich is in the mood to celebrate life.
She has a lot to be thankful for — the Chatham woman has been cancer free for two years.
Rich will strut her stuff at the 14th annual Celebrate Life Fashion Show on April 21.
It will be her second time modeling in the show, which is a fundraiser for the Chatham-Kent branch of the Canadian Cancer Society.
"The show is a celebration of life for people who are cancer survivors," she said. "As a cancer survivor, it's one way that I can contribute."
Rich was diagnosed with colon cancer in September of 2007.
She had two surgeries and a dozen rounds of chemotherapy before getting a clean bill of health.
Every six months Rich goes for a checkup, which will continue for another few years. She said once a colon cancer survivor has been cancer free for five years, they are officially clear.
Rich said she knows first hand the value of the cancer society and the important work it does.
"There's been so much success with cancer research and the new drugs they are using," she said. "It's wonderful. They've had lots of positive results."
Rich said the cancer society offered her valuable supports during her battle against the disease, including peer support from a 12-year survivor of colon cancer. The woman, from Vancouver Island, B.C., would call Rich regularly to offer a listening ear and share her experiences.
Rich said everyone in her life, from her three children and friends to her coworkers, were very supportive through her fight with cancer.
"I'm just so blessed to have all of those people in my life," she said.
The Celebrate Life Fashion Show was started by Marie Anderson of Nina Marie's Boutiques and Ryan's Room to honour her mother's fight with breast cancer.
"I started this event to honour people with cancer, to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society and to share risk reduction and early detection messages," Anderson said in a news release.
She said the most touching and empowering element of the fashion show is the models – each of which shares his or her personal cancer journey with the audience.
The show features fashions by Nina Marie's Fashion Boutiques, Ryan's Room, Enchantment Bridal and Formal Gowns and Merlo Formal Rental & Sales.
The event, at Club Lentina's, starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $35 and include door prizes, refreshments and dessert. New this year is a live auction vacation package which includes roundtrip airfare for two to Portugal, one week car rental with unlimited mileage and a seven night stay in a one-bedroom apartment in the Algarve, compliments of Accord Tours and JardimDoVau.
Tables can be reserved with the purchase of 10 tickets. Tickets are available at the Canadian Cancer Society office at 746 Richmond St. in Chatham.
ebajer@chathamdailynews.ca
