NATIONAL PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION HOSTED “FASHION FUNDS THE CURE” IN TAMPA TO INSPIRE PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS

TAMPA, FL (May 16, 2023) – This past weekend, the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) presented “Fashion Funds the Cure” at Raymond James Stadium and honored the lives of pediatric cancer warriors in an upscale fashion event. Each Tampa child battling cancer had the opportunity to express what they want to be when they grow up and walk the runway as the crowd celebrated their dreams.

“We are grateful for all of the children at this event and the people supporting them. They represent the 43 children diagnosed with cancer every day in the US and the need for better treatment options,” said CEO of NPCF David Frazer. “Through this event alone, the foundation raised $650,000, and we are honored to now fund more research to identify promising, less toxic, novel therapies to treat and eliminate childhood cancer.”

On Friday night, seventeen children were featured alongside multiple celebrities and companies:

1. Six-year-old “Charlie” led the lineup with MLB Hall of Fame & Atlanta Braves player – Chipper Jones – who played catch with Charlie on the runway.
2. Four-year-old “Triniti” danced down the runway with an ensemble of ballet dancers from Tampa City Ballet and the University of Tampa.
3. Seven-year-old “Gage” forecasted the weather with Tampa Meteorologists WFLA TV 8 Amanda Holly, and Fox 13 David Osterberg and Tony Sadiku.
4. Seven-year-old “John” – our future doctor was mentored by Dr. Trish Larkin – St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
5. Ten-year-old “Elizabeth” expressed her desire to be a fashion designer with Christina Sparks – CEO of Soulgani activewear.
6. Three-year-old “Leo” scored a huge goal skating on the runway with Tampa Bay Lightning’s Vinnie Lecavalier and Braydon Coldburn, and the Tampa Bay Bulls Hockey club
7. Six-year-old “Kyla” showcased her future veterinary skills with the Humane Society’s Dr. Eric Pindar and SPCA’s Dr. Sharon Pindar
8. Seventeen-year-old “Misael” – a future entomologist hunted several large bugs with researchers from the University of Florida
9. X year-old “Hayley” – wants to be a Herpetologist and study amphibians and was escorted by the Suncoast Herpetologist Society
10. Ten-year-old “Sophia” – a future chef – cooked up the runway with First Watch Head Chef – Shane Schaibly, Chef Amanda Magadan with Savor Life, and Streetlight Taco’s Executive Chef – Michael Brannock
11. Seventeen-year-old “Jayden” who wants to be a football player, scored a huge win with TB Buccaneer Charles Snowden
12. Six-year-old “Aviana” – was not able to participate, but our future pizza chef – still took a “slice out of cancer” with Marco’s Pizza mascot and Franchise owners Jon & Robin Gaudineer and Scott Becker
13. Eight-year-old “Alyza” portrayed her desire to be a child life specialist with a team from St. Josephs’ Children’s Hospital: Erin Frost, Hayleigh Larmore, Hannah Murry, and Liz Walters
14. Nine-year-old “Gavin” showed he will wrestler cancer with known wrestlers Apollo Crew and Omos Omogbehi
15. Five-year-old “Bexley” celebrated Mother’s Day by walking along the runway with her mom Jenny and Grandmother Deb.
16. Nine-year-old “Tyler” shared his future sports broadcasting skills with ESPN personality and cancer survivor Merril Hoge
17. Seven-year-old “Ben” – marveled everyone with an entire cast of Marvel Characters: Captain Marvel, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Storm, and Iron Man.

The US government only spends 4% of the millions of dollars devoted to cancer research on pediatric cancer. Our team at the NPFC is able to continue to help fund the cure through our nationwide runway tour, keeping these children top of mind as they fight this disease each day. To donate or learn more, please visit NationalPCF.org.