SEDALIA — Cancer Perks will host its seventh annual Rock the Runway fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 17, at The Venue in downtown Sedalia.
Cancer Perks Director Kelsie Morris said this is her first year to organize the event since taking the helm of the nonprofit organization. She added it’s an event to honor current cancer fighters, survivors, and people who want to walk in memory of a loved one or in honor of a loved one who has fought and won their battle. The money raised goes back into Cancer Perks.
Cancer Perks helps cancer patients with many things at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, and Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.
“We can help financially if someone needs a small bill paid,” Morris said. “Anything that’s important to the patient is important to us. We’ll try to help in any way that we can.”
Cancer Perks also reimburses the patient for gas money, 25 cents per mile up to $500, if they have to travel for cancer treatments.
Morris said the Rock the Runway event financially carries Cancer Perks through the year. They also partner with local clothing shops for the event.
“We partner with local boutiques, so we have eight that we partner with each year,” she noted. “They’re different every year. So, we try to get a different array of styles.
“We send a handful of models to each boutique, and they get to pick out their own clothes,” she continued. “Whatever makes them feel the best. And then they walk in that outfit that they pick out.”
Morris said the two-hour event is for patients but also highlights local fashion in the area and is fun. Tickets cost $30, and there is also a silent auction. The cost of the event includes food and drinks.
“This year, we are doing everything digital,” Morris said. “It is an in-person event, but ticket sales are digital, and the auction is also going to be digital.”
Ticket sales are on the Cancer Perks Facebook page, and for the auction, if people can’t attend but would still want to bid, there is a link on the Facebook page to register as a bidder.
This year will see a Las Vegas/casino theme, and guests are encouraged to dress the part.
“It’s Lucky No. 7, so people can come dressed in Vegas attire,” she noted. “You can come as dressed down as fancy as you want.”
The event will feature 52 local models who will wear a little bit of everything.
“It’s whatever their style is,” Morris said. “They go to a boutique and pick out whatever makes them feel good.”
Models for the event usually reach out to Cancer Perks each year.
“If we get down to the wire and need a few more, we can reach out to others,” Morris explained. “We like to keep it half new and half returning.
“So, models can walk two years,” she continued. “And then they can always attend the event, but they can only walk two years.”
Morris said the event usually sells out, so buying tickets in advance is best.
“We’re really excited,” she added. “It’s going to be a lot of fun (and) heart-warming.”
Cancer Perks Rock the Runway event will be hosted from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at The Venue, 219 S. Ohio Ave. in Sedalia. The cost is $30, and tickets can be purchased on the Cancer Perks Facebook page.
Faith Bemiss-McKinney can be reached at 660-530-0289 or on Twitter @flbemiss.
