Shannon Schmidt was a little nervous when she first modeled in last year's Strut Your Style Holiday Fashion Show and Luncheon. It was just more than a year after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
For 20 years Schmidt, who works in nuclear medicine at Jefferson City Medical Group, had a spot in her breast, but her yearly mammograms never showed anything. Then in June 2015 it showed up, and she went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments before a double mastectomy in January 2016 and reconstruction surgery in August 2016.
Schmidt joined other breast cancer survivors to model winter clothing trends and elegant evening wear from local businesses at the 2016 fundraiser for the Community Breast Care Project, highly enjoying the experience and the cause that was near and dear to her heart.
This year's event was Wednesday at a new venue, Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. Schmidt enjoyed the chance to walk the new T-shaped runway with 22 other breast cancer survivors.
"I loved the new runway this year and was really able to strut my stuff," Schmidt said with a laugh. "I really love this show and have enjoyed being a part of it. It's so much fun."
That fun is what drew more than 300 guests to the fourth annual Strut Your Style, setting a new attendance record. While browsing silent auction items including a 55-inch screen television and cruise aboard a Sea Ray boat at Lake of the Ozarks, guests talked with medical experts from SSM Health, JCMG, JCMG Laser and Vein Center, Capital Region Medical Center and other health care providers, who offered educational information regarding breast health and early cancer detection.
Each survivor model showcased two outfits in the latest trends from Saffees, Dillard's, Samuel's Tuxedos and American Shoe; hair styles from Super Hair; and makeup from JCMG Laser and Vein Center.
Five doctors escorted the 23 models - including three men - down the runway: Dr. Shadi Haddadin, Dr. Jonathan Roberts, Dr. James Lin, Dr. Nolyn Nyatanga and Dr. Raonak Ekram. Gaspare Calvaruso, president of Capital Region Medical Center Hospital, and Brent VanConia, CEO for SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, also assisted models off the runway.
"It is educational, it is a lot of fun, and it is inspirational," said Sherrie Brant, co-chairperson for Strut Your Style. "We see these beautiful ladies (and men) from all walks of life and all ages looking fantastic and telling you: you can survive."
Since 2007, the Community Breast Care Project has helped women and men diagnosed with breast cancer in Cole, Callaway, Osage, Miller, Morgan, Moniteau and Camden counties.
"The Community Breast Care Project helps patients individually with a $500 donation. The patient may use this money as they wish wigs, rides to the hospital for treatment, etc.," Brant said, noting Strut Your Style contributes to about 40 recipients in the program annually.
To date, the Community Breast Care Project has distributed $142,200 and helped nearly 50 individuals with a $500 check. Schmidt was one of those recipients.
"I received a grant from the Community Breast Cancer Project, which helped me greatly after I was diagnosed and going through treatments," Schmidt said. "This is my way of giving back."
See photos and read more about funds raised during this year's Strut Your Style Holiday Fashion Show and Luncheon, fashions showcased, and breast cancer survivors and doctors involved in the News Tribune's Dec. 10 Style section.