Designed For A Cure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE design for cure

“Model” Patients Walk the Runway to Raise Money for Cancer Research

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center “Designs” Unique Fundraiser

(Miami, FL – October 29, 2009) – Cancer survivors and their caregivers will bring high fashion to the Design District as they turn into “model” patients to raise money and increase awareness about the importance of cancer research. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine will host “Designed for a Cure” at 7p.m., Wednesday, November 11, at the Moore Building in the Miami Design District.  Attendees will enjoy tastings by dozens of chic South Florida restaurants and caterers, fabulous drinks and more importantly, see the power of cancer survivorship as 12 “model” patients escort their caregivers for a one-of-a-kind fashion show. 

“These survivor patients are a shining example of just how far we’ve come in cancer research,” says W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director of Sylvester.  “We will use this night to celebrate their strength and rededicate our focus toward saving more lives.”  As the only academic-based cancer center in South Florida, Sylvester represents the cutting edge of cancer treatment for the University of Miami and the UHealth System.  “Designed for a Cure” is one of the primary fundraisers that support the research, clinical trials, and compassionate care provided to all patients at Sylvester. 

“Designed for a Cure” is a bi-annual event that draws 500 guests from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, highlighting the broad area that Sylvester physicians and nurses serve.  Formerly known as “Party in the Park at Merrick Park,” this year “Designed” is moving, appropriately, to the Design District’s Moore Building located at 4040 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137.

Guests will enter the Garden Lounge of the historic building and will be welcomed with lavish food from more than 30 leading South Florida restaurants, including Ocean Prime, Blue Door at the Delano and China Grill.  As guests mingle, eat and drink sumptuous libations provided by Southern Wine & Spirits, por Southern Wine & Spirits, Patrón Tequila, Absolut Vodka & Tommy Bahama Rum they’ll have a chance to bid on very special items from designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Hermes and Michele Watches.

The highlight of the evening is the red carpet fashion show where inspiring Sylvester patient-survivors will escort their physicians and nurses down the runway.  “We escorted them through their treatment,” says Dr. Goodwin.  “Now, they are escorting us.”  Women survivors are being outfitted by The Worth Collection, Ltd., while the men will be wearing the latest designs from Perry Ellis.

This year’s fashion fundraiser is under the leadership of a uniquely qualified chairwoman, Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, of Stearns, Weaver, Miller, Weissler, Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.  Buttrick’s dedication comes from a very personal experience.  She was a “model” patient in 2007, having recovered from successful treatment for a renal tumor just two days after delivering her third child.  Dr. Raymond J. Leveillee, professor of urology and member of the Prostate, Bladder & Kidney Site Disease Group at Sylvester, was among the nation’s first physicians to advocate for hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) surgery, and used the minimally invasive procedure on Buttrick.  It made a world of difference in her recovery.

“I am living proof of the expertise and compassion that Sylvester physicians provide,” says Buttrick.  She has assembled an impressive team of dedicated people to ensure the event’s success.  “Sylvester was there for me, so I want to make sure the cancer center can continue to develop new treatments for others.”

To inquire about sponsorships/underwriting opportunities, donate auction items, or purchase a ticket, please visit www.sylvester.org/designedforacure or call the Sylvester Development Office at 305-243-9088.

 

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

Guests will enjoy fabulous tastings from South Florida’s top restaurants including but not limited to: 3030 Ocean, A Thierry’s Catering and Event Design, Ana Paz Cakes, Aroma Espresso, Asia de Cuba at Mondrian, Au Pied de Cochon, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Blue Door at Delano, Café Sambal, Chef David Schwadron Catering & Event Design, Chef Jeff Mcinnis, China Grill, Cold Stone Creamery, DeVito South Beach, D’lish, Fare to Remember Creative Catering, Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & Latam Grill, Jay Kaplan Caterers, Leah & Me, Maitardi, Ocean Prime, Parties by Pat, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, relish Miami, Sara Sharpe Catering, Soyka, Sra. Martinez, Sushi Maki, Timo, Touch Catering.

 

DESIGNED FOR A CURE COMMITTEE:

Jennifer Stearns Buttrick (chair), Shirley Alexiou, Rhonda Barnett, Yolanda Berkowitz, Jackie Bloom, Chanin Carlin, Lisa Carreno , Leslie Diamond, Denny Feinsilver, Ana Hughes Freund, Patty Goldsmith, Janice Gonzalez, Sharon Goodwin, Carla Hill, Elsie Howard, Suzie Leslie, Tracy Leveillee, Betty Lopez-Castro, Rick Morgan, Rachel Greer Narvaez, Lisa Pliner, Trudi Pollack, Carolina Rendeiro, Lily Rosenblatt, Kim Sarkisian, Amy Scharlin, Joan Scheiner, Kara Sharp, Susan Strauss, Mark Trowbridge, Vivian Urbieta, Matt Zucker.

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Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine opened in 1992 to provide comprehensive cancer services and today serves as the hub for cancer-related research, diagnosis, and treatment at UHealth—University of Miami Health System.  Sylvester handles 1,500 inpatient admissions annually, performs 2,400 surgical procedures, and treats more than 3,900 new cancer patients.  All Sylvester cancer specialists are on the faculty of the Miller School of Medicine, South Florida’s only academic medical center.  In addition, Sylvester physicians and scientists are engaged in 200 clinical trials and receive more than $33 million annually in research grants.  Sylvester at Deerfield Beach opened in 2003 to better meet the needs of residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties, and now offers appointments with 30 physicians from 14 of Sylvester’s 15 Site Disease Groups, complementary therapies from the Courtelis Center, and education and outreach events.  Sylvester recently opened a satellite facility in Kendall as well.  http://www.sylvester.org

For more information, please contact:
Lisa Worley
Director of Media Relations                                        
Office: 305-243-5184                                                     
lworley2@med.miami.edu

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