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Boone Resident Carol Capristo Represents Local Cancer Survivors, Models in Inaugural Cure By Design Charlotte


Carol Capristo. Photo by Ed Frazier

April 23, 2012. CHARLOTTE — Boone, N.C. resident Carol Capristo was one of 30 local cancer survivors to take the runway in the American Cancer Society’s inaugural Cure By Design event held in Charlotte on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Urban Garden adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte hotel. 

Cure By Design brings the fashion, design and retail communities together with the local corporate community. The focus of this special evening was a fashion show spotlighting designer fashions and, more importantly, local cancer survivors modeling them. The survivor models demonstrated the progress being made in the fight against cancer and portrayed a message of hope for a cure. 

“Cure By Design is ALL about the survivors,” said internationally renowned fashion designer Alex Garfield, who developed the event and has helped coordinate it in various cities. “I understand that fashion can be exciting, but for me, and once anyone experiences a Cure By Design event, it’s ALL about the models’ courage; and the love and tears of joy shared in the room.” 

Among the local cancer survivors who walked the runway were: Mary Ann Albaugh, Dallas; Jacob Barringer, Gastonia; Dr. Beverly Belle, Charlotte; Vicki Borin, Charlotte; Walter Burke, Denver; Carol Capristo, Boone; Keesha Carter, Wingate; Caroline Churchill, Gastonia; Carol Fleming, Huntersville; Traye Gaines, Charlotte; Hilde Harkins, Davidson; Julie Hill, Huntersville; Robyn Hill, Gastonia; Robert Hope, Charlotte; Phyllis Howard, Charlotte; Jane Hutchko, Charlotte; Jordan Jemsek, Charlotte; Kay Jemsek, Charlotte; Tatyana Jennings, Charlotte; Ryan Johnson, Charlotte; La Vonda “Von” Kinloch, Harrisburg; Brenda Kinney, Lincolnton; Olivia McCarthy, Wingate; Gigi Luedeman, Charlotte; Heather Miller, Charlotte; Nancy Ratcliffe, Charlotte; Shannon Routh, Charlotte; and Amy Vance, Matthews. 

Cure By Design Charlotte was presented by Presbyterian Cancer Center with additional sponsorship provided by Belk, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Charlotte Mechanical, Duncan Parnell, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates, Monroe Crossing, Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, Piedmont Natural Gas, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte (REACH), and Southeast Radiation Oncology Group (SERO). Media partners included Adams Outdoor Advertising, CBS Radio, Charlotte Magazine, and WSOC-TV/TV 64. Photography support was provided by Erika Melson Photography, Ed Frazier Photography, Jim Merrill Photography and Kinloch Productions Inc.  

Designers, retailers and beauty industry organizations supporting the event included: Alex Garfield, Peace of Cloth; Belk; Brooks Brothers; Doncaster; Charles Grayson; Halcyon Salons & Spas; Hannibal; Joey Hewell, J. Studio; Lilly Pulitzer; Lotus; Effie Loukas; Luis Machicao Couture; Magic Windows; Joy Randall, Flawless Makeup Art; Salon Tribeca; Scarlett; Talbots; Taylor Richards Conger; Tommy Bahama and Tootsies Too. 

The prestigious event included an elegant reception, live and silent auctions and the survivors’ fashion show. All proceeds are benefitting the American Cancer Society. Sponsorships in a variety of levels are available for next year’s event. For further information, please visit curebydesigncharlotte.org or call 704-552-6147. 

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.