It’s the Fashion to Love your Kidneys. Who Knew? On Saturday Night We All Do.
LIKE MIKE: One of the stars of Twilight and Extraordinary Measures, Ayanna Berkshire , as well yours truly, Byron Beck, are the co-emcees of a very fashionable show with local designers this Saturday night at California Closets to benefit "MIKE."
So what is MIKE? It's the Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program. MIKE works to enrich the lives of teens and empower them to be ambassadors of health in vulnerable youth populations prone to obesity, diabetes and negative social situations. The event will showcase the latest in local fashions including Betty Jean Couture (above), Bon Lou Couture and Christa Taylor, along with O’Pearl Jewelry and The Real McCoy® Purses and will feature Fox 12’s Sophie Soong as a celebrity model.
Who knew dressing up a healthy message could look so good?
The Details:
What: It’s the Fashion! to Love your Kidneys; A Fashion Show Benefit for MIKE Program.
Where: California Closets Showroom, 1225 SE Grand Ave., Portland, Oregon 97214
When: Saturday, March 13, 2010 (in recognition of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day).
Time: Doors open at 5 pm. Show runs from 6-8 pm.
Cost: $30 per person. (Price includes admission, script for beverage/wine and hearty appetizers.) A wine raffle will also be available.
Why: Because everyone deserves to look good and you can’t look your best unless you feel your best.
BONUS STORY BELOW! Click on the “read more” button to read a kidney-warming story about the woman who is not only sharing her space for the fashion show, but also telling us what it's like to be a kidney transplant recipient.
A Kidney Transplant Recipient to Sponsor MIKE Program Fashion Show
PORTLAND─ Judy Romano is opening more than California Closets to MIKE Program for the first annual fashion show on March 13. The show is inspiring Romano to open up about her personal experience with kidney disease. MIKE Program, the name for Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program, works to raise awareness and funding for youth-based healthy lifestyles in the Portland area.
When Romano, who owns and operates California Closets, first learned that she would need a kidney transplant, she confided only with her close friends and family. Romano is one of 600,000 Americans who suffer from polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The hereditary disease causes kidney failure in about half those diagnosed with PKD. Once the disease progresses, Romano and others have only two options, seek dialysis or a transplant.
Romano’s brothers offered to donate a kidney, but they were not a match. Then a close friend offered hers. “I couldn’t imagine asking anyone to give me a body part,” said Romano. “But my friend, Ruthann Marquis, told me that you need something, and I have it. She is so amazing.” Romano had a kidney transplant on September 28, 2009 and named her new kidney, Gracie.
Romano was a patient of Dr. Michael Hartnett, before his death in 2000. His wife, Dr. Cheryl Neal, founded MIKE Program in memory of her husband’s vast contribution to kidney care in Oregon. One of Hartnett’s early colleagues, Dr. William Bennett, is the Medical Director of Legacy Transplant Services where Romano received her transplant. He serves on MIKE Program’s Advisory Board.
“MIKE Program is all about taking care of your kidneys,” said Romano. “I have the good fortune to now see what life is like with good, healthy kidneys.” Since her transplant and initial recovery stage, Romano’s energy level has greatly increased. She’ll need it for the dynamic fashion show set to feature some of Portland’s best designers.
Romano is happy to offer her business as the venue for the show. “Where else are you going to put all those clothes?” she said.
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Last Updated (Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:01)
