Put rising country star Brett Kissel together with a runway show, and you have an October night to remember as Shaw Conference Centre plays host to Fashion with Compassion for the 20th straight year, which has and will feature familiar faces as part of its lineup of models.
“It’s the biggest fashion show in all of western Canada, if I’m not mistaken,” says Joni Brodziak, who, along with Brett Kissel’s mom Brenda Kissel, is helping to promote the Oct. 27 fundraising event in St. Paul and area.
Alongside the professional models are people like Brodziak, women who have stayed in Compassion House while undergoing treatment for cancer, the cause for which the event will raise funds.
“When those . . . women come out, it’s usually the highlight of the night,” says Brenda, who is a board member for Compassion House and has also been one of the special models, as she stayed in Compassion House 13 years ago. After facing something so dark and negative, it feels good to take part in an event that makes a woman feel good about herself, she says.
“It’s quite an overwhelming experience for people, not just in the audience, but the models, the family that attend . . . even the professional models,” says Kissel, joking that it’s the first time she sees the professional models smile, when they see their everyday counterparts take the stage.
This year, Brett Kissel serves as honourary chair and will put on an exclusive concert for those attending the gala, giving his time and effort to make sure the cause close to his mother’s heart goes well. The event will also feature fantastic food, wine and dessert, says Kissel, adding, “Most people have never seen anything like this before, let alone a real fashion show.”
While admitting to being a little nervous about taking on the runway, Brodziak says, “I’m happy to participate in any way that gives back.”
Compassion House offers amazing support and first-class treatment at a reasonable cost of $25 a night, and is a “lifeline” for some women who could ill afford to stay in a hotel over five weeks or more of treatment, she says.
Cheryl Mailloux is another among the dozens of local women who have benefitted from the facility, staying there over seven weeks in 2014 while receiving radiation therapy.
“The house is an amazing, amazing place. It’s a home away from home,” she said, adding having the support of the other women who understand what she was going through was equally amazing. While they were guests at Compassion House, the women were invited to come to the 2014 Fashion with Compassion event and were treated like “royalty” while they were there.
“They go above and beyond for you,” she said, adding when she was asked to be a model for the 2015 show, she agreed, wanting to give back. But the event had an unexpected benefit, in giving women a chance to feel beautiful and glamorous too.
“You don’t feel that way when you’re going through your treatments – I struggled with that,” she said, her voice breaking. “To go back and be a model – I mean, who gets to be a model?”
This year, she is glad to be able to buy her ticket and support the major fundraiser after all the support Compassion House has given her.
Brodziak and Kissel want to see several local individuals, businesses and groups also support the event, with Brodziak adding, “We want to say, ‘Come on St. Paul. These are your mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, wives. What can you do to support a stay or the event?”
Kissel adds that the other goal is to spread awareness about the facility.
“Even if one woman decides to stay, it will help her,” she said, adding the house plays a huge role in women’s recovery, not just during her treatments, but afterwards with follow-up support too. “It’s not a house, it’s a home away from home.”
The Oct. 27 event includes a fashion show and midday luncheon, which costs $125 a person, while the evening fashion show and gala costs $275 per person. People can order tickets online at fashioncompassion.ca or call Compassion House for more information or tickets at 780-784-3221.
