Runway of Resilience

About the Program

September 29th, 2024: Chicago, IL
Salvage One, 1840 W Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60622

Overview

Join us for an evening of inspiration, creativity, and resilience at Twist Out Cancer’s Runway of Resilience fashion show. This unique event brings together former Brushes with Cancer designers who will be creating unique designs that will be modeled by individuals touched by cancer.

At Runway of Resilience, the runway becomes a symbol of strength and courage. Former Brushes with Cancer artists pour their experiences, emotions, and creativity into each design, reflecting the diverse stories of those impacted by cancer. These designs will be worn proudly by models who have faced their own journeys with cancer, showcasing strength, resilience and hope.

Learn more by checking out the program FAQs.

Purchase Tickets and Sponsorship

The Emcee and Keynote Speaker

Mary Ann Childers

Res Publica Group

Mary Ann Childers is best known to Chicagoans as one of the most recognized and respected voices in Chicago broadcasting. As an anchor and reporter at ABC & CBS-owned stations, she reported virtually every major story in the region for more than 20 years. Today, as consultant to Res Publica Group, she specializes in strategic communications, crisis consulting, and honing on-camera skills for top business executives, civic leaders, and high-profile Chicagoans.

Ethan Zohn

Ethan Zohn gave the word survivor a whole new meaning. Winning CBS SURVIVOR: Africa’s $1 MILLION dollar prize, was the springboard to an exceptional life of social purpose, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Ethan is a former professional soccer player, a two-time cancer crusher, TV personality, author and co-founder of Grassroot Soccer (GRS) which is an adolescent health organization that uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire and mobilize communities to improve health. Over the last 20 years, Ethan has been an important force in driving the strategic direction of GRS and building partnerships that have helped to provide life-saving education for more than 25 million young people in 65 countries. Since publicly sharing his two battles with CD20+ Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and two stem cell transplants, Ethan has been named a global ambassador for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Twist Out Cancer, StandUp2Cancer, AKTIV Against Cancer, EO Care and others. With a thirst for traveling, his TV hosting and charitable work has brought him to over 50 countries, focusing on sports for social good, outdoor adventure, health and wellness. As an international keynote speaker, Ethan delivers deeply-felt presentations, rich in personal strength, utilizing the power of sport, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy, inspiring audiences to answer life’s questions and opportunities with strength and conviction of character. and Winner of Survivor Africa.

The Designers

Sujata Gazder

Brushes with Cancer Artist and Fashion Designer

As a little girl growing up in India, Sujata Gazder was fascinated by the sumptuous, glittering world of the country’s fashion and art. The rich brocades of Banares, the exquisite pietra dura mosaics at the Taj Mahal, and the way women wrapped saris to look as cool as a great pair of jeans all contributed to her belief in the stunning impact of well-placed details.

Learn More

Mahwish Syed

Brushes with Cancer Inspiration and Fashion/Interior Designer

Mahwish Syed is an award-winning fashion and interior designer, best-selling author, cancer survivor, and a proud mother. She has dressed bodies and houses for more than two decades. She designs beautiful environments that heal and nourish her clients, which have been featured in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, and Hamptons Cottages & Gardens. Her best-selling book PURGATORY TO PARADISE describes her cancer journey, how she healed through design, and is available on Amazon and Audible.

Learn More

Sonya Keshwani

Brushes with Cancer Inspiration, Twist Out Cancer Board Member, and Founder of StyleEsteem

Sonya Keshwani, the founder of StyleEsteem Wardrobe, has an inspiring story of resilience and creativity. As a breast cancer survivor, she experienced the challenges of losing her hair to chemotherapy at the young age of 29. Frustrated with the limited options available for head coverings, she decided to take matters into her own hands and design her own solution. Being a creative person, Sonya drew from her love of fashion and began visiting a fabric shop after each chemotherapy infusion and experimented with her mom’s sewing machine. As her personal turban collection started to grow, so did her confidence, as she regained her voice and power through this new passion. Inspired by the elegant and feminine silhouette of the turban, she made the bold move and launched StyleEsteem Wardrobe, the first fashion label to design headwear according to the season and occasion.

Learn More

Anna Warner Mayes

Brushes with Cancer Inspiration and Founder of the Lipstick Journey

Every woman's life takes a different path; mother, daughter, sister, friend. I am all of these, plus I have cancer. This has been my journey for over 10 years, and the fight is real. I am a fighter. A lot has changed for me in the past decade, but what has not is my relationship with lipstick. I have always loved it, and because of my theater experience I learned about the transformative power of color at a young age.

Learn More

Zara Tisch

Terez

When Zara Terez Tisch and Amanda Schabes Zeligman were growing up they spent their nights and weekends writing songs and screenplays that they performed in Terez Tisch’s basement. Two decades later, you can sense the same creativity walking into their offices at Terez, the clothing brand they founded together, where the spark that united them as kids prevails as they sing renditions of RENT and chat about their favorite foods (BBQ for Terez Tisch and anything chocolate for Schabes) in between meetings.

Learn More

Jeri Zaslavsky

BE LOVED Jewelry

The BE LOVED collection focuses on sophisticated, timeless and modern classic pieces that are meant to be worn from day to night and from work to play. In keeping with her mantra, Jeri designs jewelry that speaks and touches the soul, using a combination of sterling silver, 14k yellow, rose, and white gold, leather, pave diamonds and stones. Each piece can be worn alone, stacked or layered to create a look that’s unique to you.

Learn More

Samuel Pizzo

Gold Coast Bespoke

Samuel Pizzo, the innovative founder and Creative Director of Gold Coast Bespoke, brings his passion for custom menswear to the Twist Out Cancer runway. With a focus on creating luxurious, personalized clothing, Sam has established Gold Coast Bespoke as a premier destination for custom suits, tuxedos, and more in Chicago. This charity holds a special place in Sam’s heart, as he lost his beloved girlfriend to a rare form of cancer at the age of 23. Through his participation in the Twist Out Cancer event, Sam aims to honor her memory and support those currently battling cancer. His dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and personal connection to the cause make his contribution to the event truly meaningful.

Learn More

Jonny Imerman

CLOZTALK

At 26 years old, Jonny was diagnosed with advanced cancer. He went through two years of chemo and surgeries. The group of young survivors he met at the hospital during that time were so grateful for their respective recoveries, they felt they wanted to give back. Inspired by the learning from Imerman Angels, Jonny and Jeff decided to start CLOZTALK, a new kind of apparel company – one that would be 100% dedicated to generating awareness, sparking conversations, and bringing people together over the multitude of important charities and causes that are making a difference in the world. Jonny has been a supporter of Twist Out Cancer since it’s very early days.

Learn More

The Entertainment

Wicked Drawl

Live acoustic music that will be sure to get you out of your seat!

Learn More

DJ John Simmons

DJ extraordinare, musician and Twist Out Cancer regular.

Learn More

Sam Barsh

is a music producer, songwriter and keyboardist. His discography of over 350 recordings includes 18 Gold and Platinum certifications, 2 #1 singles, 4 #1 albums, and 4 GRAMMY wins out of 12 nominations. Through his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Aloe Blacc, Kanye West, Doja Cat and The Weeknd, he has played a significant role in reincorporating sophisticated harmony into popular music. Heavily steeped in the jazz world as well as pop, hip-hop and R&B, Barsh toured and and recorded with iconic bassist and composer Avishai Cohen’s trio for 3 years, and had worked with artists including Cassandra Wilson, Gregory Porter, Roy Hargrove, Snarky Puppy, Lonnie Plaxico and Robin Eubanks, as well as leading his own groups.

Learn More

The Models

Tommy Holl

Gudrun Snyder

Cathy McKinnon

Edith Mudroch

ReShelle Matheny

Jenna Benn Shersher

Noa Shersher

Marie Wynn

Emilia Stepasky

Doretha Burrell

Lauren Edelston

Lauren Lopriore

Soraya Fata

Erin Powers

David Shersher

Anna Warner-Mayes

Emma Lyons

Fleurette Elia

Chelsea Lewis-Bahr

Marty Hogan

Ethan Zohn

Bill Egan

Lindsey Hammersmith

Ella Hawk

Alejandro Isaac

Andrew Edelston

Sam Pizzo

Nicole Leon

Brad Friedman

Expressing Individuality and Confidence

We believe that fashion plays a powerful role in expressing individuality and confidence, especially for those who have faced challenging experiences. By showcasing unique and empowering designs, we hope to inspire and uplift both the participants and attendees and raise money for the mission and work of Twist Out Cancer which provides psychosocial support to individuals touched by cancer through creative arts programming.

Live Runway

Featuring Couture Designs by Sujata Gazder. High End Head Pieces by Sonya Keshwani and more.

Models

All participating runway models have been touched by cancer and have been active members of the Twist Out Cancer community.

*One of a kind gown pictured right was created for Brushes with Cancer by Sujata Gazder

"Runway of Resilience" Sponsorship Levels and Tickets

“Runway of Resilience” relies on generous sponsors to celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of individuals who have been touched by cancer. Please explore our sponsorship levels below.

Tickets include live entertainment, cocktails, seated dinner, unique art experiences and access to the runway show.

Check out the Runway of Resilience Sponsorship Brochure

Purchase Sponsorship and Tickets