RFR’s Western Cape volunteers and survivors shone in a glamorous fashion show fundraiser at KAMERS/Makers at Blaauwklippen Vineyards in Stellenbosch in 2022 and 2023.
For the first time in KAMERS|Makers history, and for the best reason, SA’s favourite artisan ‘up’-market, partnered with SA’s oldest breast cancer organisation, Reach for Recovery (RFR) for a first-of-its-kind fundraiser fashion show featuring local Cape-based breast cancer survivors.
The event is the first in a new CSI partnership between RFR and KAMERS, that will hopefully see similar activities taking place each year in Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, and possibly even Pretoria.
The Punch for Pink campaign
The fashion show was the highlight of the 2022 and 2023 “Punch for Pink Campaign”, organised and led by Reach for Recovery brand ambassador, Marli Du Toit, who is passionate about helping breast cancer patients reclaim their femininity and about spreading awareness about this beatable disease.
Under the trees at Blaauwklippen
This first-ever fashion show with a difference is held each year at KAMERS/Makers’ Stellenbosch venue, Blaauwklippen Vineyards with between 30 and 50 breast cancer survivors taking to the ramp. All models were dressed in the latest designs of Makers exhibiting at the market.
Recent recipient of Reach to Recovery International’s highest accolade, the Terese Lasser Award, RFR National Chair, Stephné Jacobs, flew down from Pretoria to participate in both shows and lead the RFR team. Stephné gave a welcome speech expressing the importance of the work our organisation does.
Creativity and confidence were truly at the forefront of this groundbreaking event which also managed to raise over R100 000 toward maintaining RFR’s nationwide services.
As Stellenbosch Visio’s Karla De Bod described it: “The models took to an oak tree-lined catwalk with sunbeams for spotlights, Blaauwklippen served as the perfect setting for this fabulous fashion event with a difference.”
Models included a number of participants from the RFR Cape Peninsula, Tygerberg, Somerset West/Stellenbosch and Paarl branches as well as other non-volunteer survivors.
The confidence, joy, and grace displayed by these survivors in this celebration of courageous femininity had many of the crowd in tears. It was a moving celebration of overcoming the odds and coming out stronger on the other side.
The Euphoria He(art) Gallery
Visitors TO KAMERS/Makers were also able to enjoy a photo exhibit of some of the models in a glamorous gallery designed and sponsored by RFR’s CSI partner, Euphoria Telecom.
At the 2022 show, the gallery was positioned next to RFR’s ‘Books for Boobs” lounge where volunteers spent the week raising both funds and awareness.
Almost R50 000 was raised at the lounge via donations from the public, while Euphoria Telecom made an additional cash donation of R50 000 matching the amount raised at the lounge.
In 2023, Euphoria launched the “Sticky Note” campaign to raise funds and awareness for Reach for Recovery. Read more about the campaign here.
