Glam-A-THON Struts Its Stuff to Fight Breast Cancer

Glam-A-THON is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to take the fear out of breast cancer and mobilize women in their community. Now in its seventh year, Glam-A-THON sponsors a series of fabu fundraisers that raise funds to fight breast cancer and help those who live with the disease.

The founder and president of Glam-A-THON is Tammy Gail, herself a breast cancer survivor. "Everyone is faced with a crossroads moment in their lives," Gail said. "Mine was being diagnosed with breast cancer. I realized that many women and men, some that I know and many that I do not, will also be given the same frightening news. That forced me to stop thinking about myself and the illness. We can either use change for good or allow it to paralyze us with fear. I chose to make cancer work for me. So six years ago I assembled the Dream Team of friends, family, and supporters to help develop Glam-A-THON and spread the message that there are resources in our community to help breast cancer patients when their days seemed darkest."

Gail's "Dream Team" is a "who's who" of Broward County's professional women: Hope Schraeter, Beth Dreyfuss (Cherry Bekaert L.L.P), Traci Allyn Shur (Broward Health Foundation), Dr. Archana Maini (Broward Health Medical Center), Judith Honorowski (Sweet Messages) and Lais Pontes (The Pontes Group).

"Funds raised from Glam-A-THON events benefit Broward Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Broward Health. Funds are directed to the Lillian S. Wells Women's Center at Broward Health Medical Center and the Lisa Boccard Breast Center at Broward Health Coral Springs," Gail said. "The partnership of Glam-A-THON and Broward Health Foundation has allowed hundreds of women who are uninsured or underinsured to receive mammograms, diagnostic testing, treatment and assistance in battling breast cancer. We want to make sure that the Glam-A-THON fund addresses human needs as well for women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Often these women are unable to drive after treaent, so a taxi service is provided to offer transportation to and from treaent to those that need it."

The first Glam-A-THON event of the 2013-2014 season was Fired Up!, held Sept. 9 at Grille 401, featuring the shirtless talents of the South Florida Firefighters Calendar Men. On Sept. 12 Glam-A-THON hosted a screening of the movie "Kinky Boots" at Cinema Paradiso, Fort Lauderdale's art theater.

More than a hundred women and a few men enjoyed an outrageous night of film, food, fun and female impersonators. Participants enjoyed the benefits of a cash bar and a variety of food donated by Michele's Dining Lounge, Big Louie and other establishments. Some of the more adventurous women entered a "kinky boots" contest hosted by Nathalie Rodriguez from Y100 radio station. Local drag legend Lady Fancy and her troupe posed for photos before the movie and gave a surprise performance during the climax of "Kinky Boots." (Already a cult classic, "Kinky Boots" inspired the Tony Award-winning musical of the same name.) The evening ended with an after-party at Michele's Dining Lounge where a percentage of the proceeds were donated to Glam-A-THON.

The next Glam-A-THON event is the Lipstick Lounge and Big Boys Toy Chest - because you can't leave the boys out - on October 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. This is followed October 13 by the annual Glam Doll Strut where women, men, kids, pets and others get together for the hippest stiletto extravaganza to hit the streets of Fort Lauderdale.

For more information about these and other Glam-A-THON events, visit the web site: www.glam-a-thon.com