Are you excited about Pearls & Pumps? Tickets are on sale now for the 9th annual event. It’s on Saturday, March 21 at the Omni Louisville Hotel. Pearls & Pumps is a day of shopping, a fashion show and fundraising, all to honor women’s cancer survivors and their health. Funds raised at Pearls & Pumps benefit women’s cancer programs at Baptist Health.
Created in 2004, the foundation assists Baptist Health hospital in providing the most advanced equipment, technology and treatment options to transform patients’ lives. The foundation creates “opportunities for the community to be engaged in our fundraising efforts as we strive to improve the health of our community and provide exceptional care to each and every person who walks through our doors,” says Mary Michael Corbett, executive director of Baptist Health Foundation.
The first Pearls & Pumps in 2012 had 225 attendees at The Olmsted and now 600 or more people attend the gala at the Omni. Through this fun and fabulous event, Baptist Health Foundation has been able to give the Mimi & Charles Osborn Cancer Center more than $580,000. Mary Michael says “100% these funds have been used for patients—to provide reiki and massage therapy, the purchase of wigs and scarves, and Cool Caps to help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, numerous support groups, transportation assistance for patients, and the purchase of new equipment like the Faxitron PathVision, which provides immediate, high-resolution imaging.”
On March 21, doors open at 10 a.m. for boutique shopping, raffles and specialty bars. There will be food stations in the ballroom, and then the fashion show at 1 p.m. This year there are two shopping areas and you can bid for items online from March 1-20 at pearlsandpumps.org.
The 2020 theme is “Enlightened: Lighting a Path of Hope," so you can definitely expect some amazing lighting effects during the fashion show, thanks to producer Chris Fulkerson. “I would love for all guests to leave with an understanding of how important it is to share your light with others,” Chris says. “Sharing our light does not dim our own. Female cancer survivors shine the most light on others. They are the most giving—of advice, love and light.”
Isaac J. Myers, II, M.D. is chief health integration officer for Baptist Health and president of Baptist Health Medical Group. In his spare time, he happens to design couture gowns. The Dr. Myers Couture Collection will be modeled by Dr. Mollie Cartwright. Other models for the show range from 7 to 82 years old and include professional models, cancer survivors, volunteers, doctors and hospital administrators, all of whom will be modeling fashions appropriate for the Derby and Kentucky Derby Festival activities, including galas.
“Pearls & Pumps is a heartwarming fashion show and shopping event,” says Christina Shannon, executive director of Oncology Services at Baptist Health. “This powerful event brings together women of all ages in support of all who have been impacted by cancer. It is a day of remembering, encouraging and supporting women throughout our community.
TOPS Louisville is proud to be a media sponsor of Pearls & Pumps.
Tickets are on sale now for $125 each or VIP Fashionista tickets for $160 each. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information visit PearlsandPumps.org.
