Cohen Children’s Medical Center held its second Shine The Light Sickle Cell Fashion Show on June 19. The day is both Juneteenth — honoring the final end of slavery in America — as well as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
The fashion show featured 15 models between the ages of 12 months and 21 years old, all of whom are patients at Cohen Children’s receiving treatment for sickle cell disease. All the outfits they wore were donated by local stores and designers.
Models showed off both formal wear and casual, sporty looks. They each took two turns down the runway to the riotous applause of family and hospital staff.
“Today is a day where fashion meets purpose, and awareness walks the runway,” said Blandine Alexandre, a nurse at Cohen Children’s Medical Center and the organizer of the fashion show. “Today we shine a light on more than just the challenges. We shine a lot on strength, resilience and the beauty of the sickle cell community.”
Juneteenth was chosen as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day to highlight the fact that the disease mainly affects people of African descent.
Joining the fashion show this year was ABC7 anchor Shirleen Allicot. She accompanied young Miracle Archer down the runway.
Also joining in the celebration was Harlem Globetrotter Hot Shot Swanson, who accompanied multiple models down the runway, and helped them show off some basketball skills.
What is sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is a family of conditions that affect a patient’s red blood cells, causing them to be misshapen. The misshapen cells can become stuck in blood vessels and block blood flow, causing many different symptoms, including extreme episodes of pain; eye, lung and kidney problems; stroke and more. The pain can be sudden and debilitating, and can make living a normal life challenging for many patients. However, all the models shared messages of strength and hope with the audience.
“A teacher once told me, ‘You have sickle cell. Sickle cell doesn’t have you,’” said Christelle Zephir, a 21-year-old patient at Cohen Children’s who is now in nursing school. Christelle said she was inspired to become a nurse by the treatment she received over her years of living with sickle cell.
Donations for the event
The fashion show was possible in part thanks to a donation by noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Mr. Crump recently made a $100,000 donation to Northwell Health to further the health system’s efforts to treat sickle cell disease.
Clothes for the event were generously provided by Black Tie Formals, Charlotte’s Kids, Christie Lauren, Bou De Fleur, Christina Ottaviano, Estelle’s Dressy Dresses, KattieJ NYC, Goat USA and Here Comes the Bridesmaid. Styling for the models was provided by The Luxe Haus Salon & Spa and Amavé Makeup LLC. Andaluz The Artist created a custom backdrop and design for the show.
Other generous donations were made by ACE Hardware, Chick-fil-A, Crumbl Cookies, Dolce & Gelato, Little Sugar Shop, New York Backdrops, Nolan’s Cuisine, and The Cake Don. The Sickle Cell Program at Cohen Children’s Medical Center serves over 500 children and adolescents with sickle cell disease and is one of the largest programs in the tri-state area. It is actively involved in both institutional and national studies that are investigating sickle cell disease and its management to improve care. In December, the hospital became the first in New York to cure a patient of sickle cell by administering Lyfgenia, and new genetic treatment.
