Denim and Diamonds treats women to an interstellar evening

Sep. 13—Thursday night was perfect for spacegirls to shine — no matter which part of the universe they came from.

The Denim and Diamonds fundraiser for the American Cancer Society took place at the Center for Rural Development, and with this year's theme being GALactic Glam, the stars were all over the place, as were the antennae and futuristic hairstyles.

The event was sold out with 950 tickets available. Even though some ticket holders weren't able to attend due to last-minute issues, organizer Brooke Whitis said she expects there were around 850 who came through the door.

Whitis, the senior development managers for the southeast region of the American Cancer Society, said the event went wonderfully.

Of course, it's not just a girls' night out for festive food and company. It's also a chance to remember those who have passed away due to cancer, as well as a chance to honor those survivors who have been diagnosed.

Whitis is fond of saying that anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis is a survivor, whether they have been told that day or they have been in remission for decades. There is a special event during Denim and Diamonds where survivors in attendance are recognized.

"We form a circle, and the women give their name, type of cancer and number of years of surviving," Whitis explained.

She said that in this year's circle there was a woman who had been diagnosed recently, and a few people down the line was a woman diagnosed 30 years ago.

Whitis said that for those who have recently found out they have cancer, hearing from those who have beaten it or who received their diagnosis many years ago is an inspiration.

Whitis also noted that one woman attending Thursday has been diagnosed twice. At the event, she was able to announce that she is currently in remission.

The ladies also pay tribute to those who cannot attend the event by placing a lit candle inside of a glass on the luminaria table.

Those candles represent both those who are still battling cancer and those who are no longer with us.

Event volunteer Brenda Pryor said she has been working for Denim and Diamonds for four years, but the past couple of years have been special to her.

"It actually has been a life changing thing, because when I first started volunteering it was because I was giving to other people," Pryor said. "Then two years ago, I had two aunts who had cancer, and I was able to light luminaries for them. Then I had another aunt who last year was just going through chemotherapy when this (event) started, and I got to Facetime her and show her her luminary and say, 'See all these people who are supporting you and praying for you?' It was just a moving moment, and if I hadn't been here to support Brooke, we wouldn't be able to support my aunt in that way."

Pryor said that the event's volunteers talked about "about how rewarding it is to be able to help and to be able to just give to those who we're supporting through their journey."

Whitis agreed that one of the best parts of the evening is seeing the women supporting each other. "It's a real sisterhood. When we recognize those survivors, you can hear a pin drop. Everyone there is praying and hoping for them. I'm just grateful that the community comes out to support it."

Another aspect Whitis enjoys, she said, is seeing the women get out on the dance floor and boogie to hits from the 80s and 90s. "They are just laughing and having fun. I think as women that doesn't always happen, because we're always taking care of everybody. So it's nice to just see them be out and have fun," she said.

Of course, a galactic-style party deserves a galactic queen, so several women were chosen as candidates to be crowned Queen of the Galaxy. People threw their votes behind a candidate by donating money to their "campaign" — really used as another chance to donate to the American Cancer Society.

By the end of the night, Kaitlyn Eads was given the crown, after having raised $949.

And in a surprise for Whitis and the organizers, another donation was handed over, courtesy of the Hillbilly Jeep Krew.

The group presented Denim and Diamonds with a check for $5,000, which was raised in honor of Gina Swiney, a member of the Krew who passed away from cancer earlier this year.

There were also other tributes to those who have passed away. Whitis said that one of the businesses that sponsored a table, Somerset Pediatrics and Adolescents, brought in a picture of Dr. Anita Fackler-Waller, one of their doctors who died of cancer in 2015.

The Somerset Pediatrics and Adolescents group also went all out when decorating their table for the theme, not only bringing space-themed plates and cups but also bringing a full-sized telescope for the centerpiece.

All businesses and groups that bought a table were able to come in early and decorate, so that each space had a unique atmosphere.

Whitis praised the decorative abilities of everyone who participated, noting that not only do the ladies go all out in working on the theme, but everyone interprets the theme differently.

The money raised for the event goes towards funding research and programs such as the Hope Lodge, a free place for cancer patients and their families to stay while they are receiving treatments. There are more than 30 lodges around the country, with one located in Lexington.

Carla Slavey can be reached at [email protected]