Fashion show raises nearly $44,000 for Lee Health Cancer Institute

The Lee Health Cancer Institute Fashion Show and Luncheon held March 12 at Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers raised nearly $44,000 to benefit the Lee Health Cancer Institute. The sold-out event featured an awards luncheon, benefit auction and fashion show.

“This event is a vital way to recognize the individuals and organizations that make a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Deb Wilson, vice president of operations at Lee Health Cancer Institute. “From financial contributions that expand our services to the support of retail partners, every effort helps improve patient care and brings us closer to a cure.”

The lively fashion show featured contemporary and stylish apparel modeled by residents and provided by Razzle Dazzle of Cape Coral, House of Wu of Fort Myers, and Dillard’s Edison Mall in Fort Myers. Attendees also had opportunities to bid on dozens of silent auction baskets that included gift certificates, cruises, food and wine, electronics, rounds of golf, hotel stays, spa treatments, fashion accessories, jewelry, chocolate and more.

Sponsors of this year’s event included Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee and Advocate Radiation Oncology.

Also at the event, Lee Health recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to cancer care in Southwest Florida by offering unwavering support to patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Awards recipients included:

• Richard Weatherford for the Guardian Award, recognizing a family member supporting a cancer patient through treatment. Weatherford, 82, has been by his stepdaughter Tamra’s side for the entirety of her journey since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. Weatherford is currently facing his own battle with melanoma and the worsening health of his 83-year-old wife, Kay. Tamra said she doesn’t know what she would do without him.
• Rhonda Kesterson for the Angel Award, recognizing a non-family member supporting a cancer patient through treatment. Kesterson has collaborated with local hospitals, clinics and advocacy organizations to support patients with financial assistance as well as health and wellness resources. Kesterson has been an oncology nurse, a patient educator, and an oncology nurse navigator for the past four years.
• Julia Kellberg and Cindi DeBrino for the Big Heart Award, recognizing cancer survivors who give back to the community. Kellberg is a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council, a group of volunteers from the community that have been touched by cancer. Kellberg spent countless hours creating a “New Patient and Caregiver Guide” now used by Lee Health Cancer Institute. DeBrino, a breast cancer survivor, is a trusted volunteer at the Cancer Alliance Network assisting with administrative tasks ranging from client services and community outreach to helping track and organize the donations that support thousands of individuals with cancer and their families in Southwest Florida.
• Kathy Tolentino for the Phoenix Award, recognizing a community member who through education or development of new resources has contributed to reshaping cancer care in the community. For more than 30 years, Tolentino has worked tirelessly to support cancer patients and their families as director of Partners in Care. The foundation offers financial support, cancer screenings, patient support groups and educational programs, serving more than 9,000 patients in 18 states since 2007 while providing more than $1 million in aid.
• Karen Diaz for the Dee Congress Super Star Volunteer Award, recognizing a cancer survivor who gives back to local organizations that fundraise in support of cancer patients. This is the inaugural Dee Congress Super Star Volunteer Award, presented by Melissa Congress of Congress Jewelers. Dee Congress, co-founder of Congress Jewelers, was a lover of the arts and a philanthropist of many causes important to her. This award is in honor of her dedication serving members affected with lymphedema. The special award, made on Sanibel, will be presented annually at the Lee Health Cancer Institute event. A new volunteer recipient will be honored annually with a Sealife by Congress Starfish Pendant.

For more information about the Lee Health Cancer Institute or to donate, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/FashionForCancer.

About Lee Health Foundation

Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health to establish, expand and enhance innovative, lifesaving and preventative programs. The Foundation provides financial support for all five Lee Health hospitals including Golisano Children’s Hospital as well as many service areas including Lee Health Cancer Institute, Lee Health Coconut Point, The Rehabilitation Hospital, Lee Health Heart Institute, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Health Center in Naples. Over the last year, the Foundation has distributed more than $27 million to support Lee Health’s mission. Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call 239-343-6950 for more information about the role of Lee Health philanthropy in Southwest Florida.