Chic Awearness Charms While Raising Funds to Fight Ovarian Cancer
A wave of teal washed over the W Hotel on a Monday evening in support of the Chic Awearness campaign. Guests were greeted with themed cocktails adorned with butterflies, the symbol of resilience and hope — a feeling that was not lost on the attendees that night. As conversations and camaraderie grew louder, the silent auction still commanded attention. Vacations from Greece to Napa Valley encouraged bidders to dream of jet-setting while supporting a great cause.
The host of the evening was Marci Houff, the founder of Chic Awearness and a pioneer of this fashionable fight for ovarian cancer research. After Marci delivered a touching speech on her survival and dedication to the cause, she introduced guests to Dr. Ben Park, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. His words about the allocation of funds within their research were equally uplifting and refreshingly transparent. Dr. Park had the honor of presenting the 2023 Frances Hill Caldwell Jackson Courage Award to Rio Thorogood in memory of her mother, Marla Raderman, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2019.
George Thorogood, Marla’s loyal husband and a Chic Awearness supporter, took the stage after his daughter to play some of Marla’s favorite songs. Between classic hits, George discussed how painful it can be to stand on the sidelines as a loved one struggles. Noting his wife’s strength, he said, “I found out the hard way who the ‘tough guy’ was in our family.” Although his name is synonymous with “Bad to the Bone,” George’s presence was good-natured and generous.
The musician presented a tough act to follow, but Grace Clayton charmed everyone with her quick wit and auctioneer skills during a spirited live auction. Building on her momentum, Rhori Johnston of News Channel 5 played host to the evening’s final entertainment: the Chic Awearness fashion show, highlighting some of the best local boutiques. Dr. Park even made his runway debut as one of the models.
This inspirational event has been going strong for the past 10 years, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support research and eradication of ovarian cancer. Advancements are made possible by meaningful and memorable fundraisers like Chic Awearness. What we knew of ovarian cancer in the past can now morph into a healthier, more promising future.
