Sunday brunch and fashion show event raises ovarian cancer awareness

A handful of people decked out in teal (the color associated with ovarian cancer awareness) gathered for the sixth annual Breakfast at Tiffany’s Fashion Show and Brunch at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center on Sunday.

More than 315 people attended the event, including cancer survivors, supporters and volunteers. The event aimed to raise funds for cancer research and raise public and educational awareness on ovarian and breast cancer.

“Our hope is that women who attend this event will learn the early signs of ovarian cancer because there was no test for it,” said Freida Weeks, the event organizer and founder of Hope for Heather. “And there is a hope to this event that we educate people and we save their lives.”

Before the fashion show and brunch, attendees could visit vendors for shopping, participate in a silent auction and photo shoot. Vendors were selling cosmetics, candles, wine, chocolate, clothing and handmade accessories. Each vendor donated $100 to the event.

Amy Krohl, a freshman at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, was a volunteer for Younique Products. She said her mother died of ovarian cancer in 2014, and added that she now keeps a positive attitude towards life.

Pamela Conner, an ovarian cancer survivor, said she was diagnosed when she was 39 (two years ago). She said she had a seven-year relationship with her boyfriend and got married a month and half after her treatment. “So I was bold and I had a wig on (at the wedding),” Conner said.

While people enjoyed brunch, ovarian cancer survivors and volunteers of all ages moved with confidence down the runway in the middle of the room.

Weeks, who founded Hope for Heather, said her daughter, Heather Weeks, inspired the organization's establishment. She said in 2008, Heather was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and passed away six months later when she was 24 years old.

Heather worked at the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and was dedicated to spreading the word about it. Weeks said Heather once asked her what she was going to do about ovarian cancer, which encouraged Weeks to take action on fighting back against ovarian cancer.

Before the event came to a close, Weeks asked the audience to help spread awareness for ovarian cancer.

“Last year, we passed out 50,000 symptom cards,” she said. “That is what we want. We are working this year to create some new youth leaders in every high school to start educating young women and millennials about this disease.”