GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — StudioCor3 on Front Avenue NW was packed on Friday night as the venue hosted the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber's Fifty Shades of Red fashion show. Along with models hitting the runway in cutting-edge fashion, there was a live DJ, vendors and artists doing live paintings.
But the real mission of the night was raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
"I really am inspired by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, because of the work that they do, not just for blood cancers, but for other cancers as well, and that's not a really big fact that's known out there," said Alexandra Wilson who is a part of the local leadership team with LLS.
"A lot of the treatment options that are offered to other forms of cancer start because of the research of LLS. And today, we're raising money for advocacy, to help raise awareness about that, to raise money for research, and to raise money for patient and child support."
Wilson, who has lost two grandparents to cancer, says it's exciting to be a part of the solutions that will help prevent future cancer-related tragedies. She's seen first-hand what a difference something like Friday night's event can make.
"I have a personal friend, she grew up with leukemia, and with that, battling blood cancers in the hospital, she missed all of third grade. Now she is 19, almost 20 years old, and she's thriving, and she just got engaged, and it's all because of all of the forms of support," she said.
"Everyone has a connection to cancer, and so it's a really fun way to give back. And LLS makes it such an easy way to do that."
If you didn't get to attend Friday night's event, Wilson says visiting LLS.org is a good way to figure out how to get involved with future events, or to make a donation to the cause.