by CRYSTAL MILLER
Chairperson
SPRINGFIELD – We all know that women are typically the caregivers in our society. Not much of that has, or will change, any time soon. When a woman receives a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, she often continues to try to care for others during her treatments, until she just physically can’t. Often, women feel a terrible emotional burden when they are ill, because they believe they have failed those they love, feel less attractive, less energetic, and even less reliable. It’s a viscous cycle, because the depression can lead to worsening symptoms.
Then, there’s the financial burden from the insurance copays. A woman can go from contributing as the caregiver and even as a full or partial breadwinner to suddenly feeling she is the reason her family is suddenly in financial crisis. I know one woman who said just one chemotherapy shot personally cost her $6,000! Shannon Brown and I witnessed the entire scenario first-hand, when we recently lost a wonderful friend (and young mother) to breast cancer.
This all brings me to MomProm (www.momprom.org). In 2006, the charity was originally created in the midwest by Betsy Crapps, as a fun means for women to get together and raise funds for a charitable cause of their own choosing. Last year, there were over 50 proms of varying sizes across America. The first ever Western Massachusetts Mom Prom was held on November 24th at the Springfield Marriott this past year, and raised $2,000 for the well-known Rays of Hope Foundation for local breast cancer research and support. The unique aspect of this event was how we pampered actual cancer survivors. The ‘formula’ for the evening was the same as the national Mom Proms: You don’t have to be a mother to attend, you just need to be a woman 21+ years of age. It’s a ladies’ night out and a party with a purpose.
Through donations from local small businesses and private families, tickets were donated so that we could send women ‘to prom’ who have Had or was currently in treatment for varying types of cancer. In White Bridal in Feeding Hills donated a beautiful assortment of brand-new gowns, and local women donated gowns, too, and each ‘survivor’ got to pick one out to keep. At the event, survivors enjoyed having their hair and make-up professionally styled at no cost, and had a much-needed and deserved beautiful meal and enjoyed music from a DJ, as well as some live vocal performances. Lastly, Julie Bloniasz (a survivor of breast cancer herself) photography donated portraits to each survivor.
One survivor described the evening like this: “It’s going to sound pathetic to some, but honestly that night was just so amazing! As a woman who is in the middle of the battle with cancer, and at stage 4 (doom and gloom stage I call it) being able to have one night, where I was able to get my hair and makeup done, and wear a beautiful dress felt amazing. I can honestly say that was the only time that I felt beautiful while battling cancer. I felt amazing. Partly because I was pampered, but also because I don’t go out anymore. My body has been beat up, I feel like I’m 100 years old. No one judged, we were all there to have a good time. I couldn’t wear my heels, but there was no shaming for my doggy slippers. In fact people loved them. It was a judge free zone. So many different dresses. Women from all different walks of life…all there to celebrate life”
This year, the Western Mass Mom Prom is scheduled to kick off the month of breast cancer awareness on October 3, again at the Springfield Marriott. Our hope is to send even more female cancer survivors out, let them know we truly care about their struggle, and help them to feel loved and supported by the entire local community. For more details on the event, to get sponsor or volunteer at the event, or to inquire about ticket sales, please visit us on FaceBook under Western Mass Mom Prom.
