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For Sally Weatherbee, the annual Celebration of Life event organized by Bosom Buddies of Georgia is like a family reunion.
"It's so alive in that room," said Weatherbee, an 18-year breast cancer survivor. "It just gives you something you have to have."
Bosom Buddies is an affiliate program of the Georgia Cancer Foundation. Its 23rd annual Celebration of Life Luncheon and Fashion Show will start at 10:30 a.m. March 11 at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast. After a social hour with a silent auction and exhibitor showcase, the fashion show and luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. The deadline for buying tickets to the event is Friday.
"The first year I was a survivor I attended the celebration luncheon," Weatherbee said. "To walk into a room with 100 other women who were surviving, looking well, it was heartwarming. That group has grown, and there is just a feeling of celebration and a tribute to breast cancer survivors. It gives you the courage to go on yourself."
This year, organizers are expecting a crowd of at least 300. The event emcee will be Star 94 personality Vikki Locke. The keynote speaker will be former DeKalb County CEO Liane Levetan, a 20-year breast cancer survivor. Danielle Beverly, wife of Atlanta Falcons football player Eric Beverly, also will share her survivor story.
The fashion show will feature the latest looks from Parisian at Gwinnett Place mall. The models are all breast cancer survivors.
"This year we're expecting it to be bigger and better," said Dale Israel, director of women's programs for the Georgia Cancer Foundation. "The purpose of Celebration of Life is to celebrate survivorship. We do remember those who are no longer with us, but the thrust is on survivorship."
Weatherbee joined a Bosom Buddies support group after her diagnosis. Although she's forever grateful for the family and friends who surrounded her with love during her fight, she said there's something unique in the relationships she's formed with other survivors.
"Having that special group of women around you is so powerful," she said. "Joining one of those groups takes away that feeling of aloneness. They provide you hope to manage the recovery. Something good comes out of having something bad happen to you."
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
