Hats for Hope Fashion Show honors life of Louisville woman who died of cancer
Doctors
By Jamie Mayes
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — Doctors, professional models and cancer survivors walked the runway during the Hats for Hope Fashion Show honoring the life of Kim Heath.
“My mom started the idea for the event while she was doing treatment at Brown Cancer Center. It meant so much to her to be able to give back to the place that gave her extra time with her family,” said Lindsey Gibson, Heath’s daughter.
Heath was a metastatic melanoma cancer patient who was treated at the Brown Cancer Center. Her daughter, Lindsey Gibson, says the care her mother received helped them create more memories together.
“She was given six extra years with us so that’s six Christmases. She was able to meet three of her grandchildren. She was able to see three of her children get married,” Gibson said.
Heath died in January, but her family, UofL Health, and loved ones are continuing her mission to advance cancer research by holding a Derby-themed fashion show.
The money raised from the ticket sales and raffles will go towards clinical trial research and providing support for patients at UofL Health. It’s funding doctors say will help more families in need.
“I think continuing Kim Heath’s legacy is key for our ability to reduce the cancer death rate. Kentucky has the highest death rate from cancer in the country, and we’re ground zero. We’ve got to do something about it right here,” said Dr. Jason Chesney, director and CAO of UofL Health-Brown Cancer Center, “We all have to work together as a community to make sure cancer finally goes away.”
The family says they’re hoping to continue holding the event annually. The Hats for Hope Fashion Show raised more than $25,000.
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