"Reach for the Stars" Touches Hearts and Changes Lives

A fashion show may seem like the last place you'd expect to get a tear in your eye - unless you've ever been to "Reach for the Stars." The 40 men, women, and children who modeled at the April 14 fundraiser for Queen of the Valley's Cancer Center were all cancer survivors, and the standing-room-only crowd cheered them on with an outpouring of love and support.

"It was the experience of a lifetime," says Starr Piner, who co-chaired the event for the first time this year. "All the people who work on this event are so great and so supportive, and the models are totally inspiring. 'Reach for the Stars' is wonderful!"

The show was produced by Lori Morrell, with coaching for the models once again provided by Anthea Tolomei. The sensational fashions were provided by Alpacas of Napa Valley, Barneys of New York, BCBG, Craig Williamson's Menswear, Ellen Tracy, Esprit, Jones New York, Max Studio, McCaulou's Department Store, and Touch of Elegance.

Angie Mueller and Adele Cotter of the Queen's Breast Center and oncology nurse Ruth LaRue were part of a team of QVH employees who helped recruit the models and dress them for the runway. "We couldn't do this event without the quality of people who do all this work behind the scenes," says Starr's co-chair, Jayne Morrell. "And the best thing is that they all really love doing it."

To Angie, the event's value was summed up by the experience of one model, a retired nurse who at first was sure she wasn't glamorous enough for a fashion show. "Afterwards she said to me, 'You told me the crowd would be enthusiastic, but when I stepped out on the runway and there were 450 people clapping and shouting, I was overwhelmed,'" Angie recalls. "For her it was truly a life-changing event."

Napa firefighters so enjoyed helping out with "Reach" last year, when they opened the show by driving the child models in on a fire engine, that they made a return appearance. Members of the Napa City, Napa County, California Division of Forestry, and Oakland Fire Departments were on hand to greet arrivals and sell tickets to the raffle. One firefighter, Steve Becker, distributed candy in a full bunny suit while little Devon Hadsell sang a stirring rendition of "Here Comes Peter Cottontail."

Guest speakers at the event were two of the show's youngest models, Tina Saladino and Paige Smith. Both teenagers spoke movingly about the experience of having cancer, how it molded and shaped their lives, and what it taught them about the importance of the support of friends and family.

The Radiology Medical Group of Napa underwrote this year's "Reach for the Stars," as did Bell Products, Inc., Fry's Guest Home, and The Vintage Bank. Ligouri Associates and Piner's Ambulance were event sponsors.

Silverado Country Club again provided a beautiful setting for the show. "Silverado deserves special thanks for hosting us every year," says Starr. "They do an amazing job of supporting us, they really do."