Art Bra Show to Help Cancer Survivors

Five years is an important milestone for any cancer survivor but the milestone has even greater significance for Christine Willett.

In March, the Rockfall resident marked her fifth year of being cancer free and on Thursday she'll celebrate by hosting the , an event that raises money to help cancer survivors in their recovery from the disease.

Willett, a breast cancer survivor who launched the charity After The Storm Inc. soon after her recovery began, said this year's show will be bigger and better than ever.

The event was moved this year to the Aqua Turf in Plantsville to accomodate a growing crowd and in hopes of surpassing the $23,000 raised at last year's event.

"It goes right back to the survivors," Willett said. "I think research is great and wonderful but you're having so many more people living beyond what we ever did before that you have this whole contingent of people who need services after."

Donations go specifically to helping cover the costs of integrative medicine for survivors, according to Willett.

Four Connecticut hospitals will benefit from this year's auction; The Center for Surviviorship and Integrative Medicine at the Middlesex Cancer Center, Midstate Medical Center in Meriden, Griffin Hospital in Derby, and the Hospital of St. Raphael's in New Haven.

Recently, the wife and mother of two has been busy sorting through the nearly 60 bras entered into the auction, with the help of friends.

On Thursday night, bidders will be able to buy the the one-of-a-kind designs which range from "Not Afraid of Needles," a bra made from a cactus and sent all the way from Arizona to a bra inspired by the popular game Angry Birds.

The runway show features eight models, including  a breast cancer survivor and Miss Connecticut 2008 Jacqueline Honulik whose platform raised awareness of Breast and Ovarian Cancer.

"They all have a connection," Willett said of the models. "Everybody has a connection."

The event also includes the popular Man Show, a men-only performance which was added in recent years to keep the energy up.

The Art Bra Runway Show and Auction will be held on Thursday, August 16, from 6:30-10 p.m. at Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Tickets are $40 and include food and drink. A separate auction will also be held. Tickets can be purchased at www.afterthestorminc.org.