By Maria Cook
Laura Davidson, a breast cancer survivor from Carmel, recently walked the runway as a model in the Pink Ribbon Connection’s Stars of Pink Breast Cancer Survivor Fashion Show.
The show was part of Pink Ribbon Connection’s 25th anniversary celebration. Pink Ribbon Connection is an Indianapolis-based organization that provides counseling services, emotional support and resources to breast cancer survivors and their families.
Davidson was first diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. She said the diagnosis came as a complete shock, since she was healthy and had no risk factors.
“I’ve been exercising since I was in high school. I was very fit. I went to the gym and was eating well, so that was definitely a shock. I’m also in the healthcare field, so it was an odd position to be the patient for a change,” Davidson said.
This year’s Stars of Pink fashion show, which featured models who are celebrating between one and 25 years of breast cancer survivorship, was Davidson’s second. She also modeled in 2011.
“It was totally outside of my comfort zone, honestly,” Davidson said of the first time she went onstage for the 2011 show. “I’m not one for the limelight, but I did it. It really was a lot of fun. I met a lot of wonderful ladies and other healthcare providers that were modeling in the show.”
The Stars of Pink Fashion Show helps raise funds for Pink Ribbon Connection’s Services, including one-on-one peer counseling. Davidson, who serves as a peer counselor herself, believes that it is one of the most valuable services that the organization provides.
“It’s amazing to just be available to someone who is going through this, and they’re scared and they don’t know the right questions to ask, and they want to talk to somebody. That’s what the peer counselors do. We walk alongside them. We’re there to listen,” Davidson said.
