'In the Pink' fashion show to support breast cancer survivors
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
Gail Schierloh will be strutting her stuff Sept. 12, but it won't be to show off her clothing designs or to start a career in modeling.

It will be to show she is a survivor.

Schierloh, of North Brunswick, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2006 after her yearly mammogram found a small tumor on her left breast. Now she will be a participant in the "In The Pink" fashion show, to be held at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village next month.

"It's the first time I'm doing this. We had rehearsal the other day and I thought, 'Oh boy.' This is really fun," she said.

Each of the 30 runway models, both male and female, will wear two outfits supplied by stores in Princeton, which the models chose themselves. Schierloh said she will wear loungewear and a dressy outfit, one of which will be hot pink.

"They'll do the hair and makeup for us, which is very nice," she added.

The show is being held by the Breast Cancer Resource Center [BCRC] and the YWCA Princeton, which hold free support programs for survivors such as yoga, swimming, aerobics and strength training. Schierloh said she decided to participate because of the support she has received there, and because last year the event raised $56,000 in support of a foundation that purchases wigs, scarves and sunglasses, as well as a peer support network, resource library and community outreach programs, for patients all across New Jersey.

"You don't believe how many women are diagnosed with breast cancer until you are diagnosed," she said, adding that she is also a member of a support group at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, and plans to join the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York in September. "I think it shows people that you can survive. Breast cancer can be deadly but once you get through it you can survive and it gives you a new outlook on life. I think having these people there gives you great support."

Schierloh said a main reason for the successful treatment of her Stage 1 cancer is because of early detection. Even though her sister was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2007, she said there is no family history, so it was imperative that she went for her yearly mammograms.

"I was devastated, of course. You always say, 'Why me? Why me?'" she said, but "if it wasn't for my mammogram it would've been worse."

Because the tumor was only 6 mm she was able to have an operation two weeks after her appointment with a breast surgeon, and only needed eight weeks of radiation after her outpatient lumpectomy at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick.

However, because her lymph nodes also had to be checked, she underwent another operation after recovering from the flu in June of that year.

She eventually went back to work, and now has follow-up visits with her breast surgeon and oncologist every six months. She is also on medication.

"I feel very blessed that I caught it in time and it was only Stage 1," she said.

Schierloh said she feels "honored" to be a part of the show and "blessed" that everything has turned out okay.

"Down the road it can reoccur, but I'm just thinking positive," she said.

The fashion show will be 6 - 9 p.m. Sept. 12. Tickets can be purchased through Sept. 1.

Contact Kara Stephenson, the director of the BCRC, at 609-497-2100 ext. 346. The cost is $80 per person and includes two cocktails, a cocktail hour, a silent auction, a live auction and goody bags.

Jennifer Amato can be reached at jamato@gmnews.com.