A group of pediatric cancer patients and survivors participated in a day of pampering at the Dillard’s store at International Mall.
Six boys and seven girls got the store to themselves Sunday morning. The girls got their nails and makeup done, and everyone got a chance to go shopping.
"I think it’s the second best day of my life,” 11-year-old Atalyia Smith said.
The pampering is in preparation for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s 13th annual "Fashion Funds for the Cure" event. The 13 kids will walk the runway in the fashion show hosted by Giuliana Rancic. Sunday, they got to pick the outfits they will be wearing in the show.
"He’s been practicing and saying 'I am going to be a model.' He has that really bubbly personality, so he is all into this today,” mom Chelsea Riley said about her eight-year-old son, Cayden.
“He’s adorable! I mean he was so cute, he was like, ‘I like these colors, these look good on me’ and he wanted the tie to fit just right,” Riley said.
The day was especially important for the kids who still have hospital visits ahead of them, like 16-year-old Olivia Rivera.
"It feels good to have something fun, because tomorrow I am going in for a week so it feels good to have some fun before I go in and feel down for a while,” Rivera said.
The fashion show is April 30th at Port Tampa Bay, Terminal 2. For more information on the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, visit www.fastercure.org. For sponsorship information for Fashion Funds the Cure, email kkellin@fastcure.org.