By Lynette Sowell
Cove Leader-Press
Cancer survivors from across the country recently took to the stage to celebrate hope at the 7th annual Runway of Hope, held by Pink Warrior Angels.
The event was held at the Knoxville Ranch Wedding and Event Venue, located just north of Waco in West, TX.
The retreat ended with a day of pampering and glam to walk the runway Saturday evening. The models were selected through an application process and live across the U.S. Sixteen women, three men, and three children walked in recognition of a variety of cancers including kidney, ovarian, colon, head and neck, brain, metastatic breast, and pediatric cancer.
20-year-old Libby Kimbel of Copperas Cove joined the lineup of 24 other cancer survivors who hail from all over the U.S. Prior to the Saturday night gala, they participated in a three-day mini retreat to heal through the emotional trauma that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
Kimbel said participating in the event helped her take back what cancer took from her. This is her 3rd time walking the runway, but this time – it was different.
“During and after treatments I was very much insecure about what I looked like. I cared about what others thought about me, and I was so self-conscious about everything,” said Kimbel, who underwent a below-knee amputation for stage 2 Ewing sarcoma when she was a teenager.
“When I first started ROH back in 2020, I was stuck in my own little shell. I was nervous, but I was excited about the event. I wore a long dress to cover up my prosthetic cause I felt weird embracing it. In ROH 2022 I was starting to get a little more confident and comfortable in my own skin and just starting out embracing my prosthetic, so I wore a short dress and I felt more free and beautiful than I ever did.
“This year, I definitely was able to fully take back my confidence, I’m fully comfortable in my own skin. I’m still embracing my prosthetic and this is all thanks to Pink Warrior Angels and them putting together ROH. ROH has truly changed my life and I can do it a thousand times more.”
Kimbel likewise enjoyed connecting with other cancer survivors and helping encourage them.
“I love hyping them up during rehearsal and during the show as well to help them feel comfortable in their own skin and also feeling confident! I also got the privilege to be able to know every single person and connecting with them,” she said. “We connected so well that it felt like we knew each other for years. When you meet other cancer survivors, it’s not your typical friendship, you’re more like family and you feel like family! I love inspiring others and spreading awareness to the cancer community because most people don’t understand the reality of a cancer survivor/patient, so having ROH helps people have more of an understanding of what that looks like.”
Crystal Owens of Copperas Cove has survived both thyroid and kidney cancer. Being onstage is not new to her, but in this format it was out of her comfort zone, she admitted.
“Even though I perform in a band, getting onstage is scary! Especially with not having the security blanket of instruments to hide behind,” she said. “I was proud to get to be involved in such a meaningful event. When I was going through my treatments, I was so ashamed to at times not be able to afford basic necessities. It meant the world to me getting to help an organization that aims to eradicate these fears for survivors so they may focus on recovering.”
Liz Chase of Copperas Cove served as the keynote speaker for the event. She shared on the theme of “hope, faith, and love” – what she said are three Christian virtues that she attributes to Pink Warrior Angels.
Chase shared how she first met PWA founder Julie Moser in 2015; then in 2018, Chase’s eldest daughter made the cheer team, and Chase eventually became cheer booster president. The cheer team and boosters raised funds with “Pink Out” game shirt sales and donated to Pink Warrior Angels instead of larger cancer organizations.
But then, Chase shared how things took a much more personal turn for their family when in 2022, her husband, Derek, began experiencing symptoms that eventually led to an initial diagnosis of stage III colon cancer. At only 42, he had emergency surgery. She said she reached out to see what PWA could do.
“I had missed a lot of work, Derek had missed a lot of work,” Chase said. Then, six months into his first round of treatments, Derek lost his job as a financing manager. He finally got another job, but it was a $125,000 pay cut. Then, when he had insurance again, the family learned that the cancer had spread to his liver and he was considered stage IV. Pink Warrior Angels held online fundraisers for the family to help with expenses not covered by insurance.
She gave the example of how PWA – and the local community – came through when there were plumbing problems in the home while Derek and Liz were at UT Southwest Hospital in Dallas, where he underwent surgery.
In addition to Chase’s address, the event included a salute to Amber Gorman of Copperas Cove and others who passed away from cancer since the 2024 event. This year’s event raised more than $50,000 that will go toward financial grants for those in cancer treatment.
A pair of Dallas Cowboys home game tickets went for $1,000, with a two-night stay in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite plus five admission tickets at the Kalahari Water Park Resort in Round Rock going for $1,100 and a Corpus Christi fishing trip going for $1,100.
As a primary fundraising effort for PWA, The Runway of Hope provides funding for financial grants provided to cancer warriors who need help with monthly bills like their mortgage, car payment, utilities, or even groceries and gas cards.
In 2024, PWA awarded $58,000 in grants and assistance to cancer patients.
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