Last fall, children and youth aged 3-20 walked the runway modeling clothes from local boutiques to benefit childhood cancer research at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. What made the fashion show extra special were the models themselves.

Through ticket sales to the show and a silent auction, the Kids' Runway for Research event raised $12,000, with $9,000 going to Nemours and $3,000 to Kay's Kamp, a summer camp for children battling cancer.

In January, event organizers and participants presented checks to A.K. Rajasekaran, PhD, Director, Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research and Kay's Kamp founders Laurie and Bill Warren. "For the second year, this has been a remarkable effort on the part of the community and many of the families we have served to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer and the important research being done to combat it," said Dr. Rajasekaran.

Sandi Patterson and Patricia Ajizadeh, the primary organizers of Kids’ Runway for Research, said they did it to “shine a light on childhood cancer and to give these kids a chance to shine.” They plan to hold the event annually in September to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. (Save the date: September 9, 2012)

Caitlin Klein, 8, of Avondale, PA, participated in the fashion show and loved “feeling like a star.” Caitlin was treated for cancer of the kidney at the duPont Hospital for Children. She underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and is currently disease-free.

Caitlin and her parents, Donna and Mike, were on hand at the check presentation to thank the organizers and the research team for their dedication.

“The staff and families we met at the hospital are like a second family to us now. We are so grateful that Caitlin is doing well. Events like Runway for Research are part of the healing process for her and for us. We get involved to stay connected to the cause and to support other families but also as a way of helping Caitlin get back to the business of having fun and just being a kid,” said Mike Klein.