You Night New Orleans 2018 PROGRAM

w w w.younightevent s.com You Night New Orleans Class of 2018 July 26th Contemporary Arts Center

Empower One. Impact Many.

With 14 million cancer survivors in the United States today, there is a growing need to address the emotional and physical needs that women have after a cancer diagnosis. As we continue to develop our program, we learn of greater ways we can help serve the patients, their families and the medical community through this empowering program, that serves as a unique sisterhood and support group.

Many individuals make this program possible, including our coaches, sponsors, salons, boutiques and countless number of volunteers.

Thank you also to the friends and family members who came tonight to support these brave models as they share their personal journeys, and celebrate their strength and newfound sisterhood.

The time we have spent with the models preparing in this event has been very special, and has indeed united us all. To date, 250 participants from St. Tammany and New Orleans have joined the You Night Sisterhood, founded in 2013. 19 new sisters will be walking the runway tonight. Thanks to sponsorship and attendee ticket sales, You Night is able to gift the five month empowerment experience to our participants. You Night's mission it to help women embrace life after a cancer diagnosis. It is our hope that this program will help address the many needs of survivorship, and that the You Night experience will have lasting, positive impact in the lives of all involved. It is our belief that empowering individuals will positively spill out into the community, serving as hope and inspiration for others.

W ith love and appreciation, The Y ou N ight P roduction Team Lisa McKenzie , Founder/ Executive Producer Kristyn Kemp & Ruth Avila, Event Co-Chairpersons Angela Becnel / Catering & Logistics Tara Huguet / Administration Becky Gilbert Logistics & Guest Registration Manager Deborah Tonguis, Programs Team Leader Dawn Gallo, Model, Salon and Boutique Liason Elaine Roark, Producer of the Producer Stephanie Rivers, Sponsorship Team Leader Holley Haag, Media Relations Tammy Broussard, Leslie Legania & Lauren Siegel Runway Training Team Leslie Legania, Alum Choreography Joyce Varghese, Music Video Choreography Dylan Maras, Photography and Videography (W hite Donut Productions) Tracie Morris Schaefer, Studio U Photography Candra George, My Creative Reality Photography Deidra Langridge, Outreach Coordinator Margaret and Wayne Rogers, Ministry Support Team Kristyn Kemp, Ruth Avila / Big Sister Program Chairs Sandy Hicks, Eileen Long,, Karen Schindler Big Sisters Rhonda Ebel and Marie Campo / Retreat Chairpersons Cheryl Dendinger / Dressing Room Tricia Basil & Anna Basil / Graphic Design "W ings" Grey Spiller, On-Site Logistics Coordinator

You Night is a program made possible from funding by t he "We Lift You Up" Fund --a 501(c)3 fund w hose mission is to help women embrace life beyond cancer.

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FORMAL W EAR

CONTEMPORARY

Town & Country Bridal

Blink

Chico's Maiya Boutique

Pictured from Pictured from our

our 2017

2017 Program:

Program:

You Night New

You Night New

Orleans Class of

Orleans Class

2017 Role Model

of 2017 Role

and Big Sister

Model Cheryl

Eileen Long

McKey

Pictured: Lori Mentel, Tracy Ulrich, Pam Moss, Roxanne Powell and Jaime Aguda NOLA Class of 2017

C ollection 3 C ollection 3 GRAND FINALE Jeans by Jean Therapy

5505 Magazine St. New Orleans

O fficial S alon Hair and Make-up for the NOLA Class of 2018 provided by H2o Salon and Spa 441 Metairie Road Metairie, LA

New Orleans Class of 2018

Ann M artinez Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Laurie Bercegeay

M ariann Teacher Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Pamela Fields Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Antoinette Bradstreet

Donna Thomas

Kristin Gonzalez

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Louise Poche

Lesley Rubenstein

Leslie Horn

Lori Upton

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

M arty Looney

M ichelle Ripoll

M ichelle Shove

M onica Campuzano

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Pat Quintini

Patricia Laubenstein

Robin Smith

Shemal M cKnight

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Chico's Jean Therapy

Hair & Make up by H20 Town & Country Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

ANN MARTINEZ My journey with cancer began at the end of March 2017, when I noticed a lump in my right breast. To be honest I thought nothing of it, as I just began a new birth control and knew hormonal changes to my body could occur. Persistence from my husband, led me to seek a consultation with my primary care physician. I was able to be seen the following day by the nurse practitioner, who confirmed I needed to be sent to look into this further with a mammogram and ultrasound. I was fortunate to get in for imaging that afternoon and knew my mind would be at easy shortly. The radiologist confirms a 1.4 cm mass round in my right breast with dense breast tissue surrounding. I was told this was most likely a Fibroadenoma, which is a benign tumor, and common in women my age at 31. It was suggested that we continue to monitor it and repeat imaging in 6 months; however, if I was going to "worry about it the whole time" we could just get a core biopsy now to be sure. My biopsy was scheduled for the following week and I remember thinking, "This is expensive way to get piece of mind but guess it's worth it."

Worth it, it was and on April 10, 2017, I received the call that would change my life forever. My doctor explained she had been stalking my biopsy results all morning and unfortunately the tumor was cancerous, Invasive Ductal Adenocarcinoma. A million emotions flooded my head. I immediately shut down that I actually just received this news about myself and went into medical mode. Being a nurse working in veterinary oncology, I knew I needed more answers and this was not the time to worry when I could not even process the news. After meeting with the oncologist, I had been diagnosed as Stage III Breast Cancer. I was scheduled for a 16 week course of chemotherapy, 5 weeks of daily radiation, and double mastectomy with multiple reconstructions.

I have been through many struggles over this past year with some days feeling like it could not get any worse, but I am proud to say that I have come out on the other end of this as a survivor! Because of the dedication of my medical team and the support of my family and friends, I am here today. It is still a daily struggle with medications to keep my body fighting against reoccurrence, but my mind and soul have been opened to a new beginning. God has empowered me to be a light for other women and even men to trust in His love.

If I could share one message with others it would be to take hold of your health and never allow someone to tell you not to worry because you are ?young and healthy?.

ANTOINETTE BRADSTREET My name is Antoinette Bradstreet and I must say, I don?t look like what I?ve been through. My journey began at the age of 47, on March of 2012 when I took my annual mammogram which came back normal. Five (5) months later I was doing my monthly at home exam and noticed a lump underneath my right armpit.

Since I had just recently changed deodorants I thought it was just a knot that will eventually go away. Later in September the knot had gotten bigger and started hurting. I informed my doctor of the change and he scheduled me for an ultrasound which turned into I needed to do a biopsy.

On October 6, 2012 I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I didn?t feel anything, sad, mad, angry etc. I just knew that since I started this relationship with God I was going to be okay. I kept telling myself it is just a test and I hate failing at anything, so I knew I would pass. There was no chemo before surgery to shrink the tumor because the cancer was so aggressive. Dr. Sadeghi and Dr. Levin wanted it removed. On October 22, 2012 I had reconstructive surgery and when the tumor was removed it was at stage III. A few months after surgery I started chemo. I had the ACT treatments (I called it the blood of Jesus and his two angels).

The not knowing of what you will be facing is scary, but thanks to Allison Barthelemy, Linda Franklin, and the late Christina Lewis I was coached like a champ. My husband Edward Bradstreet Sr., who helped me get back to being healthy is the most amazing man I have ever met. He fed me when I didn?t want to eat, let me sleep when needed and made me exercise when he knew I should. He supported me when I lost my hair by going bald and today he is still rocking that bald head.

Words can?t express my gratitude for Mr. Kenneth and Darnesta Nora. They had a weekly schedule of people cooking for my family from December 2012 ? March of 2013, while I went through chemo. Ms. Sharon Banks who sat with me each and every time I took my chemo. Mr. Mike and Yakeba Cyprian who have just been a blessing with their food, support and step stool to get into my high bed. Ms. Edna Ben who would come over and sit at the house often to talk. Ms. Gail Snowden who I would call just to talk, but if she heard something different in my voice, would come over. My Sisters, Latashia Holmes and Williemae Palmore, who travel from out of town to be with me for my surgery. My Sister Cynthia Palmore who moved in with me to help when my husband went to work. My Sister Kara and her Daughters Casey and Courtney helped me after chemo.

Aderonke and Kimberly Whitaker who picked me up from my first chemo session. Pastor Maize Warren, my pastor who covered me; Clarissa Moore, Elder Shaunde Gray, Emelda Warren, and the whole entire Life Church family that prayed for my health to be restored. Allison Barthelemy, and Linda Franklin who coached me through this process. Tina Brown, Ava Tucker, Roy Guercio, and the entire City Hall family that supported me on this journey.

This experience has allowed me to help other women that are battling. Today, I am happy to say that I have encouraged 22 women to fight. They all are survivors and are helping other Women fight as well. Thank you Cheryl McKey for inviting me to participate in the You-Night Sisterhood. I have met some remarkable brave, sweet, fighting women. Ms. Lisa McKenize, I want to say thank you for thinking about women like me because this has been an amazing journey to be part of your You Night Organization. God will continue to bless you because you have given me an experience like never before. I had my first photo and video shoot, and now I am proud to debut my first modeling gig.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

DONNA THOMAS Some things I lost and some things I gained. My life will never be the same but I have been restored once again.

The loss of my son in 2016 was a hard blow. When I lost my youngest sister in 2017 I fell to my knees. I was diagnosed in July 2017 with Her2 Neu positive breast cancer. I was in a state of shock but I look to my souce of strength once again; God, family and friends. Ten years ago I decided to start a movement called Women Helping Women to educate them on breast cancer because I was watching my mom in pain through her treatments and navigating through the ?not knowing? of this disease. Not knowing that 9 years later I would need that same support for myself that I was giving to others. God knew His plan is not ours. I am so grateful that He put good people in my life to help me get through this, another hard time in my life but no test means no testimony. I am more than greatful to have been introduced to all of the women in You Night organization and again, I say thank

PICTURED: Eileen Long's family reacts at You Night New Orleans 2017. Photo Credit Tracie Morris Schaefer, Studio U.

KRISTIN GONZALEZ My journey with breast cancer began at the age of 34, in July of 2016. My husband, Erik and I have two daughters Ava (8) and Ally (4). During a routine visit with my gynecologist Dr. Payne discovered a lump in my right breast. The moment I heard, ?Have you felt this?? is when my life was forever changed. I left my appointment feeling defeated and scared! The time leading up to my mammogram was unbearable. I went alone and continuously told myself it was nothing?I was too young? I have no family history? I have a family to raise. After my ultrasound, the radiologist came in and said ?I am not liking what I am seeing, we need to send you for a biopsy?. My whole body went into literal, SHOCK! I went directly to my mother and she held me and said ?Kris everything is going to be ok??even though in my heart I knew my mother was torn to pieces. The days leading up to my biopsy were torturous, a few days later my family and I received the news that it was Triple- Negative Breast CANCER! After meeting my oncologist Dr. Laura Brinz, my treatment plan was determined and that is when I felt the ?fight?come out in me. During chemotherapy treatment I met another woman battling breast cancer, we became friends and shared the same fears. That wonderful woman, Michelle Shove, is here tonight as a survivor ?shining? on that stage right beside me!

Dr. Brinz once told me, ?Continue to live your life, and not let chemo get in the way of it?and that?s exactly what I did.

My hair started falling out and I decided it was time to shave it off. I have to say being bald gives you a sense of empowerment? it makes you feel like a ?warrior?. The support from my family and friends was the most humbling experience throughout my entire journey. Katie, Jessica, Amanda, Kefla, Mariana, and Amy- I literally would have not made this journey without all of you! My sister in law and best friend, put together a benefit called ?Booby Bash?there are no words to describe that night?all I can say is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Carmen and Christy also put together a Zumbathon in my honor, I will forever be grateful. I felt so much love from both of the events and knew that I had to continue to fight!

On February 1st 2017, I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction at St. Charles Breast Center. Dr. Sullivan, my surgeon made me feel so at ease I can?t thank him enough! I soon started radiation it was exhausting and ended up with an infection on my breast, leading me back to surgery in late March of 2017. All of my treatment was completed on May 16th 2017, I did it ? I conquered!

My breast cancer journey is why I am here tonight celebrating with family, friends, and the You Night sisters.

Every woman on that stage has a journey?We are warriors and did not let cancer beat us down. The You Night sisters have bonded to show you that cancer has not taken away our lives?it has made us LIVE! # teamgonzalez # Igotthis

LAURIE BERCEGEAY My journey began on October 31, 2016. I felt a mass in my right breast and saw my OBGYN. She immediately scheduled an appointment with the breast center at EJ. After the mammogram and ultrasound, I needed a biopsy. The diagnosis came through on my husband?s birthday, Nov. 9.

How could I tell my husband I have Stage 4, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma?

My first question was, ?Can I keep working?? Second was, ?Is this curable?? Some folk think it?s funny that my first question was, ?Can I keep working??. That's what has kept me sane and not dwelling on this disease.

It?s not an easy thing to hear that you have cancer. Why me?

It?s shocking and scary. Everything from day of diagnosis moves so fast. You really don't have time to think. I met with Dr. Cattie my current oncologist. We scheduled my first PET CT scan. Results were given to me on Dec 5, 2016. 6 cm mass.

Chemo regimen set in place; port installed Dec 8. Chemo started Dec. 12. I had so much anxiety that day because you just don't know what to expect!!! Am I gonna be sick all night, nauseous, feel weird? Is it gonna hurt when they access the port.???. I'm pleased to say I followed all my instructions and I was fine!!! For those of you familiar with chemo, I was on the "red devil" which is not easy to tolerate. I did it and made it without complications.

In March 2017 my tumor was inactive!! I felt such relief. I was put on Taxol. Well, at some point it stopped working and my breast started swelling and turning colors almost bruised looking. At that point I was sent to MD ANDERSON. Dr. Cattie feared it might be inflammatory breast cancer. It is not!! I started radiation on the breast which got it back in check. It has spread though to some of my bones and it's in many lymph nodes. I've been on at least 5 different chemotherapies, thus far. Currently, I am on Xeloda, an oral chemo and xgeva shots monthly for the bones. I take one day at a time. I have become much more faithful and talk to God a lot.

The hardest part for me was telling my adult children and my mom. Cancer took my dad?s life 18 years ago. I have had good and bad days just like with any illness that's so unpredictable. I remain as positive as I can be. We laugh so much at work and I have such a great support system with my family and work family. My husband has been so great to put up with my moods and just being mean. I cannot imagine going through this without him. I am also on so many prayer lists it?s amazing how many people have been touched by cancer in some way. I?m now thankful for this great group of tough broads I've met through YOU NIGHT!!

We are fierce, strong and unbreakable. Together we can beat this and feel whole again.

Laurie fought her battle with breast cancer until she could fight no more. She passed away on July 18th. Laurie wanted nothing more than to see her daughter get married this spring. The sisters of You Night walk tonight in her honor.

LESLEY RUBENSTEIN

Fighting cancer is a physical and mental battle that can take patients on circuitous paths of emotions. I joined the fight four years ago after going to a routine mammogram and was ultimately diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. It has been a struggle as well as a transformative and educational journey of growth. I am humbled by the power of profound Love. My medical experience included chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, infection leading to needing a wound vac, and spending a summer in the hyperbaric chamber (My skin looked great!) I still go to occupational therapy once a week to address side effects and take oral medication. Tackling the mental aspects of the disease was daunting but has me stronger. I remember asking my husband to shave my head when my hair first started falling out. I wanted it to be my choice to face the world bald each day, not the disease?s! I learned that sometimes fighting means taking a deep breath and letting go, especially when waiting several weeks for test results. It was more helpful to release any angst and focus on the beautiful moments with my husband and our children. Balancing my life, learning to meditate, being in nature, surrounding myself with laughter, and recognizing the preciousness of each day all helped.

I was never alone on this trek. My family and I are grateful to the many people who assisted in my healing and helped our family.

A BIG thank you to: *Dr. Caputo, Dr. Colfry, Dr. Levine, and Dr. Sadeghi, my dream team of doctors, for providing expert medical care in a compassionate manner. We appreciate your talents, wisdom, and kindness. * the nurses, technicians, and staff at Touro Infirmary for your encouragement and skill. We are blessed to have you in New Orleans. * Dr. Feldman (rheumatology) and Dr. Suri (orthopedic surgeon), my tong-time dream team of doctors, for working tirelessly to ensure my medical treatment was well -coordinated with treatments for other conditions and not so painful. *Lil, Frannie, (OT), Alex (PT) and the STAR Program team at Touro for your joyous assistance and support. The cancer rehabilitation program is effective and life-changing! * the American Cancer Society in New Orleans for your programming and presence. * my colleagues, parents and students at the Waldorf School of New Orleans for your unbelievable support and understanding.

It is a joy to teach and be a part of such a loving community. * our dear friends and incredible family members who rallied around our family. Words cannot fully express our gratitude. * everyone around the country who put us on prayer lists and prayed. Our family continues to feel the warmth and love. *Spencer, Pierce, and Mary Jordan, our beautiful, strong, warmhearted children for embracing the challenges with grace and bravery. Dad and I are so proud of the individuals you have become. We love you always. *my husband Kenny who is my best friend, my love, and my rock.

You walk along side me through sickness and health, not complaining or minding if sometimes my walk is more of a lean.

Thank you for the laughter and love. * Lisa McKenzie and everyone at You Night for all that you do to empower women affected by cancer. You are an organization of accomplished, caring, ferociously fearless women who inspire.

I am proud to be a part of the You Night Nola Class 2018 and look forward to Paying It Forward to others in the city.

God Bless, Lesley

LESLIE HORN It was May 19, 2016 and my phone rang while I was in my office at work. ?I?m so sorry, Leslie? Dr. Wax said. It?s hard to put into words what the next 2 years brought?fear, worry, pain, fatigue, it was absolutely a whirlwind.

I had felt a lump in my right breast the Thursday before Mother?s Day, saw the doctor that following week, had my first mammogram, ultrasound, and needle core biopsy with marker placement. Following the marker placement, the technician shared one of the images with me, in which the marker was in the shape of a cancer ribbon; that was a foretelling moment for me. My husband, Garith and my Mom were with me every step of the way as my caretakers and never wavering support. When Dr. Wax delivered the terrifying news, she assured me through my sobbing that I?d be in good hands with Dr. Ralph Corsetti at The Tansey Breast Center with Ochsner. The next few weeks moved quickly and included numerous doctor?s visits, where I learned the official diagnosis ? Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, ER/ PR positive, Her2 negative, Grade III. My oncologist, Dr. Chris Theodossiou, would become my champion and supporter in this battle. An MRI and PET scan showed that the cancer was contained in the right breast and was approximately 5.5cm in size.

I was 36, had a 3 year old daughter, Taylor, and had just started a new job with Coca-Cola; I was beside myself. I cried often. I was determined to win the fight and show my daughter the strength that I knew I had. After my port was placed, I endured 6 months of chemotherapy, which included the dreaded Red Devil. When my hair started falling out, I was lucky enough to have my sister and nieces in town to help my husband and daughter give me a sweet buzz cut. I kept my mind as busy as I could by working throughout my treatments, but rested when my body needed it. I drew strength from my faith and my family who saw me through my toughest times. I wrapped up 2016 with a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction with Dr. Dellacroce at The Breast Center, and endured 25 rounds of radiation in early 2017. Since my cancer was hormone driven, I had a hysterectomy in the summer of 2017 and a final reconstructive surgery in late 2017.

I am a firm believer that a positive attitude is key to overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. I am thankful for my strong support system, which includes the teams at Ochsner and The Breast Center, my family and friends, and now the ladies of You Night! I began this fight thinking ?Why Me??but I now realize that I was dealt this hand to make me the individual I am today.

LORI UPTON MY STORY

By Lori Delaune Upton I?ve lived an ordinary life I?ve raised 2 boys, Thomas and Adam Duthu, and married the love of my life, Steve, my soul mate the second time around. I got a second chance at how a woman is supposed to be cherished and loved. He makes me feel special every day and I know he was brought to me by my heavenly mother, to help me through my life journey. We?ve been married 7 wonderful years. Then on June 12, 2017, I became a statistic. I became 1 in the 300,000 women that get breast cancer each year. I cried, I worried about my children, I worried about my husband, my sister, Lisa and my brother, Bubba, because, I had already been through Stage IV metastatic breast cancer with my mother, 20 years ago. I didn?t want my children to experience what I had, and I didn?t want my husband and sister to experience it twice in their lifetime. Then I gave it to GOD, I told him if it was my time I was ready and if it wasn?t than that was o.k. too. It was his decision ultimately and I was good with whatever he decided. I never hit the ?Why Me?or anger stage. I went straight to calm and preparing for my double mastectomy. I?m strong and I can do this. The people I worked with were very supportive, especially my boss, Annwood Reedy.

She told me to do what I needed to do to and to worry about getting better. That one sentence took that stress off my shoulders and I knew at that moment I needed to do this, get better and get back to work. My team of doctors (Dr. Alfred Colfry, III, Dr. Ravi Tandon and Touro Infusion Center) created my treatment plan. They treated me like family and not just another patient. It wasn?t easy. I started chemo, the dreaded ?Red Devil?, and when it hit, it hit me hard. I cried to my wonderful husband, Steve and he cried with me. There were times that my strength waivered but, I was determined to stick to my plan, get through it and restart my life.

The plan went smooth until I became septic and ended up in the ER with a 5-day hospital stay to follow. Steve drove at 85 to 95 mph on the Causeway bridge to get to the hospital and my fever was 104.4 when I arrived.

My BP was 240/ 180 and I felt like I was going to die but, I beat that too. I look back now and realize I?m very lucky because, I?ve read other stories and they didn?t fair as well as I did. I made it through all the pain, sickness, worry and fear. I am a Fighter! I am a Survivor!

LOUISE POCHE' ?The first day of summer, June 21, 2017 was a dark, rainy day. My sister called me early to ask if I would accompany her to the vet. Her 13-year old dog was dying of cancer and needed to be put down. I tried to reach my doctor?s office but couldn?t change the appointment. I told her that I would call her after my doctor told me that I didn?t have cancer. The ultrasound showed a round lump. I was very surprised when Dr. Emery Minnard told me that I had cancer. I reminded him that round lumps were not cancer. He insisted, ?It?s cancer.? My response was ?My mother was a breast cancer survivor. And so will I be!?

When my sister and I got together later that day, we cried on each other?s shoulders. Her dog died on the way to the vet. And I had to deal with breast cancer. I also had to tell my new boyfriend of 3 weeks. He was very supportive and said that he had been through this before. He did not want to put the relationship on hold or end it. I knew I had found a very special man! The 2 of them accompanied me to doctors? appointments, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Surgery was scheduled for July 31, 2017. I had a lumpectomy, breast reduction, and lift. Dr. Minnard did the lumpectomy and Dr. Ravi Tandon did the reconstruction. The margins were clear and the sentinel lymph node was clear. I feel very lucky! At first, I was told that I would not have to have chemotherapy. I thought ?Oh, good! No one will have to know.?But when Dr. Nelly Aoun recommended 4 rounds of ?optional? chemotherapy I was in shock and did not understand what she was saying. I opted to have the chemotherapy because I wanted to fight this with every tool available and give myself the best chance of recovery. I lost my hair but bought 5 wigs, including a purple one, my favorite. I always got compliments whenever I wore it.

I started radiation with Dr. Clay Gould and his staff a month after chemotherapy was over. Those treatments ended March 7, 2018. The radiation technicians told me about a You Night flyer they had seen and said they thought of me. I had 2 days left to apply. I did and now I get to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a model.

I am so grateful to my Dad, all my brothers and sisters and in-laws for their love and support. I am grateful too, for my other support group which has helped me to ?accept the things I cannot change?for almost 30 years. I am grateful for the support of my friends old and new (The You Night Sisterhood). And I am grateful to God who is not ready to call me home yet. We will never know how strong we are until we are tested to our limits.

MARIANN TEACHER My story started way back on July 11, 2015 I was tripping the life fantastic with family and friends at my daughters house with a band and a shrimp boil. July 14, I started spitting up blood. After several hours in the ER, the doctor said in a tone as if to say, ?do you like peanut butter??, that I had a large mass on my right lung.

I called both of my daughters and we faced this news as we always had? together. July 17, 2015 my world changed, we met with the oncologist. He told me I needed to get my affairs in order because my cancer was aggressive and I probably wouldn?t live more than 6 months. Two days later I started 6 weeks of daily chemo and 33 radiation treatments. Every time I asked a question like ?is this the way I?ll feel the rest of my life?he would point out to me that I had stage 4 inoperable, incurable lung cancer. As if to say, ?What can you expect? ?. There had to be a mistake, I was not a smoker. I worked out, I chased my 3 and 6 year old grand girls around every day. This was not happening to me.

From that moment on I began to grieve the loss of me. For the next three years we lived from test to test. We tried immunotherapy which worked for almost two years. Then the cancer had metastasized to my brain and hip. Last summer I got hydrocephalus and had to have a shunt put in my head. The granddaddy of them all was the Gamma knife. The man in the iron mask had nothing on me..

Somehow, my care team of Dr. Matrana, Dr,Pierce, Dr. Ware, Dr. Lazerlere and both my daughters managed to keep me alive.

Now it?s time for radiation on my hip to help ease the pain. I must mention that when I was first diagnosed I was in New York. After the immunotherapy quit working my daughter called the original doctor and he said there was nothing they could do for me except to keep me comfortable. My care team from Ochsner NEVER gave up on me. My beautiful daughters, my granddaughters, my sister, my cousins, my friends have not given up on me. Why should I? My family and friends deserve medals for being there for me. They have put up with my whining, my sobbing, carrying my bucket, and my sometimes just bad attitude. One day at my pottery class we were discussing cancer. Elaine, a fellow potter, told me about You Night. Every week she kept saying, ?Have you pushed the join button yet?? From the first gathering with You Night I felt a relief of my heart. I have decided that if I?m going to live then ?by golly?

I?m living! A fellow cancer patient once said to me, ?It?s not the dying that scares me it?s the living.? Cancer plays mind games with you. Every cold, every ache, you question, is this real or am I imagining this? Is this the end of the story? Before I was diagnosed I used to pray every night that God would help me be a better person the next day than I was today. He answered my prayers. I truly believe that I am a better person today than I was on July 16, 2015. Thank God for giving me these last three years, the friends and family and strength to endure this.

You Night gives me something to look forward to. Sometimes it?s hard to get to the events but I can?t let that dissuade me.

Because the reward is like a shot of the best cognac you can buy.

My sweet You Night sisters bring a smile to my face every time I?m in their presence. You Night gives me a place to put the pain of cancer and maybe help someone else along the way.

MARTY LOONEY

?Let the journey begin.

NOTE: LAST MAMMOGRAM 2012 Last kiss from my husband, Tony, passed away - lung cancer 2012. We were married 42 years. My son develops Crohns 2013. He was in Ochsner Hospital over 400 nights from 2013 ?

2016. I am his caretaker. You might say I was a little busy and stressed out. I was told stress may have caused my cancer.

2017, Humana suggests a wellness plan, you know, to get back on track for good health. June 14 at Ochsner Tansey Breast Center a mammogram was ordered. The tech stopped within minutes, and went to get a doctor. They saw something right away; asked if I could do an ultrasound NOW ? not tomorrow! Less than a week later Core Needle Breast Biopsy; we will call you Monday with results. The next day June 23 at 4:30pm ? the dreaded phone call, I thought I had heard the worst of words already. Your daddy died, your momma died (together), your brother died, MY HUSBAND TONY died , but oh no, Marty, YOU HAVE STAGE 3 BREAST CANCER INFILTRATING DUCTAL CARCINOMA OF LEFT BREAST. Not me, I am the caretaker, not me!!! OMG, I did not know the words, terms, definitions, of what was coming at me so fast.

I believe in God, raised old school Catholic, and believe in faith, hope, and love through prayers and grace. God gave me a great sense of humor, positive attitude and work hard ethics, hopefully, these will get me beyond cancer .

The cavalry has arrived. Meet my Ochsner team, blessed, talented, and caring. Dr. Aimee Mackey ? Surgery, Dr. Zoe Larned ? Oncology, Dr. St. Hilaire ? Plastic Surgery, Jill Fitzpatrick ? PA-C. June 28, first appointment with Dr. Mackey.

After all is said and done, my one question, ?Am I going to die now??her answer was, ?Not on my watch!?. I am not a quitter, this will be the fight of my life. My treatment plan began immediately. Echocardiogram, port in for chemo etc. July 10, first appointment with Dr. Zoe Larned ? Chemo, she?s great, made me feel secure explaining what is to come, I know she will hold my hand. July 21, ?surgery for port?. In recovery my neck started to puff ? blood under skin = HEMATOMA. 6 hours later all ok to go home, my girlfriends couldn?t find car in hospital garage. Good thing I have a sense of humor. July 25, D DAY, first chemo, set and ready to go . Oops, false fire alarm, all had to evacuate 5 floors at Benson Cancer Center, ON MY DAY (humor) some left and rescheduled, NOT ME! Let?s get this party started. Cocktails were served specially made for me = Meds = CARBOPLATIN, Taxotere, Perjeta, Herceptin. Everything but the RED DEVIL. Side effects OMG. A few side effects(HA HA) nausea, extreme fatigue, low blood potassium, anemia, chemo destroying red blood cells, hair loss, severe, severe diarrhea, down and out. August 15, round 2 all the same side effects plus everything taste like metal.

September 5, round 3, 3 weeks of misery. September 26, round 4, 3 weeks of misery. Round 5, STOP, chemo will cure, chemo will kill, STOP chemo. If it could happen, it did.

Fast forward to November ? had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. I will fight this cancer with God and great doctors. 2018, Back in chemo. I?ve lost a few things along the journey, hair, etc. but I still have FAITH, HOPE and LOVE and the greatest of these is LOVE ??? You only get NOW once .

This journey to be continued with the support of You Night.

MICHELLE RIPOLL My name is Michelle Ripoll, and my story doesn?t start with an exact date.

I?ve suffered with multiple GI issues for at least 6 years that I can remember. In the beginning, around 2011, my main complaint was indigestion, but thought nothing of it considering how basic and common it is, so I started taking over the counter medications to help. When it became a daily occurrence I decided to see a Gastroenterologist doctor.

He ordered a scope (EGD) which came back negative, and I continued to take my usual antacids. Over the next 4 years, things slowly but surely got worse. I experienced random bouts of nausea/ vomiting for hours with burning in my stomach every couple of months. I then began to get extremely flushed after I ate a full meal almost daily. My face, neck and arms would turn beet red. I just assumed I had an allergy to something, or gastritis from something I ate the day before. This went on for another year. I am a nurse and I couldn?t figure out what was wrong with me, better yet, neither could my doctor. Went back to the same doctor for another EGD and once again it was negative, so he told me he didn?t want to make any changes. I started to think I was going crazy or maybe I was just a wuss. Finally, with some help from a few co-workers, I got the courage to get a second opinion. Dr. McDonald is my angel. She sat with me and listened to ALL my ailments. She ordered more tests and labs.

After a capsule endoscopy (camera pill) was suspicious for liver disease, she ordered an MRI of my abdomen. I got a phone call from her the next day saying she needed to see me. I went to her office by myself; I still was clueless as to her urgency to see me so soon. When she walked in to see me, she said you have a carcinoid mass in your small intestines and it?s metastasized to your liver. I will never forget how I felt at that moment hearing those words. It was as if I was in a dream and time stopped. I didn?t understand what carcinoid meant, so I said, are you telling me I have cancer? She said it?s a slow growing type of cancer. I was in total shock. After all these years of not knowing what was wrong, she found it. I had Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Cancer. That was probably the last thing I ever thought she would say to me.

I was referred to Drs.W oltering and Boudreaux at Ochsner ?Kenner.

They?re known to be the best in the country for their Neuroendocrine Tumor Program. I consider myself blessed that I live so close to treatment when others with this rare disease have to travel miles to see a specialist.

In August 2017 I met with Dr. Boudreaux, my surgeon. He explained this confusing diagnosis to me in detail and said I?ve probably have had this for 7-10 years. I have learned through my own research that people with this disease have had it for 5+ years before they are properly diagnosed. The symptoms are vague, and I too was diagnosed with IBS, Premature Ovarian Failure, Gastritis, and GERD before knowing what the real culprit was. This cancer causes the Endocrine (hormone) system to go haywire and causes tumors to spread throughout the abdomen, pancreas, liver, and lungs. My surgery was on August 17, 2017. I had approximately 70 tumors removed from my abdomen and liver. My gallbladder, appendix, ovaries, and 10 inches of my intestine had to be removed also. In the hospital my recovery was rough, but it went well and I was discharged in less than a week. When I got home I was having a hard time with occasional nausea and eating normally. One month later things were not getting better and I thought, this can?t be the normal recovery, so I went to the ER. I was readmitted to the hospital for 8 days with C-Diff. I have never been so sick in my life. I lost 20 lbs and was skin and bones. Things slowly started to get better after I was treated for the bacterial infection and I went back to work full time 3 weeks later.

I owe all my strength to my faith in God, my wonderful husband and family, friends and co-workers. Everyone has been so unbelievably supportive and there for me every step of the way. I still have to undergo treatment in the future for the multiple tumors that remain in my liver. This diagnosis has definitely made me realize how strong I truly am. Last summer was a rough patch in my life to say the least. In 6 weeks time, I had to put down both of my dogs and I found out I had cancer. My husband and I never could have children, so our dogs were like our kids.

We both felt we had a dark cloud over us for months. After I was diagnosed, a part of me was relieved. Relieved to finally have an answer, and a proper diagnosis and treatment. My very first visit with Dr. McDonald, I had 7 different stomach medicines listed on my past history questionnaire. I don?t take any of them anymore, and I feel better than I have in years. Thank you God.

MICHELLE SHOVE ?As I walk the runway tonight, I am overcome with gratitude, gratitude that God willing, this two-year journey of breast cancer is coming to an end. As I look back, I can hardly believe how far I have come. I remember in the beginning the paralyzing anxiety I felt at the mention of the word ? cancer. I felt like I had suddenly been thrust into a dark tunnel and completely lost my bearings. I remember having many heart to heart discussions with God and being filled with an endless amount of questions? is this really happening to me?

Will I live to see another birthday, anniversary, Christmas? Eventually my prayer became ?God, if you are going to make me walk this road then please don?t let me become bitter.? And I can say that God has honored that prayer. With that, I began to look for the ?good? in the ?hard.? Yes, I had to have chemo but I never threw up and I never got the dreaded mouth sores. I also met the best oncologist I could ask for, Dr. Laura Brinz. She was so understanding as I required lots of time and made the appointments run long. Yes, I had a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction but that choice led me to the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and Dr. Scott Sullivan. I can tell you that NO ONE is more grateful for breasts than I am after having lived without them for over a year!

I remember radiation felt like having a full time job.

Going there everyday was long and exhausting but the team was so encouraging. I remember at my last treatment ringing the bell in the lobby for all it was worth and everyone applauding. Such a great feeling! The thing that surprised me most was the outpouring of love for me. Cards at just the right time, calls, Facebook messages, gifts, meals, many, many meals, people I didn?t even know telling me their whole church was praying for me. While it was tempting at my lowest to believe that I was a burden to my family and friends.

Instead I chose to allow them to bless me and to see it as God?s love for me. What most people don?t see is that there is good in the hard! I know how much I matter to my family and friends.

I will forever be grateful to my husband and his steady and comforting presence in my life during the most difficult season I?ve ever faced, to my daughters who carried a burden far heavier than I ever would have asked, my sweet boys who gave me a reason to get out of bed every morning and to my family and friends who stepped up and helped, checked on me daily, prayed and loved me so very well!! I am honored to be a part of You Night and to have the chance to celebrate the end of this hard season, walking forward in faith, grace and love for the God I love and serve. Soli Deo gloria.

MONICA CAMPUZANO I am 52 years old and I was the strongest and healthiest person that I knew until February 2017. I had it all, a wonderful family, health, and educated with a great job. How life can change in an instant! After a fun Friday night, I rolled over in the middle of the night to get out of bed and noticed something weird in my right breast, and realized there was a lump about the size of a small egg. I immediately began to panic and search the internet for breast cancer, which I knew nothing about. I patiently waited until 6 a.m. to call my sister who is a nurse. I was desperate to have someone look at it, and was lucky to get an appointment on Saturday afternoon at Ochsner?s after hours clinic. I told the doctor it had to have grown very fast because there is no way I could have missed the large lump. Once he felt it, he said that he understood what I meant. He told me the fact that the lump was hard, did not hurt, and did not move were all signs of it being malignant. He left the room and came back and said that they were scheduling me for the first available diagnostic mammogram and if it wasn?t right away, he was calling first thing Monday to get them to fit me in ASAP. He told me that I would be having a lot of tests done, I had a long road ahead of me, and gave me a big hug when I left. This was the beginning of my breast cancer journey.

The mammogram was scheduled for Tuesday, but I was able to change it to Monday. I went in and they did that and an ultrasound. The radiologist knew that it was most likely cancer.

The first thing that came to my mind was my children and granddaughters, and that I have to be here for them. I told him that they could do whatever they need to do to me, just tell me that I am not going to die. Dr. Roberts put his hand on my shoulder, and said in a comforting voice, ?Don?t worry, we are going to get you through this?. He scheduled me for a core biopsy of the tumor and a lymph node on Thursday. I received a call with the results that it was breast cancer on Friday evening.

By this time I had prepared myself for the news. The already large tumor more than doubled in size in the weeks following.

I received the pathology results on Monday and learned that my cancer was the triple negative type, meaning that the cancer cells did not react to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, or to the growth protein HER-2. These triple negative tumors are very aggressive and grow very large. The good news was the lymph node that was tested was clear. I was scheduled to see an excellent surgeon, Dr. Corsetti, the following week, and he scheduled a breast MRI, a PET Scan, and genetic testing while I waited to get in with one of two oncologists. He also scheduled me for outpatient surgery to have a port placed in my chest which made receiving chemo easier. My treatment had to begin as soon as possible, and after seeing my oncologist, Dr. Cole, it would be 12 weekly rounds of a chemo called Taxol followed by 4 rounds of another called A/ C every other week. A/ C is a combination of Adriamycin (the Red Devil) and Cytoxan. I was informed of all of the terrible side effects and signed the consent.

I began chemo treatments just over a month after discovering the lump. Upon completion of chemo, I would have to wait a month to have a mastectomy.

MONICA CAMPUZANO (cont'd) My right breast was removed with a mastectomy in August 2017. The surgery was a big success and the doctors and I were very pleasantly surprised with the results as my surgeon did a great job. Pathology was done on the tissue that was removed, and what was left of the tumor which had gotten as large as 8cm X 10cm was only 1.1cm, which was a great response to the treatment. Nine lymph nodes were also removed and tested, and were all clear which was great news as these are the first places the cancer would have spread. The next step was to have radiation which was required since the tumor touched my chest wall. I was scheduled in October 2017 with Dr. Scroggins, a radiation oncologist, and I had 33 radiation treatments to my chest over 6 ½ weeks, every day Mon-Fri. This was completed late November 2017.

I would then have to wait 3-6 months to have the breast reconstructed to allow time for it to heal. I also had to make the final decision of whether or not I wanted to remove the left breast, as this would be done at the time of reconstruction. It was a very difficult decisioin which I consulted with five doctors and they all seemed to agree with my decision. With the type of cancer that I have, the risk of me getting cancer in the other breast is lower than in other parts of the body. The trend today seems to be to remove both due to the fear of recurrence. However it can recur in the breast even with a mastectomy. For these and other reasons, I made the decision not to remove the left breast. Because I had radiation, breast implants were not an option, so l had a procedure in May 2018 called DIEP Flap Reconstruction, where Dr. Sedeghi removed the fat and skin from my stomach and used it to build a new breast. An additional surgery will be required in several months after allowing time for it to heal, for balancing and all necessary adjustments. Since the nipple could not be spared, I will also need nipple reconstruction and/ or tattooing as part of the reconstruction process.

My cancer is not genetic, and I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. Not once did the tumor hurt. Had it not been for me discovering the fast growing lump, I would not have known perhaps until I had another mammogram, and it could have spread by then.

This journey has not been easy by any means, however I faced the challenge and refused to let it get me down. My advice to anyone faced with this terrible disease, or any disease for that matter is to be strong, go into it with the attitude that you have got this and can handle it, because it could easily bring you down quickly otherwise. It is a long process and can be very overwhelming at first, but it gets easier. Keep your spirits up and keep on living life as usual as much as possible because sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and getting down will only make it worse. Also, talk to people who are also going through similar situations. This helped me tremendously from day one, and was how I learned that this disease is way too common, and in most cases survivable. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women get breast cancer, which was shocking and very scary to me. We can only hope that a cure will somehow be found in the near future for this dreaded disease that affects so many women and men.

The You Night Candle Pass ...is a cherished tradition that each class participates in, where the participants have honest and open sharing about all that they have been through because of cancer.

PAT QUINTINI Having attending the NOLA Class of 2015 YouNight Event to cheer two dear friends on the runway, I was familiar with the organization and the wonderful women involved and their journeys.

Later in 2015 I received my own breast cancer diagnosis. After lumpectomy and radiation, I did well and moved on.

When I got a call inviting me to walk the runway, I declined feeling unworthy to be in the company of all those ladies who had suffered so much when I had it relatively easy.

Fast forward to 2017 when a finding of anemia sent me down a road that culminated in colon cancer that had spread to the liver. Grateful that it was operable. Following surgery (with the added bonus of throwing a blood clot to each lung) and enduring the chemo beast (during which my mother was under hospice care and passed), I did well and again moved on.

Fast forward to 2018 and, unfortunately, the cancer has spread to my lung and I'm back dealing with the chemo beast like so many fierce women and men warriors are doing every day. So when I got the call to walk the runway this time, I said: Heck, yeah!! I'm worthy now!!

I have no doubt that with God given strength and grace and exciting medical and scientific innovations, a fierce battle is being waged and we will win the war on cancer!!!

Meanwhile, I'm still upright working at a job I love, dancing several times a week with a husband (of 40 years) that I love, enjoying countless friends and acquaintances that I love, and being a member of the NOLA Class of 2018, loving that too!

So when life makes me take one step forward and one step back, I throw in a Cha Cha Cha and keep dancing!!!!

PAMELA FIELDS ?I?m sorry?.It?s cancer.? Words that stop the world, I hear nothing after this except the deafening silence. The weeks before flash by in still frame, moving fast forward like a camera capturing moments in time. I?m reminded of the path that got me here. August 2014, lumpectomy, benign results, continue with life. August 2015 normal mammogram, November 2015, I feel a searing pain in my right breast, and then I feel a lump. I schedule an appt. with my doctor and he requests an ultrasound. So begin the words you never want to hear?.at my ultrasound;?um?I?ll be right back, let me get the doctor?.

The doctor pushes, squeezes, ?I can?t tell, I need to biopsy it.?

I received my results December 23, 2015, ?I?m sorry, it?s cancer?. I?m confused, ?we don?t have breast cancer in my family.? My world stops, this becomes the defining moment that begins my life today. I think in some ways, I was already prepared to hear this. God had already secured a spider web of support for me to ensure I would do exactly what he instructed me to do. My family and I met with my doctor in January. My only request, ?take whatever you need, do whatever you need, make me healthy.?I decided on a bilateral double mastectomy with expanders to prepare me for reconstruction. I was stage 1A so my doctor allowed me to decide on surgery after our busy work season. Feb. 15, 2016 I had my surgery.

The results came later, stage 3A, 9 of my 12 lymph nodes were cancerous. (I missed one important word, my doctor said, ?aggressive?. Somewhere along the way, God convinced me this was supposed to be fun and he tapped into my love of costumes. So I decided each chemo treatment would be in costume. I began chemo April 2016 as Wonder Woman, in the waiting room, I began to question my decision. I was alone, in full costume?.until my name was called and I saw Nurse Missy, dressed as Wonder Woman and I knew God had this. A total of 8 chemo treatments including four dates with the Red Devil, 26 radiation treatments and finally reconstruction. My path has been challenging, I experienced every possible side effect, and the decision was made to remove my implants because my skin was so damaged from radiation. There were times in my journey that it was horrible, but God provided the strength I needed. There were times when I didn?t think I could continue, but God provided the people to push me.

When I was scared, he provided the hugs and support. I am forever grateful to my friends and family and all who have supported me, it is because of you that I am here today. Because of my cancer journey, I have found an inner strength I never knew existed, and a determination to live life to the fullest. .

ROBIN SMITH As a child growing up I attended church very frequently. I learned many bible verses, like ?My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.?, and ?For I know the plans I have for you,? declares the Lord, ?plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.? I worked hard and always tried to do the right things in life. I never was a person to get sick. I used to complain about not being sick, because I wanted to be able to call in sick. How ironic?

Then at the age of 43, life threw me a curve ball. My plans were unexpectedly interrupted.

On September 24th 2015, I went in for my routine mammogram and as usual, I thought nothing of it. The next day I was called by a representative to schedule a Diagnostic Mammogram and Ultrasound. Because I work for an imaging company, and I schedule patients for these test I still thought nothing of it. I was scheduled for September 29th, 2015 for a follow up exam.

When I was called a second time, to come back for a biopsy, I still thought, Lord you got this! So trying to be the brave little soldier, showing no fear, went in for the biopsy on October 10th 2015 the day after celebrating my mom?s 70th birthday. I had not told anyone what was going on except for the Lord. After about a week or more, I was called back with my biopsy results.

It was interesting, sitting in the radiologist office being told, Ms. Smith you have stage 1 cancer, and we have already spoken to your GYN and she suggested a surgeon to remove the mass. I thought ok fine, we will remove the mass, and I will be fine and done with it. Thank you Lord for taking care of this for me! We caught this early!

Well, after my surgery and going under anesthesia twice in one day because of technical difficulties, I survived the lumpectomy.

My surgeon said everything looked great. You will probably just need radiation therapy. He recommended a Radiologist and referred me to an Oncologist who wanted to run more test. I was excited, walking by faith, trying not to let fear overtake me.

Thanking God! I knew I had to walk by faith and not by sight.

But, the oncologist threw another curve ball. She said you have a very aggressive type of cancer Her2 positive and you will need to have radiation and chemotherapy. At the time she was saying all of this, I was thinking, I cannot pay for this treatment, I don?t want to do chemo and I don?t want to lose my hair! I didn?t really have a time to think, cry or sulk. I was thrown into a whirlwind.

For one year I went every Friday to chemo and reported to work on Monday. I still attended Friday night choir rehearsals, Saturday morning prayer service and Sunday services, I did not stop. My life did not stop. My plans were evolving.

I did lose my hair, but quickly as it fell out, it grew back just as fast. I was amazed at how God truly had me. I thought this was the most painful thing I ever had to face but I faced it! I made it through. I truly know the meaning of the scripture ?All things work together for the good of them that Love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose?, Romans 8:28. I had to go through to get to the expected end God has planned for me. It may sound crazy but I know I heard God whisper to me, this sickness is not unto death, so I know I have more life to live and I am expecting great things because the best is yet to come!

PATRICIA LAUBENSTEIN Hi my name is Tricia. I?m the mother to Leslie, Ryan and my heavenly daughter Elise Pearson, and wife to my best friend Brian Laubenstein.

My journey started June 2016 at the age of 51 with a routine mammogram, which can back as abnormal. It was followed by an ultrasound and biopsy which confirmed my biggest fear ?you have breast cancer.? I had a lumpectomy which unluckily/ luckily didn?t turnout so well, but lead me to the most amazing Drs. Sullivian and Ordoyne. They performed a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. When I went for my post op visit I heard those horrid words again, ?you have cancer in your noncancerous breast.? I had surgery the following week to examine my lymph nodes, and once again?I heard the words you have cancer in your lymph node, but this time cancer was all that I heard threw my tears. I thought, why me? But the reality is why not me? Drs. Sullivian and Ordoyne are simply the best at what they do, and the most caring and compassionate physicians. Both doctors knew that I was dealing with my own diagnosis, as well as my dad living with me with stage 4 cancer under the care of hospice. While my dad was preparing to leave this world. I on the other hand was preparing to fight with every fiber within me (my diagnosis crushed my dad, as I was his ?baby girl.?)

My dad passed away 3 weeks later. I miss he and my mom greatly, as they were my greatest supports and always knew what to say to make me feel better.

Dr. Ordoyne referred me to Dr. Cattie at EJGH. Dr. Cattie is absolutely wonderful, she gave me a game plan, which included a hysterectomy and staying on Armidex for 10 years to help reduce my chances of having a recurrence.

My life chapter of cancer is one that is dark and scary, filled with a million emotions. The fear of recurrence is real, and having to get use to the ?new version of me.?Although scary, this chapter doesn?t define who I am. In fact, cancer has made me stronger and more appreciative of life. I live life knowing that it?s truly a gift, and our blueprint on this earth is way too short. I thank God everyday I awake, and pray no one in my family ever gets this dreadful disease. We don?t know what our final chapter will be, but we can do our very best to make our life as meaningful as possible.

No one every what?s to be diagnosed with cancer, but each and every one of us here are extremely fortunate to be apart of this amazing sisterhood. I feel so lucky to have the support of such a great group of woman, who are all warriors and are fighting for the greatest battle ?life.?I am most grateful for my family. My children make me strive to be the best version of me as possible. My daughter Leslie dropped everything in her life to come help me, my son Ryan always has such loving words of wisdom, and my husband Brian never left my side, and took on the added roll as cheerleader, as well as the most loving husband. For their unwavering love and support I say ?thank you? from the bottom of my heart. My journey has taught me this? When we meet someone, we never know what battles they may be fighting. Si be kind. Kindness matters

SHEMAL MCKNIGHT In 2015, after having both an inconclusive mammogram and ultrasound, I had a breast biopsy and was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. I was told that I would need a lumpectomy followed by radiation. I already had a trip planned to Disney World to celebrate my son?s 5th birthday so I scheduled my lumpectomy to immediately follow our return. While in surgery, my surgeon decided to ?be nosy? and look around at other areas that weren?t directly involved with my cancerous area. The lymph nodes that were connected to my area of DCIS were negative; the other ones that were discovered were not. After surgery, I was diagnosed with stage IIA triple negative IDC at 33 years old. I was told was that this type of cancer was very aggressive and difficult to treat. The PET scan that I had prior to starting chemo showed 5 new spots that had developed within a 3 month period. I was originally scheduled to have a port placed before starting chemotherapy but because of how quickly more masses developed my medical oncologist decided to start my chemo immediately. After my tumors stopped responding to Taxol, I was then switched to Adriamycin, Cytoxan, and 5FU. The Adriamycin would go over a pump for 48 hours so I had to go home with it. I was greatly blessed because while chemo was no walk in the park, I was thankful that the side effects that I experienced were not to the extent that I had heard about. After my hair started falling out, my cousin shaved it all off for me. I was never comfortable enough to go out in public bald so I became a master at wrapping scarves on my head or I wore baseball caps. I also didn?t want to embarrass my son (who was in kindergarten at the time) who was worried that people would think I was a boy since I didn?t have hair, lol. After chemo, I did a mastectomy with tissue expander placement followed by radiation. My doctors and I decided on a mastectomy on my unaffected side so I had it done with my DIEP Flap reconstruction. Surprisingly, a few months after reconstruction while on chemo pills, I found out that I was pregnant. Because I had been on chemo meds, the doctors were unsure if I would carry the baby to term or if the baby would be born with birth defects. I was blessed with a healthy happy 8 pound baby and am convinced that he is my cancer consolation prize from God. I am so thankful for my family, church, friends, and work who have supported me throughout this journey. I am forever grateful for my mother who was at every doctor?s appointment, chemo (with the exception of 1 because my older son was in the hospital so she stayed with him), surgery, procedure, etc.

I am also eternally appreciative for all of my doctors including Drs. Champlin, Creely, Gurtler, Colfry, Sadeghi, Zakris and their amazing staff members who provided care for me along the way. Last, but not least, to my You Night family, all of you ladies are amazing and I am honored for this wonderful opportunity.

TESTIMONIALS read more testimonials by visiting www.younightevents.com I was skeptical. I thought, "How is dressing up in fancy clothes, and practicing walking and making silly videos going to help ME?" I was so miserable that I couldn't see a possible way to feel better. I hated myself and everyone around me. A member of You Night called me one day and asked me to just show up and trust her. The last thing i wanted to do was be around a bunch of people I didn't know.

It took me several meetings and practices to start to trust. A few people attempted to break down my ice queen wall and for that I am thankful.

Little by little I could feel myself forming bonds with the other ladies. These are friends I would have never met if I wouldn't have had cancer.

These ladies helped me see the positive of our situations. I will forever more have a lasting bond with them.

Lately, I have been told by several friends and coworkers that they can see a change in me. They can see a sparkle that hasn't been there in a while. I have to attribute that to my You Night sisters.

I was wrong about not needing this organization. I needed to be around people that just "got it." Watching everyone be sassy and confident has done wonders for my aching soul. So thank you, You Night, for calling me just one more time. I needed this more than I knew. Angela Palmisano, St Tammany 2017

Little did we know we were signing up for something that would change our lives forever! March 24, 2015 was one of the most magical nights of my life along with my wedding day and a few other special events :) Because of this event I now have a group of new friends I didn't know I needed. Friends united because we have all gone through Cancer and know what the other means by simply saying terms like Chemo Brain, Taxol, night sweats and Tamoxifen. And I have countless other new friends because of You Night and the mission to empower cancer survivors. The list of people involved in getting this event to happen is long and you are all wonderful! I will encourage everyone I know to attend future events! What a fabulous night! -- Kristyn Kemp, NOLA CLASS OF 2015

I feel so blessed and lucky to have been a part of You Night. It was totally empowering. I learned so much about holding my head high, and my shoulders back, and presenting myself in the best way possible. I gained so many new, wonderful friends, and formed bonds with women sharing a similar journey. -- Melinda Breaux, ST TAMMANY CLASS OF 2013

You Night- St. Tammany was an absolute joy to attend. I was there to support a participant and I'm almost certain by the end of her first walk, my throat was bleeding from the insane amount of screaming I did in such a short amount of time. This night brought back such raw emotion for me. In 2009, my mother was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, a diagnosis that only occurs around 5% of the time. A few months later, she ended her fight with breast cancer, three days after my high school graduation. My mom could not yell or scream when my name was called while she sat on the side, but I remember locking eyes with her as I walked back to my seat and knowing that I needed to cherish that time with her. In December, I graduate from Southeastern with my Bachelors in Accounting, and I know she will once again be on the side, watching me walk across the stage. I just won't be able to lock eyes with her this time. Seeing the difference You Night has made in these women's lives has truly lit a spark in me that I can't seem to put out. All in all, what I am trying to say is, that I need to get involved with this organization somehow, someway.

This is not an "I want," this is an "I need to." This organization changed the life of so many women in what took months, it changed mine in a matter of minutes as a spectator.

With that being said, how can I help?

If you only need assistance with stuffing envelopes, I will do it.

Guest,, You Night St Tammany 2017

You Night is a year-round program centered around empowering experiences

New Class Meet & Greet

Candle Pass

Healthy Lifestyle Coaching & Activities

Weekend Retreat

Sisterhood

Boutique Visits

Runway Rehearsals

Professional Styling

Music Video Shoot

Monthly Sisterhood Activities \

YOU NIGHT PRODUCTION PARTNERS

Tracie Morris Schaefer Studio U 504-234-8822

PHOTOGRAPHER TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER studiou@me.com

There is a drive inside of Tracie to grab moments.

Tracie says, "There is nothing like the satisfaction when I succeed and capture something visually or emotionally moving. I feel it and my client?s feel it."

Tracie helps make the posing part of the program fun, truly capturing each participants unique personalities, while also diving into the areas where ladies feel self-conscious. It is beautiful to watch our participants become butterflies, as they learn to not be hard on themselves.

Candra has been shooting professionally since 2007, working with high profile clients, including a current Presidential candidate. Her passion is to help tell beautiful stories that capture the essence of the moment -stories that her clients can treasure forever. Candra has been part of the You Night team since its inception and works with the ladies to help them PHOTOGRAPHER feel more comfortable in CANDRA GEORGE front of the lens. The candrageorge@sbcglobal.net photos she has taken have become treasured keepsakes for our models.

PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER DYLAN MARAS W HITE DONUT PRODUCTIONS dylan.maras@gmail.com

MEET OUR CREATIVE TEAM W HO HELPS CREATE AND CAPTURE THE EXPERIENCES PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY, RUNWAY TECHNIQUES, POSTURE, SELF-ESTEEM, & TEAM BUILDING You Night Coaches Tammy Broussard, Leslie Legania and Lauren Siegel all hail from extensive careers in modeling and runway. Tammy was part of the You Night New Orleans Class of 2015, a fashion model and a managing member of Chic Nouvelle Model Management; Leslie is founder of Positive Image Modeling, Etiquette and Charm School and is a professional runway coach in New Orleans: Lauren is a marketing manager and freelance model, often seen gracing the stage of many runway shows including SAKS 5th Avenue fashion shows. This amazing team works with our participants over several weeks teaching them the many skills required to conquer their fears of getting on and owning a runway stage. Techniques range from helping to break negative barriers of self-perception to actual runway techniques used by high-fashion models.

All of the skills used on the runway stage are practiced several weeks before the show, including learning how to walk and show off the beautiful garments and accessories, how to walk on and off stage with fierce poses, how to interact with the audience and with each other, spins, half turns and group choreography. Through this program, our participants take brave steps forward to learn something new about themselves, while also having fun and developing friendships that will last a lifetime. If -- after the event -- you see a You Night model walking with their head held up high and excellent posture, you'll know where those life skills came from!

W hite Donut Productions The team at W hite Donut Productions has been capturing all of the beautiful images our guests and participants have enjoyed since the founding of You Night, including the fun video shoots, complete runway shows and still imagery.

Dylan's work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine, as well as countless other print and graphic mediums.

Meet our Empowerment Runway Training Coaches

YOU NIGHT NEW ORLEANS 2018 LEGACY PARTNERS TITLE SPONSOR

VIP LOUNGE SPONSOR

EMPOWERMENT PARTNER

PRESENTING SPONSOR

RUNWAY STAGE SPONSOR

EMPOWERMENT PARTNER

EMPOWERMENT PARTNER

LOYALTY PARTNER

LOYALTY PARTNER

Dr . Jim m y Ellis On cologist

LOYALTY PARTNER

LOYALTY PARTNER

LOYALTY PARTNER

Dr . Car r ie M ar qu et t e On cologist

Dr . Nelly Aou n

FOOD AND BEVERAGES GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED BY:

Lifetime Legacy Partners & Donors COMMUNITY LIFETIME LEGACY PARTNERS

Crescent Towing

(W ith thanks for the generous financial contributions that help us sustain and grow our program)

Michele Cooper, M. D.

Center for Restorative Breast Surgery

Bluewater Marine

Center for Women's Health

Adams & Reese LLP

Southern Institute for Women's Sexual Health

Rehab Dynamics

Crescent River Port Pilots' Foundation Pontchartrain Cancer Center Celeste Lagarde, M.D. Richard Celantano, M.D. Associated Branch Pilots Diagnostic Imaging Services Lakeside Women?s Specialty Center Sculpting Center of New Orleans Bergeron Motors Northshore Plastic Surgery Langridge Family Florida Marine Transporters Aflac The Center for Aesthetics & Reconstruction

Cooper T. Smith Mooring

Evamor

Belle Chasse Marine

Radiology & Interventional Associates of Metairie The Radiologist at EJGH Alice McNeely Real Estate Byrd Larberg First NBC Bank H2O Salon & Spa Metairie H20 Salon Northshore Air Salon & Blow Dry Bar Barrios Kingsdorf & Casteix The Mix PJ's Coffee of New Orleans Fat Tuesday Iberia Bank Healthcare Proprietors Agency

IV Capital, Sidney D. Torres, IV Kendra Scott Emma's Shoes & Accessories Chemo Beanies Adolfo's Restaurant & Apple Barrel Bar Port Ship Service Haynie Family Foundation Ponchartrain Healthcare Center Ship Tech Services Mrs. Patricia Bopp The Mix Claudia Billeaud Genpath Dr.Chad Domangue Brown & Mary Broadmoor Rusty Janssen, III Breazeale, Sachse & W ilson, L.L.P. Joy Scott Eden Gorney

Columbia Street Mercantile Because I Am Me Enterprises

Dynamic Physical Therapy

Karen T. Sanborn

Rich Mauti Cancer Fund

Haynie Family Foundation

Art & Stephani Lentini

Inside Northside

Associated Terminals /

Inside New Orleans

Turn Services

WGNO

Northshore Oncology and Associates

FOX

Paretti Family of Dealerships

Times Picayune

C.J. Ladner & State Farm Insurance

Gambel Communications

Snow Financial

Shane & Holley Guidry Foundation

NOLA.com

MIx & Shine Marketing & PR

GIFTING DONORS Kendra Scott Jean Therapy Kismet Cosmetics

You Night Production GUEST SPEAKERS

Hyde Knight

Center For Restorative Breast Surgery

Julie Brauner

VIDEO CREATIVE Lisa McKenzie

Ali Sadehi, MD

Dr. Joyce Varghese

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / FOUNDER

Tracie Morris Schaefer and Carol Costanza, StudioU

Lisa McKenzie

YOU NIGHT TEAM LEADERS Stephanie Rivers, Sponsorship Becky Gilbert, Logistics Tara Huguet, Administration

SOCIAL MEDIA Lisa McKenzie Tara Huguet

Lisa McKenzie

Amanda Rogers Rhonda Beals Perez

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Sharon Judice

Holley Haag

Stephanie Rivers RUNWAY COACHES AND CHOREOGRAPHERS

EVENT CHAIRPERSONS

Leslie Legania

Ruth Avila

Lauren Siegel

VIP EXPERIENCE

Deborah Tonguis Becky Gilbert Victoria Rogers Jerry Parker

BIG SISTER PROGRAM Ruth Avila Kristyn Kemp

NOLA BIG SISTERS Sandy Hicks

MODEL, SALON AND BOUTIQUE LIAISON

Eileen Long

Dawn Gallo

Karen Schindler

VENUE AND EVENT VENDORS

H2O MAKE-UP

Kiersten Reed

W ITH THANKS TO H2O Receptionists, Phone Bank and the Cleanse and Treatment Department

BACKSTAGE STYLISTS FOR ALUMS Miranda Webb, Owner and her team from Timeless Beauty Day Spa

ST TAMMANY BIG SISTERS OUTREACH DIRECTOR

Rhonda Ebel

Deidra Langridge

Marie Campo Cheryl Livaudais

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY:

MASTERS OF CEREMONY

Dylan Maras and Team

Kenny Lopez

W hite Donut Productions

Candice Bennatt

DRESSING ROOM Rhonda Perez

Event Rental

BOUTIQUE

See-Hear Production

Julie Hubert

Skyline Displays

Stephanie Rivers

Expo Signs Freeman Contemporary Arts Center

Jaime Aguda

Candra George, My Creative Reality

Sara Marie Burnette

Amanda Eyes Delchamps

Kristyn Kemp

Angela Becnel

Rhonda Braquet

Deidra Landridge

Tammy Broussard

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER

Rhonda King

Rose Salvaggio BACKSTAGE CREW

Tara Huguet

Rebecca Alley

Ruth Avila

PROGRAM, GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINTING

Becky Gilbert

New Orleans Oncology Nurses

Kristyn Kemp

Tara Huguet

Deborah Tonguis, Programs

EVENT LOGISTICS AND REGISTRATION

Stephanie Rivers

Megan Vindigni

POST PARTY ENTERTAINMENT Phil from Countdown Sound

Oracle Valet Parking

OFFICIAL NOLA CLASS OF 2018 STYLISTS FROM H2O Holli Gaspard, Owner

STUDENT PHILANTHROPY Halle McKenzie Emma Hubert

Allison Schacheil

Dana Cancienne

"Fierce Beaut y Revolut ion" LOGO DESIGN

Dane Troullliet

Tricia and Anna Bas

Chelsey Walter

You Night Production (cont'd) 501(c)3 FISCAL SPONSOR The Infinity Initiative MEDIA PARTNERS St. Charles Avenue Magazine The Advocate The St. Tammany Farmer Times Picayune NOLA.COM WGNO News with a Twist W DSU W W LTV Hoss Communications

Empowerment Partner Dr . Jim m y Ellis, On cologist

NewOrleansLocal.com WGSO

VENUE PROVIDERS The home of Vicki Adjmi (Photo Shoot) Contemporary Arts Center Solomon Episcopal Center

TRAINING FACILITY Franco's on Magazine Street

BOUTIQUES Town & Country Blink Chico's Lakeside Mall Maiya Boutique Jean Therapy

PRINTING Docucenter

RETREAT CHAIRPERSONS Rhonda Ebel Marie Campo Pipeline Solutions is a full service civil contractor providing multiple services for the pipeline industry including land clearing, trucking, filling, grading, installation and maintenance of levy?s.

www.pipelinesolutions.com

She has been through hell and back so believe me when I say, "Fear her when she looks into the fire and smiles" - E. Corona

Understanding You Night -by Lisa McKenzie, You Night Founder We get to play dress up each year with our You Night themes, but no theme has ever hit me so hard as the one that we are having this year called, ?Fierce Beauty: Revolution?. Our past themes have included pirates (?Treasured?); classic rock (?Rock the Runway?); fighter theme (?Fight Club?); and 60?s British Invasion (?You Nighted Kingdom?).

We change the theme each year to keep our audience entertained with new music and decorations, but the main reason we do this is that there is a really beautiful thing that happens when we bring talented members of our community together to love on and transform our participants into these alter egos. One of my favorite speakers is Amy Cuddy who has a great talk on Ted Talks called, "Your body language may shape who you are. In her talk she says, (paraphrased) "Don't fake it until you make it. Fake it until you become it."

We give our part icipant s -- w ho have been beaten up by cancer -- t he opport unit y to see t hemselves different ly.

W hen I chose this theme, an older gentleman said in a meeting, ?I hate this theme. It?s dark and depressing?. His comments came as a surprise, because I thought that out of everyone in this community, he would get it. After all, he has spent his lifetime in oncology and full well knows that these ladies are in the battle for their lives. Is there a pretty way of presenting the battle of cancer?

Every day, in our You Night world, we are talking about the battles ? the daily struggles that the ladies continue to have after being diagnosed with cancer. The essence of You Night is that women who have been diagnosed have a safe place to land where they will be surrounded by people who ?get it?and who will give them empowering tools to lead their best possible lives ? despite the aches, pains, and fears associated with this horrid disease.

Keep in mind ? these are regular ladies who didn?t start out as warriors! They are your neighbors, teachers, moms, daughters ? they are people in our community who are just like you and me! They had regular lives, with regular families and then one day someone said the words, ?YOU HAVE CANCER?. Somewhere in that process of understanding the fight before them, they had to go from being a soccer mom or business executive to becoming a warrior ?each and every one of them.

One of our participants (Z Ordone) was coaxed into joining our program. Our program is designed to help women embrace life beyond cancer. We do this by offering empowering group activities. One of our programs is called "You Night" where we have a team of empowerment coaches train the participants to walk the fashion runway. It's an interesting process to watch unfold, because many of the women who enter our program do not feel worthy of being on that stage.

Z was deeply depressed and had no hope about her future. Cancer had destroyed her and was waging a war in her household. Her daughter dragged her to our first meeting (called our ?Meet and Greet?) where the 24 class members for the current year get to know one another. After being in the room with our team, her new sisters and the alums, she sent me this text. ?I was completely lost with no hope for my future the day before I came to that meeting. After being in that room with all these strong women ? who have gone through the same shit I?ve been through ? it made me feel like I can do this.?

THIS WAS HER WAR CRY. SHE WAS NOW PREPARED FOR THE BATTLE W ITH HER ARMY BESIDE HER. If there was ever a message that I want to get across to anyone who is listening, is that the battle is something these ladies wake up and do every day. Some are still in treatment, and others are many years out. But the war waging inside their bodies and minds continues, because once faced with cancer ? life is not the same. Check ups have new meanings, especially when the doctors give the ?all clear?(followed by the?Praise God's). Check ups have new meanings when something suspicious shows up in the scans (followed by heartfelt prayers). Check ups have new meanings when, for days prior to the appointment, the ?what ifs?start playing around in the head and fear grips the heart and soul. And Lord knows that we need an army of individuals for those who are still battling the disease!

In the midst of this battle, how do these women strip themselves of the label of ?victim of cancer.?I think many of them come to terms with the fact that they will never return to their original ?normal?? as we hear this in their conversations. The quest ion t hey all have to figure out is, ?W hat is

my new normal, and does my new normal have to have a negat ive connot at ion??.

This gets to the heart of the matter. In our program, we provide a lot of love, but we also do our best to provide coaching and teaching that helps women develop strength and beauty that comes from within. W hen a woman looks into a mirror without hair and eyelashes, it?s not easy for her to believe that she still is beautiful. UNTIL you see her on the runway stage with fire in her eyes. For some of our participants, it takes a while for the fire to appear ? that?s why our training program lasts for several months. But when the inner fire does appear ? watch out. Once it starts to burn, it?s virtually impossible to extinguish. Because when a woman truly understands her value, and that life is not defined by societal norms of ribbons and bows, it?s a value that can be passed down to our daughters who are watching. W hat better gift is that ? then to show the next generation that despite our struggles, we don?t have to be defeated (and that we can actually be much stronger than we ever thought possible).

We have an event called, ?Battle of the Models?. It?s an annual launch party for our season, where we get to introduce the year?s theme and give our alums the opportunity to showcase their runway skills and friendships of the You Night sisterhood. At this year?s theme, one of our alums asked me ahead of time if she could wear a bustier with a body suit, that would reveal that she had one breast. I said, ?Absolutely ? go for it?. The photos of Z are below.

After the event, there were some negative comments made about Z showing her body parts. And I get it ? we are a conservative society and exposing body parts is sometimes frowned upon and it makes people uncomfortable. On the other hand, if ever there is a platform to show the TRUTH about cancer, I believed that Battle of the Models was the perfect place for Z to show the world what cancer did to her. Cancer took her breast, but cancer did not take HER!

If she is brave enough to be on st age show ing t hat a body part has been cut off but t hat she st ill is st rong, beaut iful, amazing and confident , should we not be st anding on our feet giving her a st anding ovat ion?

As my daughter said after hearing some of the negative comments, ?Mom ? you would think that as a society we would have evolved on this subject matter.?She is right. Should we tell these warriors to be shameful? I mean ? is that any of OUR business when they are the ones who look in the mirrors each day! Shame on us if we are the self-conscious ones and don?t applaud them!

I feel very strongly about what Z did that night on stage, and hope her courage will resonate with every woman who is facing this battle. YOU CAN DO THIS, but it is imperative that you surround yourself with other strong people who will lift you up and walk alongside you as you journey to this new, incredible you.

] Cancer does not have to be a negative connotation that you assign to yourself. Women are resilient, especially when they are surrounded by people who can equip them to realize their purpose and passion, and it is so much fun watching our participants discover a strength they never even realized they had.

Once a year, we get to play dress up to film a music video for the year?s theme. W hen we play ?dress up?? we have a purpose for this. For one, dressing up allows us to channel something that doesn?t happen in our daily lives. We get to emotionally take on the persona of the costume we are wearing.

Doing that with a room full of other women results in a lot of laughter ? which is something not usually associated with cancer. Secondly, we do this because the experience of filming a music video dressed in character results in newfound friendships, that the ladies will take with them throughout the entire runway training process -- and then for years after that.

But most importantly, dressing up allows women to explore some deeper truths that perhaps they didn?t consider until they looked at themselves in the mirror and saw a warrior looking back.

There are 15 million survivors in the United States. We are thankful to the incredible team of physicians, family members, friends, salons, stylists, photographers, videographers, choreographers and those who come just to serve. We are grateful to those who go to battle everyday for these survivors. It is our hope, through our program, that we can continue to find ways to address the psycho-social impacts that cancer has on people, while also rallying the troops in our community who can love on these women and help them navigate to a new, incredible normal.

You are wort hy. Keep on Fight ing.

On July 26th in New Orleans, and October 25th in St. Tammany, our shows will have this year?s theme, ?FIERCE BEAUTY: REVOLUTION?. Our alums will open the show dressed as warriors. The new class members will come on stage in formal wear, contemporary wear and the final outfit (provided by Jeantherapy). The music video that they filmed (dressed as warriors) will be debuted prior to their final walk. The song that they filmed to is Christina Aguilera?s ?FIGHTER?.

We asked our part icipant s to share t heir experience of w hat dressing up like a w arrior meant to t hem. Here are t heir stories: Pat ricia Laubenstein Cancer brings out every single emotion we have within... changing from highs/ lows dark/ light all within 2.5 seconds. W hen you sit for a moment and reflect regardless where you are in the battle you realize we are WARRIORS we?ve fought or are fighting for the most important battle LIFE. Having cancer isn?t all pink shirts, bubble gum and ribbons. It?s a tremendous battle that we all desire to win. Our theme is PERFECT. Janell Morgan Blei I felt strong! Having a cancer diagnosis may make you feel like you have fallen but getting back up makes you feel strong like a warrior. If I can kick cancer, I can kick anything. Being with my You Night sisters always makes me feel strong. Having the hair and makeup like a warrior gave me a badass attitude. I didn?t realize I had an alter ego. Warriors =empowered!

Elaine Tanner Sevin My perspective is a little different. I felt strong going through cancer. I had an amazing support system, between home and school. I never felt weak or anything like that. Cancer has given me a healthy respect for my body. The human body is amazing. This, almost, 50 year old body has birthed three kids and beaten cancer. That deserves some respect. I did You Night simply because I figured I would never get an opportunity like this again and to show my family I am whole. W hat I gained was another support system with this weird fascination for dressing up and parading around on stage. I love being surrounded by women who have been through the same thing. I love that I can talk about the crap that Tamoxifen causes without having to fully explain, everyone just gets it. I love that I can be there for other women who do not have that support system that i had. And, most importantly, I love that my husband has that too. He has a group of men who have been through the same thing, the thought of losing their wives.

Sue Ellen Stew art The warrior theme is perfect. W hen I received my diagnosis, I was frightened about dealing with cancer. My friends all told me ?You got this, you?re a fighter?. I only knew to pray and research my cancer. It was not until the side effects of chemo began and a nurse/ survivor friend said, ?You are in the biggest battle of your life and your body has become a chemical war zone?did I realize I had to be a warrior. It was powerful to dress the part, come together with other women and externally live out the battle that we have had or are in now. We became united as a group to support each other, share challenges and victories. I am overwhelmed with the love, compassion, support of this faithful sisterhood. # younightsisterhood

Pam Knight For me, cancer forced me to confront any issue that I never had with myself, and a few that I did. It took away my vanity, my strength, my independence. I was left with a shell of who I was. After treatment, the doctors said, ?your scans are clear.?W ho knew this is when the real work began, healing from everything. The hair grew back and my energy and memory slowly returned. The emotional scars....those were such a different story. No one tells you how to live....come to think of it, technically I was, I mean, I was alive and above ground, breathing....that?s it, by all description, I was simply existing. You Night has forced me to face every anxiety, to include new ones. I still believe that into chemo they infuse emotions I?m still a hot mess of them. The anger and confusion is slowly healing and melting away. YouNight video shoot and makeup/ hair, invited me to rediscover a badass inside, and for the first time, in a long time, I felt beautiful, stronger. The BOTM is different, this has given me a peek of what it means to be FIERCE, superhero and strong. This is beautiful, and totally badass! Simply put, although there were many words spoken, I don?t believe I will ever fully be able to express my gratitude. Someone else said it beautifully.....?I never realized how much I needed this.?

(Pam featured on right with Pat Quintini).

Krist in Gonzalez I think the video shoot definitely brought out how I felt during the entire journey ! In the beginning denial, the middle mad and scared, then my inner strength (warrior) came out in me that I never knew existed! The warrior in me is what got me through each and every second of the day...each set back and every positive mood forward.

The journey of cancer is like being in battle... you never know what is going to be thrown at you but you have to be ready to ?fight?no matter what it is...The video made me feel like I conquered. It made me ?feel stronger?just like the song depicts. Seeing everyone in warrior costumes gave me even more ?strength?to continue on with life with a positive and ?warrior?attitude. Every woman there that day showed their inner warrior... we all got to be bad ass together!!!! The best I?ve felt in a long time.

Every scar tells a story

We are excited to announce You Night 's new program called "ScART" (Scar Art )- a nat ional part nership w it h Paint ing w it h a Tw ist !

ScART (Scar-Art) fuses psycho social care, a sisterhood of survivors, and the power of acceptance in a supportive environment. ScART is a partnership between You Night Events and Painting with a Twist.

ScART gives participants the opportunity to talk openly about scars, which can often feel ?taboo?, Cancer survivors sketch their scars, which are then transferred to canvas

by Painting with a Twist studio artists.

Participants meet as a group with other cancer survivors and then free-form their individual pieces of art to reflect the attitude they have about their scars.

Through this experience, they develop a sisterhood of support with other women who have had cancer. Together they learn to find acceptance of their scars, while also seeing that their scars can be seen as beautiful or at that scars can be seen through a different lens.

ScART is open to all female cancer survivors. Proceeds benefit You Night Empowering Events 501(c)3 fund, helping women embrace life beyond cancer.

Read Testimonials Learn More Visit Event Calendar Sign Up

w w w.scartevent s.com

You Night is a sisterhood of support designed around year-round empowering programs.

Being "cancer free" doesn't mean you are free from all that cancer brought or continues to bring in your life.

You Night is a program that addresses the on-going needs of women who have had cancer. We offer a unique alternative to cancer support groups, through goal-oriented, team building activities, resulting in a powerful sisterhood of support. We plan year-round activities, including a summer retreat, on-going get-togethers, monthly ScART painting events, and our two signature runway shows. If you know a woman who can benefit from our program, please have them sign up for more information on our website.

You Night helps women embrace life beyond cancer. www.younightevents.com

www.facebook.com/younightevents

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