On the runway: Cancer survivors show their style at 412 Thrive fashion fundraiser

When Alayna Gallagher was asked to help with a fashion show for cancer survivors she immediately thought of her best friend in college — Lindsay Freed.

“I keep Lindsay’s spirit with me every day,” said Gallagher, who lost Freed to cancer at 28 years old. “I immediately said I would do whatever was needed for the fashion show.”

Gallagher, the owner of Vintage 416 in Millvale, a boutique of sustainable and affordable alternative clothing and accessories from the 1920s-1990s, was the stylist for “A Catwalk Featuring Cancer Survivors,” an Oscar-themed event to benefit 412 Thrive.

The nonprofit’s mission is to empower and provide critical resources to a community of individuals impacted by breast cancer and genetic mutations that lead to cancer. The organization provides gatherings, educational workshops, wellness retreats and care packages with items such as blankets and knit caps, things to help ease a cancer journey.

Ya Jagoff Media LLC and Vintage 416 collaborated with 412 Thrive to host the event March 2, the same day as the 97th Academy Awards — known as the Oscars — honoring the best in film from 2024.

Cancer Thrivers, as 412 Thrive calls these courageous cancer survivors, were treated to red-carpet style.

A dozen models, all cancer survivors, walked the runway at the Ross Elementary School auditorium in the North Hills School District. Each wore two outfits highlighting Oscar trends from past decades.

Gallagher met with the models and helped them choose a casual and evening look.

Model Katie Dudas said Gallagher took the time to learn about their individual fashion taste. Dudas said Gallagher helped choose a purple dress to complement Dudas’ hair which has touches of purple hue.

“I am not someone who can choose the perfect outfit,” said Dudas of Crafton Heights. “But I liked the purple dress so much that I bought it.”

As each model walked the runway, Gallagher described the outfit and the decade it was from. She asked each model a question such as which celebrity would play you in a movie?

Dudas said the experience was wonderful. As models got dressed, they helped each other with their makeup, Dudas said.

The models were invited to participate. Some said yes right away, and it took others time to decide, Dudas said.

“As a cancer survivor, you are not always 100% confident in your body,” Dudas said. “But for this fashion show, Alayna made choosing what to wear so easy. And the people who attended were great. They made us all feel so good.”

As models walked the runway, they paused in several spots just like fashion models.

“I made some new friends,” Dudas said. “All of the models did great.”

As a nonprofit, these types of events help to raise critical funds, said Rachael Rennebeck of Ross, who is president of 412 Thrive and co-founder of Ya Jagoff Media with John Chamberlin.

“We are always looking for fundraising ideas,” Rennebeck said.

Gallagher said she was happy to help raise money for 412 Thrive.

“It was fun,” Gallagher said. “We played dress up, and I got to learn about each of their individual journeys. I felt honored to get to know them, and I know for some of them this was stepping out of their comfort zone but women are resilient and they did so well. This was empowering especially being held the same day as the Oscars and during Women’s History Month.”

412 Thrive’s next fundraiser will be a Kentucky Derby event May 3.

Details are at 412thrive.org.