‘Fashion for a Cure’ shares stories of survival

Sunrise resident Melissa Baio was 33-years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.

Her massage therapy practice was taking off, plus she and her husband were trying to provide a younger sibling for their 3-year-old daughter.

But she wasn’t getting pregnant. A breast exam during a visit to the gynecologist confirmed she had a lump.

“Instead of me trying to figure out why I wasn’t getting pregnant, I was now on a journey to go get mammograms and ultrasounds,” said Baio. “Sure enough, the tumor came back that it was Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma.”

The 41-year-old had a bilateral mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy following her diagnosis. She is now a survivor of seven years.

Baio’s story was one of eight shared during “Fashion for Cure,” the project started by Mariya Wai of Mariya Wai Photography for the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.

The special project served to share their stories, as well help support the organization’s fundraising and awareness campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We’re a small organization, so we appreciate people like Mariya who come to find us,” said Cathy Cruz, manager of marketing and communications for the foundation. “It’s with the generosity of people like herself that we’re able to do what we do at our foundation.”

Cruz said sharing the women’s stories will not only raise awareness

about the disease but will also celebrate hope and show people that there is life after diagnosis.

“As a woman, this is my way of giving back to the community and support these women,” Wai said. “I wish I could meet them all. Maybe next year we can do more.”

Baio and her fellow survivors got the model treatment at the photographer’s Plantation home, where they were dolled up by makeup artists and treated to a meal catered by Temple Street Eatery.

She appreciated the glam experience, as one’s body can go through many changes after diagnosis.

“It’s wonderful that they’re able to put this together for us and take wonderful pictures and make you feel beautiful again and appreciate what you’ve been through,” Baio said.

For more information, visit Floridabreastcancer.org.

“As a woman, this is my way of giving back to the community and support these women.” — Mariya Wai, photographer for the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation