DRESSED TO LIVE

Fashion show benefits kids with cancer

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The glitziest runway in the five boroughs wasn’t to be found along Fashion Avenue in Manhattan, but instead at the College of Mount Saint Vincent — with pediatric cancer survivors and their royal companions taking center stage.

With music blasting in the background, youngsters posed for the cameras alongside the likes of Cinderella and Snow White as part of the second annual “Find Your Wings” fundraiser, hosted by the nonprofit A Moment of Magic Foundation.

Since its creation by former Mount students Kylee McGrane and Margaret McAndrew in late 2014, the foundation has worked to improve the spirits of cancer-stricken kids, primarily by dressing up as beloved fictional characters and arranging bedside visits to hospitals across the country. 

From then on, the group’s operations have expanded to parades, book readings and now fashion shows — the latest of which was conceived by Ashley Clayton, the president of the foundation’s Mount chapter, and a graduating senior.

“We wanted to have the kids here for them to have fun,” Clayton said. “So, it’s cool that (people) can see us interacting with them.”

Among the happy kids in attendance that Saturday afternoon was Thornwood native Gia Gentile, 7, who was originally diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer originating in the adrenal gland. Like many kids diagnosed with neuroblastoma, by the time Gia’s doctors discovered her cancer, it already had metastasized into other parts of her body. 

Fortunately, Gia now finds herself in remission — and in much higher spirits, thanks in large part, her mother said, to the work of organizations such as Moment of Magic.

“We were lucky,” said Dana Gentile, a schoolteacher, while recalling the first time her family had crossed paths with the group. “About two months into (Gia’s) journey, we met them and saw them in the hospital. Since then on, they’ve just been like part of the family.”

As for Gia’s similarly aged siblings — brother Tino and sister Jordana — they too are big fans of the costumed students and their philanthropic work.

“They’re absolutely ecstatic to come here tonight, and they just love the princesses,” Dana saidd. “They love everything they stand for. (The princesses) make them feel good … They just give them attention and make them smile.”

Creating experiences such as those has garnered the foundation a multitude of support, having since visited more than 20,000 children in 29 states. 

Since the inaugural Mount chapter was founded three years ago, the group has expanded its presence to 14 campuses across the nation, including a chapter at Fordham University and another at Stony Brook University on Long Island. 

Per the foundation’s website, they hope to expand their collegiate footprint at a pace of between five and 10 new chapters each year.

Kylee McGrane, who after graduating from The Mount became the foundation’s executive director on a full-time basis, said witnessing the charity’s growth has been nothing short of “surreal.”

“Seeing it come to real life, seeing it come to fruition … is just unbelievable,” McGrane said. “We’re so lucky that we have such amazing student leaders that are doing this all over the country. We wouldn’t be able to do this without them, so we’re really lucky to have great people behind us.”

But don’t be fooled by the costumes. Students hoping to volunteer with the organization must first meet a number of requirements. Specifically, prospective volunteers are required to attend a dozen 90-minute training sessions touching on topics from working with children with special needs to the federal medical privacy laws. 

They must also maintain a specific grade-point average while logging 40 hours shadowing experienced members during hospital visits.

Yet despite those daunting requirements, students continue to get involved, something Dana Gentile said doesn’t go unnoticed.

“We’re just so appreciative that these amazing college-aged women — I mean, in college, most kids are worrying about partying, and the last thing that they’re worrying about is helping others,” she said. “So, they just are commendable young women that are going to be amazing at everything they do in life because they’ve made a difference in so many lives.”

That feeling, according to Clayton, is mutual.

“I just want to thank all the parents for letting these kids into our lives,” she said. “They’ve changed all of us for the better.”

College of Mount Saint Vincent, A Moment of Magic Foundation, Kylee McGrane, Margaret McAndrew, Aaron Mayorga

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