Cancer survivors stage fashion show today

When breast cancer survivor Lisa Pedersen walks the runway today to model fashions at Gurnee Mills, she wants to show off a different type of beauty.

"I look better now than before I had cancer. It's an inner beauty now," the 44-year-old Grayslake resident said. "If you don't have that, you don't have anything."

The Power of Purple fashion show celebrates 20 men and women who have survived cancer and their families, said show organizer Deborah Pointer.

"We want to give tribute to the journey they have gone through," she said. "They can say, 'we made it. We're proud of it and if we can do it, so can you.'"

The fashion show -- from 1 to 2 p.m. -- will be among the attractions today as the Cancer Resource Center hosts a women's expo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gurnee Mills Mall near Entrance H.

While October recognizes breast cancer awareness month, Pointer said the show directs attention to men and women diagnosed with all forms of cancer.

Robbie Robinson, a five-year survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, said he devotes his time to show how one person can make a difference. He has done two half-marathons for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and helps lead therapy at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion.

"Just because you've had cancer does not mean your days of greatness are over," said Robinson of Fox Lake.

Many cancer survivors also will be modeling alongside family members. Robinson will share the stage with his three children, Michelle, 26, Rachel, 22, and Chris, 20.

"To do it with my family, I couldn't be happier," he said.

The fashion show will be emceed by Rebecca Ortiz, a morning DJ from 102.3, WXLC-FM radio, and Elena Roman, from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

The Cancer Resource Center -- a branch of Cancer Treatment Centers of America -- has operated inside Gurnee Mills for 11 years. Through the expo, the staff hopes to educate the public abut the services they offer. These include mammograms and education about diagnosis and nutritional counseling, Pointer said.

There will be 40 exhibitors participating in the expo this year, she added. Among free services are blood pressure checks, massages, body mass index testing and bone density tests.

Also represented will be Viva! Mujer Latina, a Spanish speaking support group for breast cancer survivors and their families offered by the YWCA of Lake County.