CHARITY COMMITMENT
Charity has been at the center of DaMi™ Skincare’s Corporate
Values since before it was a registered entity; as such, a commitment
was made to donate 10% of DaMi’s profits to a worthy charitable
organization. It seemed more than appropriate to include the
infamous ‘Pink Ribbon’ on DaMi’s packaging and make Breast Cancer
Awareness DaMi’s leading Charity to support.
Through a mutual friend, I was invited to participate in the
upcoming GRAPHIC Art Bra Fashion Show and Art Auction: an evening filled
with incredible art and an amazing array of beautiful Survivor-models
on the runway. Being the 2nd largest event of the year for the
Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (BCRC), it was quite clearly a
celebration of life for all.
Having never been close to any Survivors, my naïveté became
painfully apparent as I entered the Gala. About half-way through
the evening, she walked out from behind the curtain and stepped onto
the catwalk. Her name was Sarah Lisle and the lights were flashing,
music bumping, and crowd cheering. Then suddenly Sarah collapsed
and as she lay on the runway motionless, the crowd slowly realized this
was not part of the evening’s show.
Doctors rushed to her side (even her oncologist was there) as the
crowd grew more and more silent. The spot lights were dimmed, the
music stopped, and the crowd watched helplessly as the doctors
struggled to keep Sarah as the doctors struggled to revive Sarah.
A woman requested we all pray together, which we did. After 10-20
very long minutes, Sarah was taken out on a stretcher and I will say
this: she did not look good in her unconscious-state.
“This is what we do…” said Vivian Smith and Barbara Formichelli of
the BCRC easing the crowd of more than 200 while re-engaging the
models, guests, and production staff. At the request of the
models, the show went on as did the celebration. Within an hour,
they announced that Sarah was in stable condition, which opened up
hearts as well as philanthropist’s checkbooks.
The BCRC is a centralized source of information, education and
support that empowers those affected by breast cancer to navigate
through the diagnosis, treatment, recover and beyond as active,
knowledgeable participants in their healthcare. All services are
free.
A renewed sense of dedication to DaMi’s Corporate Charity
Commitment was ignited that night, as was a realization of just how
important it is to keep organizations like the Breast Cancer Resource
Centers of Texas available to the countless number of women who are
affected by this dreadful disease.
Daniel Karayan
Healed and At Home
The Breast Cancer Resource Center
