Runway of Hope to raise funds for Pink Warrior Angels, cancer survivors on April 1

Special to the Leader-Press 

Two Copperas Cove cancer warriors are among the 22 taking to the runway on Saturday, April 1, at the Knoxville Ranch Wedding and Event Venue, for Pink Warrior Angels annual Runway of Hope – Hope Grows here.
Knoxville Ranch owners Robin and Butch Mogavero have joined with PWA to host the event.
“We are excited to host PWA this year as the property allows for big events, that can accommodate their cancer survivors to help with the cost of putting on the show. Living with cancer is just not what anyone has ever planned for. Giving back to assist this wonderful nonprofit is key to community unity.”
The show features 22 cancer survivors, to include males, females, and children will walk the runway to showcase their individual stories in an effort to raise funds for financial aid grants.
The cancer survivors hail from all over the United States and one from Canada to join a three-day mini-retreat to heal through the emotional trauma that comes with a cancer diagnosis. 
Their retreat ends with a day of pampering and glam to walk the runway to share their story oresilience and hope.
Among the 22 models are Copperas Cove residents Mandy Hunt and C.J. Sowell. 
Another Copperas Cove resident, ROH 2019 model Tyra Charmant, will be honored that evening. Charmant is a 20-year military veteran battling stage IV metastatic breast cancer. 
As the primary fundraising effort for PWA, the Runway of Hope will enable PWA to provide financial aid grants to cancer warriors across the United States who need help with monthly bills like their mortgage, car payment, utilities, or even groceries and gas cards. 
“We’re a small organization and one of the few that do not discriminate for helping with financial aid grants based on income levels. We get referrals from the big cancer non-profits all the time, and this past year we’ve been averaging over $20,000 in financial aid requests each month,” says Julie Moser, PWA Executive Director. “We don’t have a budget that allows that kind of assistance so we’re left to decide what we can offer that provides the most positive impact for our cancer warriors. Runway of Hope is crucial to helping us meet our mission.”
In addition to the runway show that evening, PWA is offering silent auction items and raffle giveaways available for bidding now and a live auction on the night of the event featuring autographed items from celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, George Strait, Matthew McConaughey, and Tim McGraw. The organization hopes to raise $50,000 in funding that will allow them to double its current financial aid grant amounts.
The 22 models were selected through an application process and live across the United States
and Canada. Sixteen women, three men, and three pediatric kids will walk the runway in recognition of a variety of cancers including kidney, ovarian, colon, head and neck, brain, metastatic breast, and pediatric cancer. 
Runway coach and former professional model, Lolita Frazier, is proud of each model and excited about this event. 
“I worked individually with each model to show them how to strut down the runway in a way that represents their individual personalities and stories. You will laugh and cry and cheer with excitement while watching each of them.”
Rhayne Thomas is traveling to Texas to be in attendance as the emcee of the live show. She
was a guest of honor during a virtual meet and greet to get to know each model prior to the live event.
“We are so excited to welcome Rhayne for the second time to Texas for the Runway of Hope,” said Moser. “She embodies that spunky, fun, spirit we wanted in an emcee. She will
also be helping us honor Jasmine Waggner and Tyra Charmant. Both are now stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (no cure) and they represent our theme ‘Hope Grows Here’ as they
are warriors who continue to fight and give hope to others. Tyra is a 20-year veteran who served our country and multiple deployments yet are everyone’s biggest cheerleader. “
Tickets to attend tickets can be purchased till midnight CST on March 17, 2023, at https://pinkwarriorangels.org/runway-of-hope/ and there is a virtual option as well.