About Catwalk for Kids
There are over 12,500 children each year that are diagnosed with cancer. Eden Adams was diagnosed with cancer when she was only in kindergarten. Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids thinks being a kid is about learning how to ride your bike, playing on the playground, making crafts, playing dress up, and having nothing to worry about. Even though Eden could do these activities, she did have more worries than any other kindergartener in Columbus. She had to worry about her hair falling out, taking her medication, getting chemo treatments, and worrying about if she would have enough strength to make it through the next day. Eden was a true soldier and fought her battle against cancer. She won the first time, but the cancer came back and Eden’s body could not handle the pain and God decided it was time for her to come home to be pain free. WE WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH EDEN!
Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids, a local non-profit organization is taking a stand to prevent any child to suffer like Eden did. Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids hosts a huge annual fashion show each summer that has raised over $30,000 in the past three years. All of the proceeds have helped local children with cancer in some way shape or form.
The founder of Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids, Jenelle Krumlauf, is a young and ambitious 19 year old that is wanting to make her mark on the Columbus community. She started this organization when she was only 16 years old with one desire, helping people. Over time she found research that showed childhood cancer is overlooked many times and does not receive a lot of funding. She then fused her passion for fashion and her passion for helping kids with cancer into one, through a huge fashion show. Krumlauf said, “after the first fashion show I was hooked, and I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” The whole community has been a huge supporter for this cause, including the Hilton Hotel at Easton, which has hosted the fashion show for the past two years. The 2009 fashion show was a success; with over 1,000 guests in attendance to watch 80 models walk down the catwalk taking a stand for kids with cancer!
Future Plans for Nellie's Catwalk for Kids
- August 6th, 2010 our 4th Annual Fashion Show will be hosted at the Aladdin Shrine Center, at Easton.
- Start up Nellie’s Clubs in high schools and colleges to help raise money and awareness of our organization (see Nellie’s Club for more details)
- In addition to the fashion show, we are starting Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids CLUB which will be a free club for local kids with cancer. We will have fun events for club members throughout the year, we will also act as a support system for members and their families. We will be there for them to relieve unneeded stress, such as: preparing meals, transporting family members to various places, and anything else the family may need.
- In the next ten years, we plan to move across the United States, starting up fashion shows in other major cities to help children with cancer in those cities. The more funds raised will in return help advance research and more funds for treatment.
- Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids motivation for everything is finding a cure for cancer, one outfit at a time!