The Runway Raises More than $500,000

The Runway, a contemporary, lunchtime fashion show presented by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, raised more than $500,000 to support the featured beneficiary of the 2018 Daisy Days fundraising campaign, sickle cell research and patient care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Hundreds of donors, clinicians and friends of CHOP attended the event on May 1 at the Hyatt at the Bellevue in Center City, Philadelphia. Curated by Philadelphia’s trendsetters and taste-makers, The Runway showcased stylish and up-to-the-minute ensembles by area top designers and boutiques. Looks were produced by Delsette, Joan Shepp, Kirna Zabête, Lilly Pulitzer, Nicole Miller and Skirt, and were modeled by 6abc personalities, local celebrities, Hospital supporters, and patients. 6abc’s Karen Rogers emceed the event, and Ruthie Friedlander, Special Projects Director at Instyle magazine, provided expert fashion commentary and insider trends. The event featured a fashion-focused silent auction and an exclusive trunk show with vendors offering one-of-a-kind selections in clothing, jewelry and accessories. Hair and makeup was provided courtesy of Artur Kirsh Salon/Bellevue-Manayunk.

Children with sickle cell disease can experience excruciating pain and repeated visits to the emergency department, and have a high risk of stroke and an average life expectancy of only 50 years. The only cure for the chronic, inherited disease is a bone marrow transplantation, which is so limited that relatively few procedures are completed. But, major breakthroughs are near. All proceeds from The Runway will benefit the sickle cell research and patient care at CHOP, where a large and comprehensive Sickle Cell Center offers all the specialty services these patients need. Our researchers are on the cusp of history-making breakthroughs: a curative gene therapy that can bring healthy bone marrow into the blood cells, and a revolutionary cure for unborn babies diagnosed while still in the womb.