One of the coolest things about our “I’m Still Beautiful” event is that the models in the fashion show are all cancer survivors, or in the case of one, walking the runway in honor of someone who was taken away from us by cancer. They are the funnest bunch of people, and we love hanging out with them at the event every year, and watching them do their thing on the catwalk.
We’ve asked some of the models to share what “beautiful” means to them. Meet a few of our fabulous models!
Callahan Dylan Miller
Beautiful to me means wearing your heart and confidence on the outside. People’s perception of you starts with the projection of not only your image, but who you are on the inside. I feel the most beautiful when I have put a smile on someones face or know that I have helped someone I care about. Having the poise and assurance in your character is the most beautiful accessory you can’t buy anywhere!
Tara Ellis, our poster girl
I always remember my grandmother telling me “pretty is as pretty does”. This was way before Forrest Gump too! It is astounding how such a small phrase carries so much significance. Beauty to me truly is being a good person at your core and when you are, it can’t help but shine through!
Catherine Tucker (left in photo)
True beauty transcends hair loss and scars. Since my lymphoma diagnosis, I’ve discovered an inner strength I never knew I possessed. This inner strength, confidence, and zest for life are what make someone beautiful.
Bill Moore
Being beautiful is a symptom of love and compassion. It’s a radiating joy that inspires others to feel good. It’s extending grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Life itself is being beautiful and I am so grateful to God for a second chance at life.
Come see these beautiful girls (and guys) walk in the fashion show at I’m Still Beautiful next Thursday, March 3rd!
You might be wondering who the gorgeous girl on our poster is, or you may have recognized her as one of our models from last year’s event. That’s Tara Ellis! Here’s a little about Tara:
I was born and raised right here in Nashville, which is rare, most people who are from here move away and we get our fill from music transplants all over the world! I attended University of Tennessee at Knoxville right out of high school and couldn’t quite hang with the BIG ORANGE so I moved back home and went to MTSU. It took me a while to graduate with all the bumps along the road but I finally did it! The first bump was an unexpected pregnancy which turned out to be the biggest blessing I will likely ever receive, the second an unexpected divorce (also a blessing) and the third, an unexpected diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer at 23.
I discovered a lump and because I breast-fed my then 1 year old son, thought I may have had a clogged duct and made an appointment with my OBGYN who immediately referred me to an oncologist at Centennial. I have never been more thankful for intuition in my life! It turned out what most women would have simply ignored was indeed my worst fear. My whole family lives here so, while I had a great support system, I still felt all alone. I didn’t know about “Giving Back is the New Black” or Stupidcancer.org and none of my friends had experienced anything like this. I felt helpless, which, as a person is not a good feeling but as a mother, was even worse.
I chose to have breast-conserving surgery, a lumpectomy followed by radiation due to cancer’s prevalence in my immediate family and having the BRCA1 gene mutation. I have had several scares afterward at follow up sessions and still continue to be regularly scanned. It’s been five years since my diagnosis and I have been totally cancer free for nearly three years. I currently work as the Marketing Director for Wellness Financial Advisors, a financial planning firm in Brentwood. When I’m not working I enjoy yoga, spending time with my son, Eric (6) who is amazing, my family, and my boyfriend John, who has been and continues to be one of my biggest supporters.
So now you’ve gotten to know our Beautiful poster girl! We love Tara, her grateful attitude and her courageous spirit, not to mention her humor. Come see Tara model again at I’m Still Beautiful on March 3rd!
Tara Ellis, our poster girl
Bill Moore