Staff Writer

Patti Tyne celebrated her one-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor June 17 over a drink with friends at the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport.

Tyne was not the only breast cancer survivor at the hotel that day as the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce held its Flower Power fashion show to raise money for breast cancer research.

More than 200 women and men showed up to attend the sold out event that included a cocktail hour, silent auction, fashion show and gift baskets stuffed with gift certificates from local shops, jewelry and a guide on how to live a healthier life.

About $3,000 was raised from the silent auction, although the final tally on how much was raised by sponsorships and ticket sales were not available by the Post deadline. All the money raised will go to the Maine Cancer Society, according to Jim Fitzgerald, the chamber’s interim executive director.

“Everybody said it was a ‘wow’ event, everybody had a great time. It was just a lovely evening for everyone,” he said.

Inside, the fashion show was standing room only, but many attendees did not mind after hearing encouraging words from survivors Louise Hurlbutt and Michael Payne, whose wife, Janice, was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over a year ago.

“My diagnosis started me on a very difficult journey, more difficult than I have ever faced,” Hurlbutt said. “You freeze and say, ‘How am I going to handle this?’ Really only you can fight it. Then all of a sudden you realize you are not alone. I received incredible support from my friends and family.”

Hurlbutt paraphrased Hilary Clinton: “It took more than a village to overcome breast cancer,” she said.

She said breast cancer affects 250,000 women a year,  “it just arrives at the door with a loud bang.”

Hurlbutt advised the crowd to get digital mammograms, the kind she had detected a lump on her breast, when a regular mammogram did not. She also advised the crowd to stay away from plastics such as water bottles as well as pesticides and petroleum.

Hurlbutt told the crowd her 18 months of treatment cost $354,000 and was covered by her health insurance, but many women are not as lucky. Hurlbutt said that’s why it is important to raise money for research.

“Together, we women are a powerful force in the fight against breast cancer,” she said.

Payne walked up to the podium and embraced Hurlbutt.

“I love your hair, the minimal look is just so you,” joked Payne.

Payne said he and his wife have a wonderful life where they eat right and exercise – yet his wife was still diagnosed with cancer.

“Breast cancer will be broken, it will be cured, it will take time and a lot of money,” said Payne. “I am completely confident, maybe not in our lifetimes, maybe in our lifetimes, we will see a cure.”

After the speeches, models took turns on the catwalk and wore clothing and accessories from 16 local shops including Green Tangerine, Next Generation and Amisi, in and around Dock Square and surrounding areas.

Sarah Caselli modeled her aunt Annette Brennen’s, new line of shell jewelry and accessories from the Shell Shack.

“There were three of us walking down the runway together, so I’m not that nervous,” said Caselli.

Her aunt also was eager to show off the new line.

“I wanted to support the community. I know a lot of women that have come through it. I myself felt a lump, but it turned out to be benign,” Brennen said.

Kim Gibson, one of the friends sharing a drink with Tyne, also was in the fashion show.

“I did my first modeling gig two weeks ago at the Woodlands, I’m not from Project Runway,” Gibson joked.

It was also the Colony’s first year to be involved with the event.

“We were really excited to be involved. I think it’s a good match and it’s getting so popular, we easily have seating for 250 people,” said John Martin, the man in charge of operations at the hotel.

Audrey Zahares, a professional party planner who worked with the hotel and chamber, said she knew the event was going to be a hit from the beginning.

“I decided early on it was going to be sold out and, lo and behold, it ended up over sold out,” Zahares said, noting the smiling faces standing along the walls during the show.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.