Angela Monahan, RN, Kelly Gernander, RN and her daughter, Olivia, walk the runway during last year’s Chemo Gown Extravaganza event. Courtesy photos
Proceeds from the event at Higher Ground Ballroom benefit the American Cancer Society in Vermont
Vermont Business Magazine Creativity and community will be in high fashion this April, when dozens of oncology and infusion nurses and some cancer patients from University of Vermont Cancer Center take the stage at Higher Ground Ballroom as part of Infusion Fashions: A Chemo Gown Extravaganza.
The event, which will be held from 5-9 pm on Saturday, April 12 at Higher Ground Ballroom, 1214 Williston Road, South Burlington, is the brainchild of Louise Friedeborn, RN, an oncology nurse at UVM Cancer Center. It brings nurses, patients and members of the community together to raise awareness and funding to support cancer patients and their families.
Participants walk the runway to a song of their choosing while wearing unique garments designed using the blue gowns worn by nurses as they administer chemotherapy treatments. The event also includes a 50-50 raffle and silent auction. Organizers say they hope to raise $10,000 to support cancer patients and their families in Vermont.
“There is so much stress around cancer and cancer treatment. This is a way of showing the joy and beauty and love we have toward each other in this community,” said Leslie Twichell, RN, a nurse manager at UVM Cancer Center and event participant. “It’s also an open invitation to the community to see the great work we’re doing at the Cancer Center.”
Friedeborn’s idea came from the playful comments made by patients, who often joke with their nurses about “getting dressed up” to see them. She presented the idea to the American Cancer Society in 2023 and last year UVM Cancer Center held its first-ever Chemo Gown Extravaganza, which included runway walks by 30 nurses and raised $6,200. More than 300 people attended the event. Proceeds benefited Hope Lodge and Road to Recovery, a program that provides transportation to treatment for cancer patients in Vermont.
“People on active treatment showed up; people who had finished treatment – it was amazing,” said Friedeborn, who organizes the event. “Patients felt so supported and proud to be a part of this community of survivorship. It was joyful and spirited and let them forget about everything and see the nurses in a different way.”
This year’s Extravaganza has grown, with 35 nurses participating in the chemo gown fashion show, including some mother-daughter pairs. Some UVM Cancer Center patients are also participating, Friedeborn said, adding that she’s thrilled by the outpouring of support and enthusiasm surrounding the event.
“It’s just a great evening – I can’t even describe it,” said Friedeborn. “I’m really proud of the support and the other nurses helping put this together. Nurses are very nervous to go out on stage and do this, but they’re doing it for their patients.”
Tickets for the show are $30 in advance or $40 on the day of the event. Visit the Higher Grounds website to get your tickets.
Charge nurses Julia Johnson, RN, and Amanda Reardon, RN, walk the runway during last year’s Chemo Gown Extravaganza event.
About the University of Vermont Cancer Center
Founded in 1974, the University of Vermont Cancer Center is Vermont’s only not-for-profit comprehensive clinical and research cancer center. The cancer center is located within the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine and enjoys a clinical partnership with the University of Vermont Health Network. Drawing on the expertise of more than 180 research and clinical members, the center works to reduce the burden of cancer in Vermont, northeastern New York and across northern New England, through research, outstanding clinical care, community outreach, and education. For more information, please go to: www.vermontcancer.org
About the University of Vermont Medical Center
The University of Vermont Medical Center is a 499-bed tertiary care regional referral center providing advanced care to approximately 1 million residents in Vermont and northern New York. Together with our partners at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, we are Vermont’s academic medical center. The University of Vermont Medical Center also serves as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
The University of Vermont Medical Center is a member of The University of Vermont Health Network, an integrated system established to deliver high-quality academic medicine to every community we serve.
About The University of Vermont Health Network
The University of Vermont Health Network is an integrated system serving the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives. The partners are:
- The University of Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Home Health & Hospice
Source: South Burlington, VT (3/24/2025) – UVMMC
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