LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sherry Trenaman Howell of Louisville has been named the Julep Ball Survivor Ambassador, representing the thousands of cancer patients who have received compassionate care and treatment from the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
The announcement came as Howell took part in the first fitting of the couture ball gown being made exclusively for her by Louisville fashion designer Gunnar Deatherage. She also received styling advice for hair and makeup in designing the look she will reveal on the red carpet at the May 6th Julep Ball at the Galt House Hotel and Suites, 140 North 4th St.
The selection of a Survivor Ambassador for the 2011 Julep Ball was the brainchild of Meliegha Tankersley, a personal stylist in Louisville, who is providing financial and in-kind support for the selection. Tankersley conceived of the idea of selecting a survivor who personifies the James Graham Brown Cancer Center’s mission of bringing world-class clinical care and research to patients and their families who are facing cancer.
Howell is a survivor of breast cancer and received treatment at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville, the beneficiary of proceeds raised by the Julep Ball. The mother of twin teenaged sons was diagnosed in 2010 and put her complete trust in the research, treatment and personal care provided by the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
At the Julep Ball, Howell will be introduced to the celebrity-filled audience and help present the Scientist of the Year Award. Each year on the night before the Kentucky Derby, the Julep Ball honors and salutes both the scientists and patients who are at the forefront of making advances in cancer treatment and delivery.
The ball draws local and national business leaders, horse industry professionals and celebrities from sports, music, cinema and television who join forces to help raise money for the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. The black-tie event features a celebrity red carpet entrance, cocktail reception, entertainment, gourmet dinner and dancing.
It’s a grand party with an even grander purpose: Proceeds from the Julep Ball help the James Graham Brown Cancer Center continue its mission of finding answers to cancer. Since 2005 more than $1.5 million in net proceeds from the center’s Derby Eve event have gone directly to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.
For information and tickets, visit www.julepball.org and www.derbyexperiences.com.
About Survivor Ambassador Sherry Trenaman HowellBorn in Louisville as the only girl in a family with five children, Sherry Trenaman Howell learned early how to fight for what is important. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, Howell’s faith, resilience and ability to fight were put to the test.
She had the strongest of allies, however – the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville. Howell put her complete trust in the research, treatment and extraordinary care provided by the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. As a result, she can now add “cancer survivor” to her long list of accomplishments.
It is a list she began compiling early. She graduated seventh in her class at Louisville’s du Pont Manual High School and attended Bellarmine University and Murray State University on academic scholarships.
She then went on to amass more than 25 years of experience as a marketing and public relations professional, with 19 of those years working with Yum! Brands. Today, she serves as a marketing and public relations consultant.
With twin teenaged sons Kimbel and Benjamin, Howell enjoys the outdoors and all the activities that come with it. She also loves to cook – another skill that comes in handy with teenaged boys. She has volunteered for organizations such as Kosair Children’s Hospital, World Hunger Awareness and the Animal Rescue Society. Howell and her sons also are active members of Southeast Christian Church of Louisville, and from there, volunteer for many throughout our community.
About the James Graham Brown Cancer Center
The James Graham Brown Cancer Center is a key component of the University of Louisville’s Health Sciences Center and UofL Health Care. As the region’s leading cancer teaching, clinical and research center, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center enables patients to benefit from the latest medical advances, often long before they become available in non-teaching settings.
The James Graham Brown Cancer Center is affiliated with the Kentucky Cancer Program and the National Cancer Institute. The center is making great strides with an aggressive plan to become a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center.
It is the only cancer center in the region to use a unified approach to cancer care, with multidisciplinary teams of physicians working together to guide patients through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. More information is available at www.browncancercenter.org.
About Gunnar Deatherage of Deatherage Designs
At just 21 years old, fashion designer Gunnar Deatherage officially took the first steps of his journey into the fashion world. Launching Deatherage Designs in 2009 with a fashion show in Jeffersonville, Ind., his first complete collection premiered on the runway with more than 400 people in attendance.
In the fall of 2010, Deatherage co-created The Basement Project, a non-profit organization that funds “Fashion With a Passion,” an effort that works to bring together the world of fashion with a world in need.
Deatherage, with the support of his sponsor, Chosen by Meliegha, has submitted his portfolio with hopes of being cast on a popular fashion reality show. And while that show and the fashion industry often lure designers to the Big Apple, Deatherage says he will continue to seek inspiration from his Kentucky home.
About Meliegha Tankersley of Chosen by Meliegha
Personal stylist Meliegha Tankersley owns Chosen by Meliegha, a personal styling business that caters to clients’ individual designing needs.
From formal ballroom attire like that worn at the Julep Ball to business wear, a night on the town or anywhere in between, Chosen by Meliegha takes the worry out of getting ready for any event. Chosen by Meliegha has a team of professionals to call upon for hair, makeup and nails as well, all readily available to bring on the glam.
Chosen by Meliegha also coordinates events, helping clients’ plan that perfect party from birthday celebrations to bridal showers and more. This combination of event planning with personal styling can make a client’s entire party “Chosen beauties” for a memorable occasion.