Remembering Kailyn

Three years ago, we lost our second-cousin Kailyn to cancer at the tender age of 14. While she was fighting her 3 year battle with the disease, she established a foundation to raise awareness and funds for other kids with her specific cancer--the rare rhabdomyosarcoma. Every year, the foundation holds a very popular and successful golf outing--but ever the fashion diva that she was, Kailyn always wanted to host a fashion show, too. Her incredibly strong mom Karen, along with the help of her family and friends, fulfilled that dream of Kailyn's on Sunday!

It was such a beautiful day.



There was a silent auction made up of countless generous donations.
Karen, welcoming everyone. Kailyn's doctor from Children's Memorial also spoke--remembering Kailyn with such fondness and noting she had a wig for every occasion--again, the fashion diva.
Her friends sang an a capella arrangement that didn't leave many dry eyes in the house. Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah will do that.
And my beautiful sister who fought her own health battle--and who wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my beautiful mother. These two make a dynamic duo. Brittany continues to be such a blessing in our lives--it's been that way since the day she was born.
SISTERS.
Our Gacek girls--Rita, Linda, Karen & Patti.

A little bit of the "fashion" part of the show. The handsome gentleman is Kailyn's older brother, Neil.