Mother’s cancer diagnosis spurs teen’s plan for fundraiser
Photo 
Corinne A. Price
Photo
Delavan-Darien High School junior Erika Price has collected nearly 100 used prom dresses for a cancer research benefit.
IF YOU GO
What: Used prom and formal dress sale
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 16.
Where: Delavan-Darien High School Commons, 150 Cummings St., Delavan.
Details: Clean, gently used prom dresses will be available at affordable prices. DDHS junior Erika Price is coordinating the sale to raise money for Price’s entry fee for the three-day Walk for the Cure in Chicago in August.
DELAVAN — Erika Price got the idea for collecting used prom dresses six months ago.
But the idea stayed on the back burner until her mom, Cori, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Very quickly, Cori Price’s annual cash donation to the Susan G. Koman for the Cure Foundation turned into a desire to participate in the three-day Walk for the Cure in Chicago.
That turned into a collection of 100 formal dresses that will be available for purchase Saturday. Proceeds will help Erika pay her $2,300 Walk for the Cure entry fee.
All the dresses are donated. Erika put dress collection boxes at Delavan-Darien, Big Foot, Elkhorn and Williams Bay high schools.
Students from any school are welcome to attend the sale, and fitting rooms will be available.
Most of the dresses are prom gowns in recent styles and bold colors. Some are a little less flashy, and a few would suit those with a flare for retro styles. Others might be suitable for a formal event other than prom.
One gorgeous, glittery white dress was worn in a friend’s bat mitzvah.
A few would make perfect bridesmaid dresses for a wedding with one or even two attendants.
The dresses are clean and hanging safely on racks in the Price’s dining room. Millie Swets, owner of Dutch Maid Dry Cleaners in Delavan donated the dry cleaning, Cori said.
At retail stores, prom dresses cost between $150 to $300, Cori said. The dresses at Saturday’s sale will cost much less, she said.
Erika, 16, last fall read in a magazine about holding a used prom dress sale. She asked around to find out if her friends would be interested in donating a dress or shopping at such a sale.
She got a good response, she said.
“That was before the cancer thing came up,” Erika said.
Erika and Cori in August will participate in the three-day Walk for the Cure in Chicago. The entry fee is $2,300 for each, and Erika plans to use the money raised from the sale for her entry fee.
Cori was diagnosed with cancer in early January after an irregular mammogram. The cancer is in the very early stages, she said.
She has since had two lumpectomies and is in her fourth of eight weeks of radiation therapy.
Cori considers herself fortunate to have been diagnosed so quickly and to be able to avoid chemotherapy.
“Don’t ever skip your mammogram,” she said.
Talking to her, one would never know she’s been ill. She chatters happily about the plans for this week’s sale as well as the hope that Erika can host the same event next year.
She has been amazed at the response she has gotten from the community. Every time she mentioned the event, someone has stepped up to offer help, Cori said, and everything has fallen quickly into place.
“All we need now are shoppers.”
Apr 16, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Good post fear!Shelby- there is no need to call each other names.You live in a great state.Home of the world champion Green Bay Packers. Not the Vikings,LOSER of three super bowls!Try not to let your bitterness show so much!
Apr 16, 2011 at 1:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Disgusting diotribe of good health care for all, without corrupt politicians or ins companies controlling(rationing) care? Keep telling yourself that! Pathetic! Status quo means more uncovered people dying for no reason, now THAT is disgusting!
Apr 16, 2011 at 1:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
CallitasIseeit, you are exactly right! Vile posters like sloppyjoes711 and fearandrhetoric4dummies, will not miss any opportunity to spread their disgusting diatribe! they could care less about this woman or her daughter. All they see is an opening to spread their filth. I won't comment again, as it just opens the door for more of their ilk!
Apr 16, 2011 at 1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rhetoric? Call it as I SEE IT, FACTS! While we all feel for this family and pray for them this is a product of the busted system. Take your whining somewhere else if it doesnt agree with your own rhetoric. While this is a WONDERFUL thing, certain things NEED to be pointed out. I will continue to advocate for what I believe is right, no matter what ANYONE says. You dont like it dont read, I DONT CARE, what the money grubbers think. This argument is about HUMAN BEINGS, not money. I would hope that EVERY family in this "great" nation could get the care they need for a cancer diagnosis, based on their illness, not coverage.
Apr 16, 2011 at 12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
Great story!
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation raises money for cancer research, not to pay for treatment. Take your rhetoric elsewhere.
Apr 16, 2011 at 12:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
NOT political, sloppy is absolutely correct! The fact that we need giant fundraisers just goes to the fact of our inhumane broken health care system.
Prayers out to the family, and may God bless this young woman. Truly a blessing for this family.
Shelby, you dont like the political tone? This is a political issue. People all over the nation need these fundraising events because of insurance companies that refuse coverage to customers based on cost being too high. If it makes youe sick then call Paul Ryan and all of the other politicians that think our corrupt system is working. Tell that to this family, and the thousands of others nationwide that go bankrupt when a loved one gets cancer, whether they have insurance or not! Shame on YOU!!!
God bless this young wonam , and may od lift you up and find you and heal your disease. The lord God would certainly not support a system like ours(USA). Sometimes makes me wonder if there even is a God!
Apr 16, 2011 at 12:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Erika,
I wish you much success on your dress sale.
Amazing young lady,indeed.
To Ms.Price,my best to you as you battle this diease.
I hope that the gazette does a followup to this story.
Apr 16, 2011 at 9:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks, mheine, I went to the website but couldn't dig up this info. Good for this young woman. I have a lot of problems with some of what the Komen foundation does, but it's always good to see anyone, especially a young person, give so freely of her time and energy.
Apr 16, 2011 at 8:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
That question is not hate filled at all!It's an honest question. Settle down Shelby!
Apr 16, 2011 at 8:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sloppyjoes711: You are one sick individual to bring your political crap into this story. Not every story needs to have your hatred inserted into it. You are truly a disgusting, vile, ignorant instigator.
Apr 15, 2011 at 7:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
From the event website:
"All walkers must agree to raise a minimum of $2,300 for the 3-Day for the Cure in order to walk... Each walker (whether you are on a team or not) is responsible for her or his own fundraising commitment in order to participate. "
http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?p...
Good luck with the sale, Erika.
- Mike Heine
Delavan-Darien School District
Coordinator of School-Community Relations
Apr 15, 2011 at 6:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hopefully she has insurance.She is too young to have such a horrible disease.I am wondering if she was older would an insurance company give her a policy covered by a "voucher" that Paul Ryan envisions? My prayers are with you.
Apr 15, 2011 at 6:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's Komen, not Koman, and what IS with that entry fee?
Apr 15, 2011 at 4:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
What a amazing young lady and what a proud mom she must be.I have a question...I know that it costs to put on these events,but why does it cost $2300 per walker? Are most of these larger walks in that price range? I was always under the impression that walkers/survivors got donations and not charged to participate.I do not have a need for a dress ,but will be sending a donation.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.