Children with physical challenges are twice as likely to be bullied, impacting their educational, physical and emotional development according to the National Bullying Prevention Center. In support of National Bullying Prevention Month this October, Shriners Hospitals for Children® and award-winning actor, model, philanthropist, and patient ambassador, RJ Mitte, are once again partnering to encourage the public to help #CutTheBull.
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu is joining this national effort with Calypso St. Barth for a #CutTheBull fashion event on Saturday, Oct 17 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki. Guests will enjoy a 10 percent discount and 10 percent of sales will benefit the hospital’s life-transforming care. Several of the Honolulu Shriners Hospital’s patient ambassadors will be modeling at Calypso St. Barth from 1 - 1:30 p.m. with celebrity models, Denby, Darah and Dana Dung. Style expert, Lance Rae, will emcee.
Some of the hospital’s patients received care at the Honolulu Shriners Hospital for routine orthopaedic issues and sports injuries and Shriners physicians and rehabilitation specialists helped them get back into sports and physical activities. Others needed life-transforming care for rare bone, muscle and joint conditions including Alyshia Shimizu, 21, who survived flesh-eating disease and endured bullying as a child. A beauty queen and Honolulu City Council honoree, Alyshia credits the Honolulu Shriners Hospital for healing her skin and her spirit.
“Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu and Calypso St. Barth are honored to see Shriners patient ambassadors as model students and young adults. For some, this is their first fashion show, yet they are walking with confidence, saying ‘no’ to bullying, and living their dreams without limits,” said Mahealani Richardson, Director of Public Relations, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu.
Before the fashion show, each patient will have their makeup and hair styled by Black Cat Salon + Spa in Kaimuki.
“It’s been an absolute delight seeing our patients during their fashion fittings. The smiles on their faces is priceless!” said Richardson.
On Monday, the Shriners team made an appearance on Hawaii News Now and the patient ambassadors loved working the cameras.
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu provides specialty pediatric care for children with orthopaedic conditions, sports injuries and neurodevelopmental conditions. The hospital welcomes children up to 18 with or without health insurance regardless of a family's ability to pay.
For more information about #CutTheBull, visit CutTheBull.org or to learn more about the Honolulu Shriners Hospital, visit ShrinersHonolulu.org.
