University High School senior Gabe Mervis is teaming up with his older brother Isaac (’15) to hold a charity fashion show in Fairbanks Hall next month.
The Runway 4 Riley event will be Friday, April 29 from 7-9 p.m. and is a fundraiser for the Caroline Symmes Children’s Cancer Endowment, which benefits pediatric cancer research at Riley Children’s Hospital.
Gabe and Isaac won’t be the only Trailblazers at Runway 4 Riley. Students and faculty members will walk the runway, modeling outfits from local boutiques and jewelers. After the runway show, attendees will have time to browse and buy from the boutiques set up throughout the building. One of the boutiques will even have a University connection – Mrs. Krieble will have a pop-up shop for her nonprofit, The Ribe Project.
Both Gabe and Isaac are involved with the Caroline Symmes Children’s Cancer Endowment, as Teen Board member and Teen Board director, respectively. For Gabe, the mission of the Endowment has a personal connection.
“Watching a teammate of mine on the baseball team battle with stage-4 testicular cancer showed me first-hand how important it is to fund pediatric cancer,” said Gabe. “There is a desperate need for more research. Due to insufficient research on children, pediatric cancer patients are often given adult cancer medications, despite knowing that the biology of children and adults differ significantly. My teammate’s journey inspired me to join the Teen Board and do my part to raise funds as well as awareness for this issue. Hopefully this event will take a step towards accomplishing both of those goals.”
Runway 4 Riley will be Friday, April 29 from 7-9 p.m. in Andrews Hall. Students interested in volunteering as models can contact Gabe Mervis. To learn more about the event, to purchase tickets ($10 for general admission or $60 for VIP), or see how to be a pop-up shop or a sponsor of the event, visit https://www.carolinesymmes.