Patricia A. DiNunzio for a 2012 calendar photoshoot, “Be your own Advocate,” for women battling ovarian cancer. Credit: Courtesy of Anamarie DiNunzio-Rayburn.
In November 2008, Patricia DiNunzio was relieved when doctors told her the cyst on her ovary was benign. Four years later, she would lose her battle with ovarian cancer.
Prior to her death in 2012, DiNunzio’s diagnosis inspired her to encourage women to become their own health advocates. She shared that message through Runway to Awareness, a fashion show she founded in 2010, according to the website, to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and support women in their battles against it.
The 16th annual Runway to Awareness fashion show will be held Thursday from 6 – 9 p.m. at The Fives event venue — located at 550 Reach Blvd.
Connie Leal, owner of Leál and the designer for the Runway to Awareness fashion show, said she became friends with DiNunzio, as she was a longtime customer of Leál. About 10 years into their friendship, DiNunzio was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Leal said, and she decided she wanted to help other women be more aware of the early signs of the disease to advocate for themselves.
Leal said the two decided to create a fashion show together to raise awareness and share information with women who were in similar situations.
Inspired by DiNunzio’s love for the brand, Leál provides clothing that is worn for the fashion show, said Anamarie DiNunzio-Rayburn, DiNunzio’s sister. DiNunzio-Rayburn said the show’s models are physicians who care for cancer patients and ovarian cancer survivors.
According to Leal, at the fashion show, each model wears three different outfits. The first is typically casual, the second is either a career or vacation look and the third is a black-tie outfit.
The clothing seen on-stage is chosen purposefully, to reflect each model’s personality, Leal said. During their fittings, the models browse the store and pick out pieces they are naturally drawn to, which are then worn on stage. Leál’s personal stylists help the models put their outfits together, taking time to help them each feel special and glamorous.
“We don’t let them model [the] plain and ordinary,” Leal said.
The most rewarding part of the event, Leal said, is seeing the models experience a night where they can focus on feeling confident rather than on their cancer diagnosis.
While the event is centered around fashion, organizers also use the night to educate attendees on ovarian cancer. Information about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are placed on every table for attendees to take home, DiNunzio-Rayburn said.
Ovarian cancer has limited screening tools and can be difficult to detect early, DiNunzio-Rayburn said, as many patients are diagnosed at stage three or four.
The goal of the fashion show is to empower women to recognize potential warning signs and symptoms, work closely with their physicians and advocate for themselves, DiNunzio-Rayburn said.
John DiNunzio, Matt Barnes, Anamarie DiNunzio-Rayburn and Beverly DiNunzio supporting the Patricia A. DiNunzio ovarian cancer fund at the 2025 Runway to Awareness fashion show. Credit: Anna DiNunzio-Rayburn
DiNunzio-Rayburn started a nursing scholarship program with the money raised from the fashion show, she said, that each year, awards $3,000 to help an Ohio nurse pursue an advanced degree. However, this year, two participants will receive the scholarship, as both applicants were highly qualified.
“I wanted to provide an opportunity for those caregivers that are so dedicated to cancer patients to be able to go back and get that advanced degree,” said DiNunzio-Rayburn.
DiNunzio-Rayburn said she gave $10,000 of the funds raised from ticket sales, donations and auctioned items to The James Gynecologic Oncology at Mill Run in 2025, and the money was used to purchase thermally regulated chemo chairs for the hospital’s chemotherapy center.
The other half of the funds raised supports Ohio Health’s loss and grieving programs, including Stepping Stones, a children’s grief program, DiNunzio-Rayburn said.
A silent auction is also available online through the website, allowing those interested to bid without attending the event. More than 65 items have been contributed to the auction by organizations such as the Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. DiNunzio-Rayburn said the event continues to remember people who have been affected by ovarian cancer.
In 2026, two longtime supporters of Runway to Awareness, Katie Kline and Sandy Byers, lost their battle to ovarian cancer.
Kline had established her own ovarian cancer fund at Ohio State, while Byers would purchase a table each year so nurses from The James Gynecologic Oncology at Mill Run could attend the event and be part of the celebration, DiNunzio-Rayburn said.
Leal said this year’s show will feature fall fashion, including velvet, silk and brown tones, along with more glamorous pieces featuring ostrich feathers, sequins and other embellishments. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Leal said the event always comes back to remembering and commemorating the women behind the fashion show.
“I’m excited that, after [DiNunzio] being gone for more than 10 years, it still features her dream and represents the friendship that we had,” Leal said. “That part is not diminished even after all these years.”
The event, Leal said, is not meant to be a sad occasion.
“With each year, we can maybe prevent one woman from getting diagnosed too late,” Leal said. “We’ve never lost the point of why we’re doing this.”
Tickets to the Runway to Awareness fashion show are available online through the show’s website, and will be sold at the door for $125.
