You Night Events

Helping women embrace life beyond cancer. Empower One. Impact Many. You Night is a program that addresses the emotional needs of women who have had cancer. We offer a unique alternative to cancer support groups, through goal-oriented, team building activities, resulting in a powerful sisterhood of support. ?

Experiencing cancer is an emotional journey that often leaves patients unsure of their next step. While survivors deeply wish to regain their vitality and move on once treatment is over, the transition often proves to be rather difficult. The philosophy behind You Night Programming is to help women embrace where they are post cancer while creating experiences that help them feel whole again. Women often enter the program not realizing the full impact of what they are about to experience. But as they share and listen to the stories of other survivors, their hearts begin to open and to heal. Powerful connections unfold as classes of 24 participants meet to work as a team, practicing together to eventually walk the runway stage in front of friends, family members and health care providers. By setting goals that create life skills that the participants can take with them after the program is over, this unique approach to emotional cancer support creates a sense of positive anticipation that is unparalleled in the life of a cancer patient.

You Night Runway Show and Celebration is a six-month program of empowerment training for cancer survivors culminating in an emotionally riveting, high energy fashion show. The program prepares women for life after cancer by re-building self esteem, appreciation for their own bodies, and a joy for living all through structured experiences that prepare them to walk a fashion runway. The event, which spotlights the survivors, is open to the public and attended by friends, family members, compassionate community members and caregivers. Classes are limited to 24 participants at a time and are held annually in New Orleans (in July) and St. Tammany (in October). The program prepares women for life after cancer by re-building self esteem, appreciation for their own bodies, and a joy for living - all through structured experiences that prepare them to walk a fashion runway. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony that is a celebration of life -- a fashion show spot-lighting the survivors and attended by their friends, families and, importantly, their caregivers.

ScART (Scar-Art ) fuses psycho social care, a sisterhood of survivors, and the power of acceptance in a supportive environment. ScART is a partnership between You Night Events and Painting with a Twist. ScART gives participants the opportunity to talk openly about scars, which can often feel taboo. Cancer survivors sketch their scars, which are then transferred to canvas by Painting with a Twist studio artists. At the ScART event, participants meet with other survivors to free-form their individual pieces of art to reflect the attitude they have about their scars. Women learn to find acceptance of their scars, while also seeing that their scars can be seen as beautiful or that they can be seen through a different lens. ScART is open to all female cancer survivors. A portion of the proceeds benefit You Night Empowering Events, helping women embrace life beyond cancer.

The You Night sisterhood retreat gives female cancer survivors the opportunity to spend time together in a peaceful, relaxed setting where relationships can be enriched through shared experiences. The retreat is open to any woman who wants to become part of the You Night cancer survivor support network. You Night retreats focuses on fun and educational team-building activities. The retreat offers an escape from everyday life where participants can rest and find refuge, learn and encourage one another, hug, laugh and develop lifelong friends. The You Night retreat gives the You Night organization the opportunity to partner with community members who hope to educate and inspire, by sharing services and information that are beneficial to the well-being of our participants.

Testimonials

I love being surrounded by people who know what it's like to have cancer.My family was wonderful throughout, but can't possibly understand what it's like.These ladies do!!
My absolute favorite moment was the first time I walked out and saw my family.Their faces were lit up and incredibly happy.They were on their feet cheering every time I entered the stage.That alone made it worth it! I love that I now have a sisterhood with these ladies. We have all shared a very unique and special bond. Cancer,as horrible as it has been,has made us stronger as a family. It has bonded us. I love that my husband has his sassy wife back! ~Elaine S.

You Night was an extremely positive experience for me.After a year of holding my head high to be the "tough survivor", it gave me a chance to emotionally let it all out with people who truly understood and had "been there,done that"...