Dionne and Graham Warner:
The Warrior and her Wingman
Dear
Friends,
I am very
proud to publish SKY Magazine and share it with our readers. Each quarter, SKY celebrates the amazing people who live in vision and who inspire others to
live in vision too. Like the changing skies of Saskatchewan, the colour of the
SKY word mark changes in each issue to reflect the central theme and message. This issue, the colour of the SKY is lavender, which represents all
cancers.
Dionne Warner,
eight-time cancer survivor, graces the cover of the Summer SKY “Karma Issue”,
so named because Dionne is the essence of ‘doing good things’ in her dedication
to bringing hope to those fighting cancer. I am pleased to share the story of Dionne
and her husband and ‘Wingman’ Graham. I am also honoured to share the stories
of three amazing women, Nicki Bayfield-Ash, Leah Barnard and Jodean Howie in
‘Warriors Under the SKY.
Jodean: Tango Warrior
Nicki: The Patient Nurse
Leah: Miracle Mother
If you haven’t read it yet, please take the time. These stories are written to help raise hope among cancer survivors and their families. The Summer
SKY digital version can be seen at www.myskymag.com
and http://issuu.com/myskymag/docs/summersky_final2014. There are limited hard copies left, so please contact us if interested.
Thank you so
much for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Karma is a selfless act of giving back so that other good things may come. Dionne Warner is the essence of karma. She is dedicated to sharing hope with cancer survivors and their families. Her message: There is life before, during and after cancer.
People call her Warner Warrior D. I have never met a person more vibrant than Dionne Warner. She literally fills a room with her very presence. She is a beacon of hope for cancer survivors and their families, and she is kicking cancer's butt every single day of her life, like a warrior on a mission.
The love story of Dionne Warner, eight time cancer survivor and her undeniably handsome wingman Graham Warner transcends cancer. Theirs is a story about living, loving and sharing hope.
In my journey with this amazing couple, both as a guest in their home and in the community, at the hospital when Dionne was signing books, and through the feedback that I have received from the story, I am taken aback by the wake of healing and hope that is possible when we care enough about each other.
"Every day is a gift. Valentines Day, birthdays, anniversaries celebrations are difficult to make 'special' because we really do feel like every day we share together is so special and a gift." - Dionne and Graham Warner, The Love Story of a Warrior and her Wingman.
While I was writing the issue and talking about it in the community, one person said, "I don't like to talk about cancer. I think the more we talk about it, the more we manifest it." I asked this person if she was speaking from the perspective of having had cancer. She said, "no, have you?" "Not that I know of," I replied.
We are afraid of cancer because it touches each one of us. As Graham said to me, it has no defining path - it just travels, and that is why is it important to live a healthy life.
Despite the education, the fundraising and the social marketing that surrounds the topic of cancer, there is a story that we never hear about.That is the story of the survivor and their experience. Stories are important because knowing the story validates the experience.
During my journey, I talked with many other people who are also cancer survivors, and they each told me that in treatment, there is a lot of support, but once treatment is over, the survivor is on her or his own. Nicki said, "life after cancer creates a new normal. This is my new normal."
I interviewed each of these amazing people - more accurately I asked some questions, and then I just listened. They talked. I cried (or tried not to). Over the days of writing the stories, I dreamt about cancer. It made me aware of the importance of regular check ups. (I have been putting off my own breast exam for two years, and I booked the appointment).
Nicki Bayfield-Ash, A Patient Nurse.
The patient nurse, Nicki Bayfield-Ash, colorectal cancer survivor taught me about how vulnerable we are as people - even those of us who appear strong on the outside.
"Life after cancer is precious. Do not put off your regular screening. Have faith and hope. If the people around you give up, it would be easy to give up. I've got four kids and my husband John who never gave up on me. My friend Dianne who lost her battle to cancer told me, 'you have to fight this.'"
Leah Barnard, A Miracle of Marriage and Motherhood
Leah Barnard survived Ewing's Sarcoma, a childhood cancer that took her leg, but not her spirit. They told her she would never have children, and she has two miracle babies. Leah taught me that 'never' is a word that should be stricken from our language.
"I believe I was given this because I could beat it. It if was given to someone else, they may not be able to. So this was meant to be."
Jodean Howie, Tango Warrior
Jodean has kicked cancer's butt three times - thyroid, cervix and breast. This warrior poet is a true vision of strength, grace and an undeniable passion for living.
"I choose happiness. I don't know that I wouldn't be angry if I didn't have the power to make life humorous. There are moments that are not happy, but they are just moments. Not life. When I wake up in the morning, I put down one foot, then the other, and then I break out in a 'Thank You!' spiral."
Warriors under the sky.
I am so grateful to these warriors who invited me into their life and allowed me to share their story.
With over 31,000 copies of the magazine now distributed, and online I hope that I can help share Dionne, Graham, Nicki, Leah and Jodean's stories.
Thank you.
I would like to thank the businesses and who are also part of SKY Magazine, because without their support, this story would not have been written:
National Crane Services Ltd., Lynear Thinking Strategy and Communications Ltd. (Cover sponsors);
Barbara March-Burwell, RBC Dominion Securities,
Swervin's Indoor Racing Inc.,
Zoes Boutique,
Cuppa T Speciality Teas,
Seed Sustainable Style,
Queen V Fashion House,
Metro Pet Market,
Blush Beauty Bar,
Sara Lindsay Makeup Studio,
KitchenGear,
Untarnished Memories,
BeadPlus,
Serenity Convalescent Care,
Orr Centre,
Children's Wish Foundation
Greg Huszar, Photography
Amber Moon, SKY Magazine Designer
Call to Action.
Please help us by reading the issue here, and sending it on to your friends and family. There is only direction in the sharing hope, and that is up.
Staci Blayone, Dionne Warner
Spring SKY 2014
Photo Credit: Scott Goodhill
On May 24, 2014, I had the pleasure of participating in Just Walk It Off, a fundraiser / fashion show lead by Staci Blayone, owner of Lane Designs. I was very proud to sponsor the event in the Spring Issue to help raise funds and awareness. On that night, $6,150.00 was raised for Cancer research.
Dionne ‘Warrior’ Warner, eight time cancer survivor shared the journey that she and husband Graham Warner have lived. Their book, “Never Leave Your Wingman” tells a story of hope and love.
I was in the back room along with the other models, three of whom are also cancer survivors. As we chatted over wine before the show, Leah, Jodean and Nicki shared their stories. Even though they had not met before that night, they could practically finish each other’s sentences. I was taken aback by their courage and strength. They reminded me of my friends, Bijal and Chantal, who both lost their battles to cancer at a very young age.
I thought of my grandmother who fought valiantly after being diagnosed in her late 70’s and endured radiation and chemotherapy. She lived to be 89, and that was still too early for her incredible light to go out. I gave the eulogy at my grandmother’s funeral, and I remember saying, I can’t imagine the world without her light.
As I was waiting for Dionne to finish speaking, and for the Staci to give us the signal that the fashion show was to begin, I was thinking about Leah, Nicki, Jodean and Dionne, I realized that I had been given a rare gift - an insight into not just cancer, the disease, but into the human experience. I wanted to help others see what I could see in that moment.
As a writer and publisher, I have this amazing tool that can reach thousands of people. Through the stories of people, words have the power to change minds and change behaviour. Words have the power to move us from complacency to caring, from inaction to action.
As soon as the show was over, Dionne and Graham were signing books. I went over and asked Dionne to be my next cover and she said yes.
Dionne and Graham signed my book:
“Dearest Lynn! Let’s keep hope alive, my earth angel friend!! :) Enjoy. Dionne.
“Never say whoa in the middle of a slough!” wrote Graham.
The following Monday, I asked Leah, Nicki and Jodean, and they too agreed. I am honoured beyond words.
Today is National Cancer Survivors’ Day. The Summer SKY is dedicated to the warriors fighting cancer, past, present and future.
My strategic planning / journalist / publisher / fashionista diva brain was on overload this weekend at Saskatchewan Fashion Week, which I was pleased to once again attend in Regina. This is the third year of the event in Regina. Earlier this year, I also attended Vancouver Fashion Week.
Saskatchewan Fashion Week (SFW) is an entrepreneurial venture, brought to life by three entrepreneurs and a team of talented and committed people. Over the past days, it has been described as a show, a party and an experience. It had all the trappings that fashion shows tend to have: designers, models, a runway, lights, cameras snapping, bloggers and writers. The hope is that something on the runway will create a buzz and attract attention.
I love fashion shows for the fashion. I have a soft spot for the designers, as many on the runway are people I have come to know. I am also the mother of a fashion designer now living in Vancouver, so I understand a little more about what it takes to be seen on the runway.
The audience seemed to enjoy and appreciate the event. One woman said, "We need to do more of this. It's so nice to see who our designers are and what they offer." I suggested she visit the designer after the show and shop their lines.
Integration with the retail industry is an important part of the designer's world, since that is ultimately how a designer can one day make a living as a designer. In 2013, SFW hosted 27 designers on the runway. A city-wide Katwalk of more than 20 independent retail destinations and specialty services providers offered a premier shopping experience with exclusive promotions in celebration of SFW.
This year there was no formal Katwalk, per se. Instead nine retailers and 20 designers shared the runway over three nights at Saskatchewan Fashion Week. As a strong advocate of local independent business, I believe every opportunity to remind people about our independent retail is a good thing.
Fashion shows are really job interviews or trade shows on runway. Some say they are about the art of fashion and design. Fashion shows are the place where designers present what we will be wearing in the coming seasons. From the fashion show to the racks of retailers they go, and the circle of life is complete when we buy the designs at our local retailer.
Fashion shows are the designer's opportunity to present their products and vision to potential buyers. It's a big commitment for the designer. Each look that walks the runway represents the heart and soul of its creator. Designers do what they do out of love and vision. But how does love translate to making a living?
Speaking from a business strategy perspective, I couldn't help but think about the level of financial risks the designers had taken to walk the runway and how long it would take for them to see a return on their investment (ROI) in Saskatchewan, and how the rest of the world would find them.
My inner accountant emerges as I start adding the looks on the runway. If one where to quantify the full cost of a collection, including: the designer's time to conceive, create and manage from the outset to the packing up their cars after the show, the hours of time that their supporters / helpers gave to their cause, materials, transportation, entry fees, model fees, food and residual costs and the opportunity to attract fashion buyers, would the business case be there?
My daughter has presented her designs in Regina's 2012 and 2013 shows and Vancouver's show in 2014. I can say from experience that conservatively each designer spends a minimum of $5000 to be seen on the runway for those brief moments.
The runway is part of a broader marketing strategy. Pre and post marketing activities, including film production, look books, website, branding and post production (assuming there are orders) are additional costs to be considered in the equation.
Realizing Return on Investment (ROI) in a timely manner is the key. At some point, the designer needs income to begin the cycle of investment again.
The business of Fashion Design is business that requires a strategy and money. The designer's strategic intent (his or her why) must be clearly defined and understood in the designer’s mind. If the designer's goal is to create a custom design market then the local runway show is a good place to be seen. If the designer's strategic intent is to expand into broader markets and move to mass market production, their runway needs to attract buyers, and their marketing efforts will need to be tailored to the people who can make the connections. Whatever the strategic intent, somehow the runway has to be part of the ROI, unless it is purely entertainment.
Photo: Laurie Larson, Vancouver Fashion Week FW 2014
I was there when she came into this world, and have watched over her from band aids to boyfriends. She was born with an old soul, with a passion for making art with history and integrity and she is going to be famous. On March 20, 2014 in Vancouver, I watched as her soul came to life on the runway.
Sara Armstrong was born and raised in Regina where her life of 21 years was consumed with dance, painting, sculpting and creating art. She graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in May 2010, after which she packed up her brand new sewing machine and her clothes in her Mercedes (which later became mine) to study fashion design at Blanche Macdonald. At that point, she could not sew, but she said, 'I will learn when I get there.' One year later, her design was featured on the cover of Blanche Macdonald's fashion design graduate show, entitled "Colour Couture."
Sara is an artist with a message, which is revealed in the medium. I like to think of Sara as the Marshall McLuhan of her time. Whatever the medium, her creations are arresting, soulful and purposeful.
During her fourth year at University in Regina, she created an eight - foot headless mannequin dressed in depression black skirting and a metal chest plate etched with dates, such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other note worthy moments. The headless woman was placed in a field just outside of Regina. From a distance, it was eerie as she appeared to be looking out onto the cold bleak prairie, her dress blowing in the wind.
This ghost of a past was haunting, yet respectful as she paid heed to the history of the land and its people. When we returned to the field to take her home, there were tire tracks in the mud around her, as passers by had been drawn in to see her, but not disturb her. As we disassembled the statue a small field mouse scurried out from under her skirt where it had taken shelter from the wind. Sara looked at me and smiled, saying "it's nice that the mouse had a warm place for a while."
In Vancouver, Sara dedicated herself to learning the business. While attending school,she worked multiple jobs, volunteered for fashion shows and other events and interned for a local Vancouver designer. What she didn't learn at school, she took in classes and workshops outside of school.
Sara launched her first line, Motel June, an eco-fashion collection. Her second line, Heed the Free was launched at the Blanche Macdonald Fashion Show in 2011, which carried the eco-fashion message as well but with a revolutionary romantic flair. Heed the Free then made its way to Saskatchewan Fashion Week in 2012, standing out as an artistic rendering of eco-fashion worthy of the runway.
In 2013, Sara rebranded, launching her self-named collection Sara Armstrong. This predominantly black collection of men and women creations was less feminine and more androgynous, and less quiet and more defiant as it came to life again on the runway in Regina during Saskatchewan Fashion Week.
In 2014, Sara Armstrong presented her self-named collection on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week. Inspired by the ocean and the story of Moby Dick, the collection possesses a gritty natural quaity, softened by a cream and beige toned colour scheme, layered in dense fabrics and textures that tell the story of the artist's vision and inspiration.
As her mother looking on, I could hear the voice of her old soul speaking to us once again as her designs moved down the runway and away from home where her destiny as an artist is being discovered.
Vets Without Borders will be travelling to
Uganda in May as they further their mission to work for, and with communities
in need to foster the health of animals, people and the environments that
sustain us.
To assist them in this mission, a fundraising event will be held on April 26thfrom 6:30 -9:30 pmat 1637 Victoria Avenue (Metro Pet Market).
Enjoy an evening of African festivities
including food, music and silent auction.
For
tickets please contact Danielle at 306 570-2880 or pinkpoodlegrooming@sasktel.net
.Tickets are also available at Metro Pet Market locations.
Tickets are $25.00 and include an African
inspired beverage and the opportunity to save 20% off Metro Pet Market
purchases of in stock items that evening.
Donations are also being accepted for the
adoption of a goat to be gifted to a deserving family.
For more information or personal interview,
contact Danielle Gauthier Kratz at 570-2880 or at
pinkpoodlegrooming@sasktel.net.
