In 1995, Colleen Maloney attended the American Cancer Society Auxiliary’s annual Hope Fashion Show and took home a card with information on self-breast exams.

Later after performing a self-exam at home, she found a lump, which turned out to be malignant.

Celebrating her 14th year as a cancer survivor, Ms. Maloney will be sharing her story with others at this year’s luncheon event Monday at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead.

Stories like Ms. Maloney’s are the reason the organization works so hard to put the event on each year, said event co-chair Lori Landis of Lawrenceville.

“Whether we impact one person or 20 on that day, it’s a beautiful thing,” she said.

The event began 19 years ago by Atlanta fashion designer and breast cancer survivor Kay Unger to support the American Cancer Society. In 1996, it began dedicating all its funds to breast cancer programs. Since its inception, the event has raised $880,000.

“We’d love to hit that $1 million mark [this year],” said Ms. Landis.

The event includes a luncheon, fashion show with styles from Belk and speakers sharing their cancer survival stories.

“It’s always a room full of 600 people so passionate about this they come every year,” said event co-chair and cancer survivor Kimmie Durham of Stone Mountain. “It’s full of energy and passion and a lot of pink, of course.”

In addition to celebrating hope, the co-chairs said the event offers many opportunities for people to donate.

“When people buy a ticket, that’s the first way to support,” said Ms. Landis, noting that at the event guests can buy a limited edition piece of jewelry, a rose to honor a survivor or one of the items in the live and silent auctions.

The goal is to support the plethora of services provided by the American Cancer Society including a program called Look Good Feel Better.

“That’s a program where ladies who lose their eyebrows and hair [due to chemotherapy] can learn how to put on a wig, pencil in eyebrows and make themselves feel beautiful,” said Adrienne Rissley, an income manager for the organization.

Though all the women are involved for different reasons, they are all driven by the desire to end the suffering of cancer by finding a cure.

“The ladies auxiliary is a phenomenal group of women,” said Ms. Landis.

“The energy and passion the group has is what pulls off all the events we put together.”

If you go

o What: 19th annual Hope Fashion Show

o Benefits: American Cancer Society Auxiliary of the Atlantic

o When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday

o Where: Ritz-Carlton, 3434 Peachtree Road NE, Buckhead

o Tickets: $100

o Information: (770) 814-0123 or visit www.hopefashionshow.org.