5 Breast Cancer Survivors Make Drag Debut for Atlanta Charity

Five breast cancer survivors stepped into the spotlight at Lips Atlanta this October, transforming into drag performers for one unforgettable night that raised funds and awareness for those fighting the disease.

The Pretty in Pink Gala on October 6 paired each survivor with a professional drag queen for a complete makeover and performance. Giselle, Paris, Leona, Kee Kee, and Fairon took the stage to perform numbers about empowerment and survival while guests enjoyed dinner, drinks, and drag.

The survivors ranged from those cancer-free for over a decade to women still actively fighting less than a year from diagnosis. But they shared a common mission: encouraging others to listen to their bodies and advocate for themselves.

"I don't look like what I've been through, and I'm thankful for that every day," Leona told the crowd. "I am what it looks like to live beyond the diagnosis."

Paris, a 13-year survivor, shared a powerful lesson from her journey. She was initially misdiagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent unnecessary surgery to remove her ovaries and tubes before doctors discovered she actually had breast cancer.

"Had I gotten a second opinion, I might have saved myself from an unnecessary surgery," Paris said. "Know your body, advocate for yourself. If you don't get the answers that you feel are correct, get another doctor."

The event benefited EmpowHER and HIM Breast Cancer Foundation, an Atlanta-based organization that advocates for awareness among both men and women. Founder Daphne Myers created the foundation after noticing men standing beside the women in their lives fighting the disease.

"I saw our men standing behind the women, and I said, 'This is something that we share. We both share this ugly disease,'" Myers explained.

Why This Inspires

This gala represents something deeper than fundraising. By combining the bold art of drag with vulnerable stories of survival, these five women created a space where strength meets celebration. Their willingness to share difficult truths about misdiagnosis and ongoing treatment while literally stepping into new personas sends a powerful message: cancer may change you, but it doesn't define you.

The event also breaks down barriers in breast cancer awareness, reminding audiences that the disease affects people across all genders and communities. When survivors advocate for second opinions and listening to your body, they're potentially saving lives in the audience.

Five survivors turned performers proved that healing can look like sequins, courage, and a microphone.