Posted on Thu, Dec. 20, 2007
Fashion for a good cause: stem cells
BY DEBRA K. LEIBOWITZ
The Sabrina Cohen Foundation hosted a cocktail reception and fashion show Unlock the Cells: An Evening of Cocktails & Couture to raise funds and awareness for stem-cell research. More than 350 people attended the event that was held at The Palms South Beach on Nov. 29. Cohen, who turned 30 this week, has refused to let her disability slow her down. She graduated from the University of Miami in 1999 with degree in communications and holds a degree in copy writing from Miami Ad School. In 2005, she launched her own website, www.freethestemcells.com and a line of T-shirts dedicated to promoting stem-cell research. In 2006, Cohen founded her Beach-based nonprofit, The Sabrina Cohen Foundation for Stem Cell Research, to educate the public about stem-cell research and help fund top U.S. scientists in transforming research into medical breakthroughs. Cocktails & Couture featured a fashion show of UNIV jeans, as well as Cohen's newly expanded line of ''Free the Cells'' T-shirts modeled by Miami Beach firefighters, including Steve Phillips, the firefighter who rescued Cohen the night of her car accident. |
Louis Aguirre, Sabrina Cohen and Steve Phillips |
Phillips contacted Cohen a few years ago after reading an article about her in The Miami Herald and the two have since become
friends.
Emcee for the evening was Deco Drive's Louis Aguirre. Entertainment included DJ Irie and performances by Casely and
recording artists Three Graces.
Cohen says the event netted about $5,000 for the Foundation.
As for the recent news about scientists' ability to create stem cells from skin cells, Cohen says it's a fascinating discovery.
''I am encouraged because it gives credibility to the research and the cause,'' she said.
``At the same time, however, I think it's very important to note that all different types of stem-cell research should still be explored
until more breakthroughs are discovered, proving what type of research will yield the best results.''
To learn more about The Sabrina Cohen Foundation, visit www.sabrinacohenfoundation.org.
