Raising Awareness and Drama

Let’s raise awareness and money for good causes. . .maybe you can forgive us for the fighting we do!

This week’s show along with next week’s, highlights some of the charity work that the ladies of RHONY do. Tonight you saw Ramona’s event for the Domestic Women’s Abuse Center and you get a preview of my upcoming fashion show benefiting the Kellner Pediatric Liver Foundation, as well as a glimpse of Carole prepping for an event of hers that will support a charity in honor of her late husband. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to bring attention to the work we are doing at Kellner Pediatric Liver Foundation and for Organ Donor Awareness with the platform of RHONY. There are so many people out there who need organ transplants and we have a shortage of donors. At Kellner among other initiatives, we raise money to support families who have a child in need of a liver transplant to survive but simply can’t afford it. And thats Yummie stuff.

I invited Aviva and LuAnn to the famous Copacabana Club where I will be hosting this year’s fundraiser for The Kellner Pediatric Liver Foundation. Kellner was founded by Samantha and Andrew Kellner whose son Raphael, like my Jax, suffered from the very rare liver disease, Biliary Atresia. He too needed a transplant to survive. When Samantha learned what I was going through with Jax through a mutual friend, she immediately reached out to me. Although we were complete strangers, she rushed to my side and the bond that was created because of our sick sons is everlasting. Having someone in the room with me who knew exactly what I was feeling and going through every step of the way without even the need to say a word was extremely comforting and it helped me keep the faith that we would get through this with Jax and that he would not only survive, but thrive.

I knew instantly that I wanted to work with Samantha and do whatever I could to help other people in the same situation. So, I got very involved with Kellner as a founding board member to begin to pay it forward. Someone very very important to me once shared with me a quotation from James Adams, an American historian who said, “The greatest use of a life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” This quote resonated with me. It was life changing. And I was so excited about the upcoming event. I wanted to raise tons of money and create a fun and entertaining evening for everyone who came out, bought tickets, donated and supported our cause. You want people to talk about your event and to come back every year with more friends, so we always try to top ourselves at our gala's. This year Sam suggested that I put on a Yummie fashion show. I figured the men would love seeing the beautiful ladies in their lingerie and the women would love the product so that was a Win/Win! I decided to asked Aviva to model in my show because:

1. She lives her life bravely with a disability.
2. She is gorgeous.
3. She add another level of attention to the show and to the charity as an inspiration to others.

I was nervous that she would say no, but was thrilled that she immediately and without any hesitation agreed to do it. YAY!! Now we had to get to work!

I had the opportunity and experience of working with Sean Combs and his fashion brand Sean John for many years where we did some of the most talked about fashion runway shows. I planned to pull from that knowledge to create a total showstopper and I also pulled together an amazing team to help me make the show a huge success. This will not be a boring run of the mill charity fashion exhibition! Not on my watch!

As you all know, I am juggling a lot of different balls right now from Yummie to family but I really needed to focus on making this event the best it can be. We talked about the magic number of $400,000 that it takes to pay for one transplant. With all of my heart, I want us to reach that goal. You will have to see how far we get next week, but in the meantime, you can log onto KellnerLiverFoundation.org to help us!!

Off to Ramona’s lunch and fashion show to benefit the Domestic Women’s Abuse Center. Carole and I are whisked up to the 90th floor to a fabulous apartment with incredible views. Everything is going great. . .I am feeling super nerdy chic in my glasses and black satin skirt suit channeling J. Crew President and Creative Director Jenna Lyons (she's so fab!).

Carole and I are chatting it up and having a blast. I am excited to support such an important cause and see the beautiful dresses the designer put together for it. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aviva’s dad, the infamous George, come in. At this point, I am clueless about the lunch between Aviva and Ramona so when the s--t hits the fan with George I am completely surprised. But Carole to the rescue! Despite the fact that George might have been a bit too aggressive in his defense of Aviva (at Ramona’s party none-the-less), the guy is harmless and he was embarrassed and a little shaken to be asked to leave -- truth be told. So, Carole escorted him out in the most low key way possible as the emotions were flaring throughout the room.

Ramona Takes on Aviva's Dad

What a week! I would love to hear your take on it! Make sure you tune in next week to see the my charity event and Yummie runway show with a special guest performer! It is going to be a great night!

As always, thank you for all of your support and feedback. You make being on the show so rewarding for me. To learn more about me and my shapewear, go to Facebook, YummieLife.com, and HeatherThomson.net. You can also enjoy 10 percent off your next Yummie Tummie order by entering code "Iamheathert10" at check out. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter at @iamHeatherT and please visit donatelife.net to sign up to become an organ and tissue donor.

xx Heather