Toronto Women’s Fashion Week hosts WOMENSFASHION4HOPE in support of Easter Seals
Nearly six years ago to the day, Kol passed away.
Born with Trisomy 13, a fatal genetic disorder, Kol required life support and 24-hour care, was fed by g-tube and was unable to walk or talk.
Kol’s father, Jeff Rustia, Executive Director & Founder of TOM* Toronto Men’s Fashion Week and TW Toronto Women’s Fashion Week, started the Kol Hope Foundation for Children to carry forward Kol’s legacy of love, charity and hope. The Foundation is devoted to caring for children living with disabilities.
Today marks the start of TW Toronto Women’s Fashion Week. From October 2 to 7, Toronto will celebrate Canadian fashion, iconic designers and the next generation of emerging talent. Rustia is excited to be able to use this as a platform to advocate for charities that help children who, like Kol, live with disabilities.
Tomorrow, TW will be holding its annual WOMENSFASHION4HOPE. In memory of Kol, who passed away on October 9, 2011, the celebrity charity fashion show’s proceeds will support the Kol Hope Fund at Easter Seals.
Easter Seals Canada’s services and respite care played an important role in Kol’s survival, even providing him with his very first wheelchair. Experiencing first hand the impact that Easter Seals’ work has, Rustia decided to create the Kol Hope Fund at Easter Seals, making it one of the beneficiaries of the Kol Hope Foundation. To date, the Kol Hope Fund at Easter Seals has reached $75,000.
“Jeff has done a remarkable job and has gone to great lengths to support children living with disabilities in Canada,” tells Dave Starrett, President and CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “With his help, we have been able to help numerous children with similar conditions to Kol’s.”
This year, the number of children who will benefit from the Kol Hope Fund will only grow, as Easter Seals Canada will be the sole beneficiary of the WOMENSFASHION4HOPE fashion show.
Purchase your tickets today to help support Easter Seals Canada via the Kol Hope Fund.
