When Glamour Meets Generosity: Runway for Research
On a Friday morning in October at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall in Arizona, nearly 150 pink-clad women from the area excitedly sip champagne and nibble light bites. Professional fashion models strut the runway in front of them, sporting the season’s newest looks from Neiman Marcus.
It’s the 2025 Runway for Research fashion show, an event that answers the question, “What does a fashion runway have to do with biomedical research?” Quite a lot, it turns out.
In addition to being a highlight of the Phoenix fall social season, Runway for Research raises critical funds for the Translational Genomics Research Institute — known as TGen. Part of City of Hope®, TGen works to uncover the genetic drivers behind cancer and advance breakthroughs and treatments to save lives.
At the heart of the fifth annual event are co-chairs Lee Courtney and Amy Hair, whose volunteer leadership brings together the Scottsdale philanthropic community to champion women’s cancer research.
Both women have personal ties to the cause.
Two Volunteers, One Shared Purpose
A Scottsdale native and longtime supporter of TGen, Lee Courtney has attended Runway for Research since the event began in 2020. A luxury real estate agent active in the Valley community, she says she jumped at the opportunity to chair the 2025 event.
“It’s a wonderful way to reach people who may not know about TGen and the incredible work happening here,” says Lee, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago and underwent a double mastectomy.
Lee was also excited to work together with such a committed group. “We have a great group of philanthropists in this community who are moving things forward,” she says.
Amy Hair quickly joined her. A fashion enthusiast, avid traveler and Phoenix resident of 15 years, Amy says she was honored when Lee invited her to co-chair the event.
“It’s a great combination of community, style and philanthropy,” she says. “It was an incredible experience to work with my dear friend Lee and an organization so meaningful and close to my heart.” Amy’s mother is also a breast cancer survivor, and she lost an aunt to the disease.
“Many of us know someone affected,” Amy says. “Events like this help us come together to do something about it.”
Hope on Stage
Together with their committee of 30 volunteers, in partnership with Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale Fashion Square and City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix, Lee and Amy helped raise $169,000 last year. Every dollar supports TGen’s laboratory and clinical research focused on women’s cancers.
“TGen has a unique following here,” says Lee. “The organization started in the 2000s and paved the way for cancer research, especially for women. It’s changing lives worldwide, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
The event also highlighted the community spirit behind the cause. Several local breast cancer survivors and community supporters joined professional models on the runway, creating an emotional and uplifting moment for the audience.
“We collaborated with nationally known fashion show producer Margaret Merritt,” says Lee. “She helped us coordinate the professional models with the community models. It was really inspiring to see familiar faces on the stage.”
The event not only raised dollars for research but also sparked conversations about the importance of screening and early detection. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States throughout their lifetime.
More Than a Fashion Show
For Lee and Amy, the most meaningful part of the event isn’t the fashion or the glamour — it’s the community that makes it possible.
From volunteers organizing details behind the scenes to survivors walking the runway, the morning reflects something larger than a fundraiser. It’s a shared commitment channeling compassion into impact.
Across City of Hope, more than 25,000 volunteers contribute their time, talents and passion to advance research, support patients and strengthen communities. Lee and Amy are two of them.
Thank you, Lee and Amy. And thank you all. At City of Hope, volunteers don’t just support the mission. You are the mission.
Learn more ways you can join us.
National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month. For more than 110 years, volunteers like Lee and Amy have powered City of Hope’s progress. Today, 25,000 volunteers across five regional locations — Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, Chicago and Atlanta — keep hope alive and advance the mission across the nation.