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While the Giseles, Naomis, Karolinas and Ambers swaddle themselves in haute couture to prowl the catwalks of the fashion world, the Jans, the Julies and the Ruths of Colorado put on million-dollar smiles – and outfits from Foley’s – to walk proudly before 1,000 guests at the Day of Caring Survivors Fashion Show.

Photo 1: Sue Miller was a professional fashion model when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 35 years ago. She started Day of Caring in 1981. Photo 2: A boutique stocked with items breast cancer patients and survivors can enjoy caught the attention of Ellen Gilbert and Bernard Wesley. Photo 3: Survivor Eileen Pappas, left, and Virginia Murphy did some shopping in the boutique staffed by local vendors. Photo 4: Survivors Bernadette Lucero of Arvada, left, Kelli Haag of Littleton and Elsa Leung of Aurora were among those modeling fashions from Foley’s at the noontime show. Photo 5: Models Angeles Gutierrez of Denver, left, and Robbie McDowall of Aurora. Photo 6: Models Theron Bell of Littleton, left, and Tamiesha Bell of Colorado Springs with emcee Beverly Martinez, community affiars manager at WB2. Photo 7: Day of Caring co-chair Polly Howard, left, has had two bouts with breast cancer — one diagnosed 22 years ago and a second that was discovered 17 years ago. Co-chair Barbara Lipkin is a 14-year survivor. Photo 8: Committee member Kim Field, left, congratulates Lois Hjelmstad, recipient of the 2005 Sue Miller Award. Hjelmstad shares her experience with breast cancer in the 1990 book of poems, Fine Black Lines. Photos Special to The Denver Post/David Zalubowski

Supermodels known in New York, Paris and Milan got their title because they’re photogenic and lithe; Colorado’s supermodels earned their stripes by fighting cancer.

For example: In 2002, Kelli Haag, a manager at Qwest Communications who loves traveling and NASCAR racing, was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in her breasts, lymph nodes, liver and bones. She received hormonal therapy for two years and then started chemotherapy in 2004.

Shortly after her own diagnosis, her soul mate also learned he had cancer, and Kelli served as his primary caregiver until he lost his battle last year.

Jan Gillam, mother of a 22-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son, was 47 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago.

She could feel “suspicious tissue” during a self-exam and requested a biopsy even though nothing had shown up on a mammogram or ultrasound.

She had bilateral mastectomies, followed by radiation, chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery, during which time her husband battled his own cancer. He died two years ago.

Other models were Baby Einstein Co. founder Julie Clark, a one-year survivor who discovered her “extremely aggressive” tumor during a self-exam; Elsa Leung, a clinic manager and three-year survivor; Ruth Terrazas, a seven-month survivor who works in a bakery in Edwards and is the mother of a toddler; Frances Lewis, a retired Kaiser Permanente nurse, who had a mastectomy and radiation following her 1984 diagnosis; and Carol Church, an interior designer and six-year survivor who credits the support of friends and family in getting her through her darkest hours.

Also, Angeles Gutierrez, a 10-year survivor and medical doctor in her native Mexico who now lives in Colorado and leads a Spanish-language breast cancer support group, and Jackie Wesley, whose three children are a semipro football player, a student at Langston University, and a senior at Eaglecrest High. Wesley was 39 when a mammogram revealed cancer a year and a half ago.

Other models were Robbie McDowall, who is active in Reach for Recovery, Sense of Security, Race for the Cure and the Avon Three Day Walk; Bernadette Lucero, a four-year survivor who enjoys beadwork and making jewelry; Theron Bell, a Day of Caring board member who has had several recurrences since his initial diagnosis 29 years ago at age 45; Ann Hession, a six-year survivor who retired from Qwest Communications following 34 years of service to volunteer with Reach to Recovery, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Max Fund Animal Shelter; and Tameisha Bell, who was 29 when she was diagnosed last year. A training specialist and technical writer, Tameisha belongs to Young Empowered Survivors and enjoys bowling and basketball.

The 24th Day of Caring for Breast Cancer Awareness was a day-long celebration of The Art, Passion & Power of Survival and was held at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

In addition to a luncheon and fashion show, guests could take part in seminars conducted by doctors, nurses, physical therapists and counselors, and explore the Community Connection Center.

In it was a boutique, information on breast cancer-related products and services, and an exhibit of art created by about two dozen survivors, including Gail Coors, Ellen Beller, Dianne Groff, Sandy Ogin, Pepita Orren, Lynette Jennings, Linda Hostetter and Dvora Kanegis.

Day of Caring was founded by former fashion model Sue Miller, a 35-year breast cancer survivor. Chairwomen were survivors Polly Howard and Barbara Lipkin; the opening remarks were by Polly Letofsky, whose Global Walk for Breast Cancer spanned 14,000 miles through 22 countries and four continents. Lois Hjelmstad, author of the poetry collection “Fine Black Lines,” received the Sue Miller Award for her work in demystifying breast cancer.

Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-820-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.