Louisville, Ky. — Like many of us do around this time of year in the commonwealth, Lindsey Gibson is trying on hats. This year, for her and her family, these hats mean much more than just a fashionable Derby accessory. 

Gibson is helping to follow through on her mom’s passion project — Kim Heath’s Hats for Hope Fashion show. 

Gibson’s mom, Kim Heath, passed away in January after a long battle with metastatic melanoma.  

She wanted to help out and give back to help people who are going through the same thing she was going through.

During her illness, Heath was treated at the University of Louisville’s Brown Cancer Center. 

Before she passed away, Heath teamed up with the center to organize the fashion show to help other cancer patients. 

Her family and friends are making sure that her passion project becomes a reality.

“You know, we always say your pain can be your prisoner or your purpose. And we just made this our purpose. Everyone who loves her and has been involved has just dove into this,” Chris Fulkerson, the fashion show director and Heath’s friend, said. 

Cancer patients and survivors, UoftL Health physicians and Heath’s family and friends will be included in the fashion show. Social Hattitudes, a Derby hatmaker, is matching the hats with the outfits featured at the show. 

“We need to be together as community and support these cancer patients that are on stage, support all cancer patients, honor those that have lost their fight with cancer,” Fulkerson said. 

It seems that Heath’s legacy will continue to flourish beyond this year’s fashion show. 

“I have big plans to take this and do even more and you know kind of take on what my mom had started and make it even bigger,” Gibson said.  

Giving hope to all cancer patients, one hat at a time.

The Kim Heath Hats for Hope Fashion Show takes place March 19 at the Olmstead in Louisville. To learn more about the event check out their website.