By Benjamin Rothstein

DOVER — Espionage was in the air March 2 during the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s “Bond for Breast Cancer” Gala — a party themed after the infamous MI6 spy character.

Decorations featuring dice and cards were everywhere at the Bally’s Dover event, reminiscent of “Casino Royale,” the initial James Bond book and the first film in which Daniel Craig played the part.

But the real stars of the show were the models on display during the Survivor Showcase, a fashion show featuring breast cancer patients sharing their stories of battling the illness.

Stephanie Cumella of Clayton was one of those and now works for the coalition.

“I was diagnosed at 32. So, that was kind of a shocker. At first, it was kind of misdiagnosed, and then, I advocated for myself to get a mammogram, which was kind of important for me, and thankfully, I did because I’m here today because of that,” she said.

Being a part of the show was important for Ms. Cumella, as it shined a different light on what it means to be diagnosed.

“I think the greatest part about it is just showing that there is a different side of breast cancer. So, usually, you get diagnosed, (and) you think, ‘I’m dying,’ ‘I’m not gonna see my kids graduate,’ ‘I’m not going to see grandkids,’ ‘I’m not going to see a lot of things in life, as a mom, you really want to see.’ So, knowing that there is another end of breast cancer — it’s fun and nerve-wracking at the same time, but it’s fun.”

Ms. Cumella had advice for others going through a similar situation.

“I think it’s OK to feel how you feel. I think, a lot of times, people want you to feel strong. They want you to feel free. They want you to feel all these emotions,” she said. “And, when you’re going through it, you go through a lot of emotions, and it’s OK to feel that way and not feel like you have to be strong, you have to be brave, you have to be proud. You can just be you and just get through it.”

The song Ms. Cumella walked to was Madonna’s “Die Another Day,” the theme for the Pierce Brosnan Bond film of the same name.

“It wasn’t my time. I’m going to be dying another day. I beat it. It did not get me. I’m a survivor, and I will die another day,” she said.

Also part of the showcase was Abel Villagran of Dover, a male breast cancer survivor who completed his last round of chemo days before the gala.

“The funny thing is that, three years ago, I didn’t know that men could have breast cancer. So, that was a big surprise for me,” he said.

Mr. Villagran added that he learned males could be diagnosed with breast cancer from his wife, Mary Villagran. But he never imagined he would get the illness.

“I talk about it with people that I know, men. And can tell you that 80% of the people I told — I’m talking about, like, 40 (men) — they didn’t know that we can have (breast) cancer.”

It’s that kind of education the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition has spent over three decades providing, along with access to mammograms and peer mentoring for patients by those who have endured the disease.

“If you know anything about the statistics of breast cancer, it affects 1 in every 8 women in her lifetime,” said Francesca Vogel, the coalition’s CEO.

“So, the likelihood of knowing or being in a family or having a colleague who (is) someone who is impacted by breast cancer is very likely, and it touches us all to some degree.

“Today, we have a special opportunity to bring together people in the community businesses, sponsors who want to support the mission, survivors themselves, their caregivers, many of the support medical networks that we work with and partner with, all under one roof to really celebrate survivorship and to do more for our mission, so that we can continue on for decades to come.”

The fundraiser featured food, drinks and silent and live auctions to aid the coalition’s programming across the state.