Womanless beauty pageant to help fight cystic fibrosis

Published 9:00 am Thursday, March 14, 2024

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Suffolk’s men will be strutting the catwalk to help fight back against cystic fibrosis as part of the 3rd annual Womanless Beauty Pageant/Comedy Show. Hosted by the Martina Natoli Lagman Foundation, pageant contestants will participate in talent, evening, and sportswear competitions to win the title of Ms. Cystic Fibrosis Queen 2024. Sponsored by TowneBank, Pride Mechanical, Tidewater Block, and more, the show will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at The Hub 757, located at 6801 Bridgeway Dr. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Tina Natoli, Natoli Lagman’s mother and Co-Founder of the foundation, described the men taking part in the show as “heroes” to help with the cause.

“They’re amazing, they’re giving, they have the biggest hearts in the world,” Natoli said.

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With this year’s theme based on the late Queen of Rock ‘N’ Roll Tina Turner, Natoli says that attendees can expect music from the icon and a “perfect date night” and “girls’ night out” for Suffolk residents. The show will include a cash bar, silent auction, souvenir shop, and more. Tickets will be $50, with VIP dinner tables of nine being $500.00, and all proceeds will benefit the Martina Natoli Lagman Foundation to raise funds for a cure and help those affected by the disease, with the previous two years raising $11,000.

Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that causes damage to one’s lungs, digestive system, and other organs. Likewise, the disease causes mucus and sweat that becomes sticky, plugging tubes, ducts and passageways, including the lungs and pancreas. In honor of Martina Natoli Lagman, who passed away from cystic fibrosis one month after her 30th birthday, the foundation hopes to keep her memory alive while bringing awareness to the disease and helping others suffering from it. Natoli expressed the importance of taking something tragic and painful and turning it into something positive. 

“I think sometimes when your heart hurts and you feel like you’re empty and you’re missing something, if you reach deep inside and help others that can relate, [it] can bring joy to your heart, joy to your life, meaning to your life when you’re just not sure of where to go or what to do,” Natoli said. 

For more information, go to facebook.com/martinanatolilagmanfoundation.