CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Krista Vallandingham was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer and when she first found out, it was hard to even sleep through the night.

"When I could sleep, I would wake up and immediately remember that it was real,” she said. “There was no going back to sleep.”

But her and her fellow survivors aren't letting the disease dull their sparkle. On Saturday night, they had the opportunity to show the public how strong survivors are.

"I was diagnosed at 45 to live what I hope to be the second half of my life with this new perspective,” she said.

The Charleston Area Medical Center Cancer Center Fashion Show featured both cancer patients and survivors dressed by South Charleston boutiques.

"I was noticing when they were getting ready with hair and make up, they were all joking and laughing executive director Beverly Farmer said. "It kind of gets to be the new normal, what your new normal is, but you can still share your experiences."

The cancer center offers mental health resources to make sure all their patients have someone to lean on during this difficult period in their life.

"For those people who don't feel like they have anyone or feel like they're more isolated and that they can reach out and we can be their support for a while,” CAMC psychologist Sarah Setran said.

According to the National Institute of Health, 30-40% of cancer patients face physiological distress, but the staff at CAMC is making sure their patients have an outlet to focus on those feelings.

"They're really embraced in their body and how to feel good about yourself again in a new skin,” Setran said.

Valladingham has learned through it all to embrace her new journey and let go of life's twists and turns.

“I care a whole lot less about what people think of me or any of those types of things that may have made me a completely anxious nervous wreck before something like this,” she said.