Ill Gilbert woman making it in fashion world to be featured in documentary
Jan 4, 2018, 4:40 AM
PHOENIX — A Gilbert woman who is on her way to becoming a fashion designer despite her ongoing battle with a severe illness is the focus of a documentary that will premiere Thursday in Tempe.
And 20-year-old McKindree Patton will have a very special guest to hang out with: Lindsey Stirling, the Arizona-raised electric violinist who just so happened to grow up right across the street.
The group behind the documentary, the Melodic Caring Project, said it will be shown at the Pollock Cinemas near McClintock and Elliot roads in Tempe. The event has sold out.
Patton had dreamed of becoming a competitive gymnast, but those were cast aside when she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone marrow failure related to acute myeloid leukemia when she was 12.
Despite being in and out of the hospital for the past eight years and being dependent on blood and other transfusions to live, Patton has become a talented fashion designer.
A charity connected her with Kate Spade, who surprised Patton with a line of clothes based on her designs during a trip to New York City.
The Melodic Caring Project streams concerts from some of the biggest names in music to children who are in the hospital to take their minds of their illness. They read out names of some of the children, which makes them feel connected and important.
“These stars are shouting your name out,” Patton said. “It feels like they know you and are cheering you on and cheering for you to do your best in this journey that is really hard.”
Since meeting Patton, Stirling has gotten involved with the Melodic Caring Project and recently streamed one of her Christmas concerts for sick children at a Seattle hospital.
