Carmen Marc ValvoSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Valvo put together a collection to display to department and specialty retailers during the fall market in New York for only a few thousand dollars. His sportswear was an instant hit and was picked up by numerous high-end retailers, but it was his eveningwear, which was his genuine love, that drew buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

With all of the attention on Valvo and his stunning attire, the public assumed that nothing could possibly go wrong for him. Valvo, on the other hand, was unaware that he was fighting colon cancer for his life. In his candid lectures, he discusses his personal battles with the disease as well as his newfound enthusiasm for colorectal cancer awareness.

Valvo first noticed something wasn't quite right during the creation of his autumn collection in 2003. He was in his late forties at the time, just a few years shy of the recommended age for colon cancer screening (50). Valvo, on the other hand, listened to his body and insisted on a colonoscopy, which may have saved his life.

Inside his intestines, they discovered a huge tumor. He promptly and surreptitiously performed surgery to remove the tumor, exposing his condition to just a few important staff, wanting to get rid of this alien invader as soon as possible.

Valvo is currently an Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) Ambassador, having dedicated both his time and money to the organization, which has helped raise millions of dollars for Colon Cancer Research after receiving a life-changing diagnosis. Over the years, he has used his designs to support a variety of organizations, including the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA).

In addition, since partnering with 7th on Sixth in 2004, Valvo has been working with Katie Couric to raise awareness and funding for research into this terrible disease. His efforts on behalf of the charity were recognized at a banquet in New York in March 2006, when he won Katie Couric's first-ever Advocate Award.

The "Be Seen, Be Screened" campaign is a method for Valvo to continue the conversation about colon cancer, lowering its stigma and raising awareness about screening and early diagnosis.

Valvo, who has been cancer-free for over five years, travels the world in search of inspiration for his incredible creations and tells his tale of survival with audiences, providing hope to others who have been affected by cancer.