Before learning about the cancer, the 68-year-old U.S. beauty fell ill after walking the runway for Tommy Hilfiger during Paris Fashion Week last month.
- April 3, 2019
AceShowbiz - Legendary supermodel Pat Cleveland has been diagnosed with colon cancer.
The 68-year-old U.S. beauty fell ill after walking the runway for Tommy Hilfiger during Paris Fashion Week last month, and was rushed to a hospital in France. Then, on 23 March, Pat was told by doctors that she was suffering from colon cancer.
The diagnosis was revealed by Pat's family on a GoFundMe page set up by her husband Paul Van Ravenstein in a bid to raise money to cover her medical expenses.
"Pat has no health insurance, she only has Medicare, which won't cover anything outside of the country. We didn't even think about it because Pat has been so healthy," he told the New York Post's gossip column Page Six about his decision to start a fundraising campaign.
"We had no option but to set up a GoFundMe; we have been so grateful for everyone's support, she’s worked with so many people over her career".
Since launching the GoFundMe page on 31 March, $51,202 (£39,183) has been raised - with stars including designers Zac Posen and Kimora Lee Simmons among those donating.
Following the initial diagnosis of colon cancer, Pat underwent a two-and-a-half-hour operation to remove the cancerous tumour blocking her colon, and now has to remain in Paris until doctors clear her to travel back to the U.S.
"She has been slowly improving over the last week, so it's a process. It's a long process," Paul added to WWD of his wife's condition. "They think they will release her from the hospital on April 8. But I don't know if they will let her fly right away.
"I am planning to stay with her in Paris through the end of the month to give her rest and strengthen her before flying back to America where she will have to do all the follow-up treatments."
