The gala featured cancer patients, survivors, celebrities, and sponsors in a fashion show as well as dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing, and music by Emerald City Band
The Children’s Cancer Fund Annual Gala, themed “An Evening in Oz,” the nonprofit’s 28th annual fundraiser held on April 22, raised over $820,000 for pediatric oncology research and treatment programs, surpassing its $750,000 fundraising goal.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the success of this year’s event,” said Gala Co-Chair Lisa Cooley. “For 27 years, this event has been a luncheon, so it is exciting for a new evening event to succeed. We are very grateful to the hard work of everyone involved and the many donors, sponsors, and attendees whose generosity plays a critical role in our efforts to stop this number one disease-related killer of children in the U.S., which takes over 250 lives worldwide every day.”
Over 900 guests, greeted at the entrance of the Hilton Anatole by the characters of the Wizard of Oz, followed the yellow brick road to a night filled with emotion as over 60 pediatric cancer patients and survivors walked the runway with celebrities and sponsors in their new clothing, donated by Dillard’s. The audience celebrated the children’s successes in their courageous battles with cancer as they reveled in an evening of fun, away from hospitals and treatments. Event Chairmen Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach, along with many other celebrities and sponsors, including Dallas Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett; Cowboys players Brandon Carr, Byron Jones, Morris Claiborne, and Terrance Williams; Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Ashley and Rachel; Cowboys Mascot Rowdy; child actor Sunny Malouf; media personalities Jane McGarry and Amy Vanderoef; the Pink Heals Firefighters; Miss Texas America 2015 Shannon Sanderford; The Bachelor’s Jake Pavelka; Dallas Wings WNBA Player Brianna Kiesel; Texas Tech Head Football Coach Kliff Kingsbury; Olympic Medalist Mitch Gaylord; Jocelyn White; Dallas SWAT members; and more.
Gala Co-Chairs Giora Barker and Lisa Cooley kicked off the program with Aikman, who hasbeen involved for 19 years, and Staubach, who has been involved for all 28 years. The longtime event chairmen turned it over to KDFW FOX 4 NewsAnchor Clarice Tinsley, and Scott Murray, Mistress and Master of Ceremonies who introduced the young models and their escorts, sharing a little about each child. Guests enjoyed a dinner of assorted field greens with candied pecans, a julienne of strawberries and blueberries, filet mignon with Texas Cabernet reduction, crème fraiche chive potatoes, broccolini with roasted parmesan tomato, crème brûlée cheesecake topped with caramelized apples, and caramel-raspberry chocolate mousse wrapped in a chocolate cup. Following dinner, the fashion show, and auctions, guests hit the dance floor to the sounds of the appropriately themed Emerald City Band.
This year, raffle tickets were sold for a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4x4 donated by the Clay Cooley Automotive Group and tricked out by NTX Auto Masters, Kit Courrege, and Epic 4x4 Offroad.
Proceeds from the Gala go to Children’s Cancer Fund to support pediatric cancer research and treatment programs at Children's Medical Center. Since 1982, Children’s Cancer Fund has donated more than $7 million to the childhood cancer cause. The Children’s Cancer Fund spring event is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser for pediatric cancer.
Contact Children’s Cancer Fund at 972-664-1450 or visit www.ChildrensCancerFund.com .
Children’s Cancer Fund was founded 33 years ago by a coalition of parents whose children were receiving cancer therapy at Children’s Medical Center. The organizers have since been joined by community leaders, dedicated volunteers, and health professionals in their fundraising efforts. CCF is one of the nation’s leading fundraising groups in supporting local research toward treatment and prevention of childhood cancers.
“In addition to raising awareness and funds for children’s cancer research, this event serves as a positive social-psychological experience for children undergoing cancer treatment,” added Giora Barker, Gala Co-Chair. “As the mother of a cancer survivor, I understand the importance of this type of experience for the children. Each year, this event brings children living with cancer together for an unforgettable, embracing, and heartwarming experience.”