Last Thursday nearly 280 guests attended the 3rd Annual Outlive Yourself Awards at Union Station in downtown Dallas. The event was presented by Methodist Dallas Transplant Institute benefiting Taylor’s Gift Foundation. Honorary Chair and Master of Ceremonies Kristi Nelson of NBC 5 entertained guests throughout the evening with a lineup including co-founders Tara and Todd Storch; Joe Winters, husband of Taylor’s heart recipient and Arnetta Wright, an organ transplant recipient who received the gift of life while being treated at Methodist.

The highlight of the event was celebrating the two amazing honorees: Dr. Tiffany Anthony, a transplant surgeon at Baylor Scott & White, and Terri Maxwell, founder and CEO of Share On Purpose.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Maxwell. “Everyone can outlive themselves through organ donation. Taylor’s Gift not only raises awareness of the importance of organ donation, but also provides support to the families who have given the ultimate gift after having lost a loved one.”

Proceeds from the event support the mission of Taylor’s Gift – providing financial assistance to families who have given the gift of life. The organization’s Legacy Gift program was established to provide financial assistance to organ donor families. Assisting with needs such as burial expenses, utilities, rent and more, Taylor’s Gift Foundation works to help those who are facing immediate need.

The Outlive Yourself Awards is an opportunity to celebrate those who have made an extraordinary impact and truly embody the “Outlive Yourself” spirit by giving back to others. The event was launched in 2015 and is a special night that seeks to celebrate the lives and actions of inspiring individuals while also supporting the mission and work of Taylor's Gift Foundation.

2017 event sponsors include:

Presenting - Methodist Dallas Transplant Institute

Platinum - NationStar and Patricia Dedman Family Foundation

Silver - Espinosa de los Reyes Family and Southwest Transplant Alliance

Kickoff Reception - Park Place Dealerships

Bronze - Massage Envy

Friends of Taylor's Gift - The Apple Family, Hartman Terilli and Dana Love

Gift of Life - LifeGift

Awards - Tiffany’s

Wine Pull - Ben E. Keith

Kickoff Beer - Four Corners

PR Partner - TrizCom PR

Hotel Partner - The Lumen

Listed - Wilcox Investment Bankers

2017 host committee members include:

Kathy and Patrick Aulson

Robin and Norm Bagwell

Saryn and Jonathan Dietz

Shaley and Javier Espinosa

Karen and Tobin Hartman

Shelly Slater Huffstutter and Clay Huffstutter

Roanne and James Lasater

Lisa and Frank Marshall

Ryan Sienty

Sandi and Dr. Bill Taylor

Jo Trizila

Carmen and Lance White

Michelle and Kyle Young

Since its inception in 2010, Taylor’s Gift is on a mission to encourage supporters to “Outlive Yourself.” What does it mean to “Outlive Yourself”? It’s a spirit of giving and a mindset of going above and beyond for others and living selflessly. Taylor’s Gift encourages individuals to register as organ donors as one way to Outlive Yourself.

Last year, Americans ate more than 4.5 billion tacos according to www.nationaltacoday.com. Contributing to that number is the swath of North Texans who have indulged in Soulman’s newest variation in the taco trend, the brisket taco. National Taco Day is Oct. 4. What better way to celebrate than with a visit to Soulman’s?

“Even though we have been in business for more than 42 years, this is the first year we are celebrating National Taco Day with our newest menu addition,” said Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que. “After introducing brisket tacos last month, the feedback has been spectacular. It’s another way that we are staying innovative in the kitchen as our company grows.”

The website www.nationaltoday.com/us/ describes tacos as a culinary fiesta – owing to a variety of savory fillings. In Texas, people love brisket.

Soulman’s brisket taco is made with tender, smoked beef brisket; fire-roasted salsa; and flour tortillas. Priced at just $9.99 for a combination with two 4-ounce sides, this tasty taco is available at all 17 Soulman’s locations for a limited time. Additional solo tacos are available for $3.49 each.

In addition to the roll-out of this limited time offer, Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has been leading the charge with continued innovation in the kitchen with several unique twists on classic barbecue dishes, such as the Soul Bowl, named a “must-try” barbeque dish in Dallas by ZAGAT, and Frontier Fries, the dish that Men’s Journal called “one of the most inventive french fries in America.” Soulman’s has expanded its regional franchising initiative and launched a national mail order program where guests and fans of Soulman’s can have signature meals delivered to their front doors.

HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division and Solis Mammography, a specialized provider of mammography and imaging services, have entered into a joint venture agreement to make breast health diagnostic services more accessible and convenient across the greater Houston region. The collaboration will result in 16 local sites by the end of 2018, including the Oct. 2 grand opening of a new dedicated breast health center at HCA-affiliated The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.

The collaboration builds on the success of a three-year partnership between Medical City Healthcare (HCA’s North Texas Division) and Solis Mammography at more than a dozen centers in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

“Understanding the critical importance of preventative screening to overall breast health, we know early detection through high-quality screening is key. We also know that offering easy access, convenient locations, and patient-centric services makes it easier for women to get the preventative care that offers the best possible options for treatment, minimizing the stress, cost, and risks that come with later stage diagnosis,” said Dr. Stephen Nesbit, HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division chief medical officer.

The partnership kicks off with three existing locations located in Northwest Houston, Katy and Sugar Land and the opening of the new center in the newly refurbished One Fannin Center located next to The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 7400 Fannin St., Ste. 100. The new space offers more than 6,000 square feet of breast screening and diagnostic 3-D mammography computer-aided detection, breast ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound-guided biopsy, breast MRI, and bone density scanning – all in an environment uniquely designed to promote patient relaxation and peace of mind. Solis Mammography’s research-based brand promise is centered on comfort, convenience, and ease, so that women are more likely to prioritize scheduling annual screening mammography to promote and preserve breast health.

“Solis Mammography and HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division share a common goal to provide high-quality, patient-focused care to the women in the greater Houston area,” said Troy Villarreal, HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division CEO. “Together, we will bring a heightened breast health focus to the communities we serve as well as peace of mind that comes from having an exceptional experience.”

Providing radiologist coverage for the centers in the region will be Woman’s Radiology Associates and Rose Imaging Specialists, both under the direction of Solis Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Rose. “I am excited to extend our commitment to clinical excellence in 3D mammography to more women and more locations across the Houston region,” said Rose. “From my own practice, I’ve seen dramatic improvement in early detection and reduced recalls from 3D – providing greater patient care for the women we serve.”

In total, Solis Mammography serves more than 600,000 patients each year. Their patient-centric commitment begins the moment a woman decides to schedule her appointment, and continues through her in-center experience, results, and billing. At every step, dedication to the patient experience is treated with the same respect and priority as clinical accuracy.

Through the new partnership, Houston-area women will have greater access to upgraded technology, research-based clinical protocols, convenient locations, and an enhanced center experience, including:

• Seamless continuum of care through The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division facilities, if treatment is needed beyond screening and diagnostic imaging;
• Exceptional clinical accuracy that comes from a dedicated focus on breast specialization (a practice shown to dramatically increase the accuracy of a mammogram);
• The most advanced technology available, including 3-D mammography (also known as digital breast tomosynthesis), scheduling software, and data management;
• Warm and welcoming breast imaging centers with decor, music, artwork and aesthetics designed for today’s female consumer; easier ability to book appointments through real-time, 24/7 access to online scheduling;
• Improved patient conveniences, like ease of center access, convenient locations, free parking, valet parking, tablet registration, complimentary Wi-Fi, and quick turnaround time in the center – typically less than 30 to 40 minutes; fast, exceptionally accurate results by email within 24-48 hours of the visit.

“Solis Mammography began in Texas over 30 years ago, and we’re excited to expand our partnership with HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division. Our mission is to provide an exceptional experience with exceptionally accurate results,” said James Polfreman, CEO and president of Solis Mammography. “Through this quality-focused, patient-centric collaboration, we’ll bring unparalleled, breast-dedicated care to local communities across the greater Houston area.”

For the second year in a row, Solis Mammography – the nation’s largest independent provider of breast imaging services – will join Dallas’ LGBT+ community as a sponsor of the 34th annual Alan J. Ross Texas Freedom Parade to support, educate and empower Dallas’ LGBT+ identified women in their freedom to make informed decisions regarding breast health. The parade takes place Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m.

Solis Mammography team members will ride on a custom-made float appropriately themed, “Treating ‘The Girls’ Equally Since 1986!”

According to the American Cancer Society, the LGBT+ community of women has higher rates of breast cancer than heterosexual women. Cancer rates tend to be higher in women who haven’t had children, haven’t breastfed, haven’t used oral contraceptives or who are older when they first give birth. Medical research clearly shows that annual mammograms for women between the ages of 40 and 64 are key, and that the earlier a woman and her physician discover a breast health issue, the better her treatment options are (potentially minimizing or eliminating the more invasive treatments). However, because LGBT+ women have been observed to receive less routine healthcare than other women, including mammograms, the risk for them becomes higher.

According to the American Cancer Society, some of the reasons for the fewer number of checkups with LGBT+ women include:

• Lower rates of health insurance: Many policies still do not cover unmarried partners, which makes it harder for many individuals in this community to get quality healthcare. (Note: Many screening facilities like Solis Mammography have a value screening program designed to give women without insurance an opportunity to get their annual screening mammogram at a reduced fee.)
• Discrimination or fear of discrimination: Many women are afraid to tell their doctors about their sexual orientation because they’re afraid it will affect their quality of care. This can make it more difficult to develop a comfortable relationship with a health care provider.
• Negative experiences: Having negative experiences with doctors or other health care providers can result in some women either putting off routine checkups (like mammograms) or even skipping them altogether. Missing these tests, and the opportunity for early detection, may make it harder to treat and defeat the disease. (Solis’ warm and welcoming approach has reinvented the traditional mammogram experience, with a compassionate, patient-focused approach to mammography.)

“No woman really wants to get a mammogram; what women want is to know that they are healthy,” says James Polfreman, president and CEO of Solis Mammography. “However, annual mammograms offer women peace of mind, either by knowing they are all clear for another year or by finding any concerns at the earliest stage to offer the best treatment options possible. At Solis, we believe that every woman deserves equal access to the best breast health care available.”

Join Solis Mammography at the 34th annual Alan J. Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Sunday, Sept. 17. The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. at the corner of Wycliff Avenue and Cedar Springs, continues on Turtle Creek Boulevard and finishes on Fairmont Street. For more information about this free event, please visit http://dallaspride.org/alan-ross-texas-freedom-parade/.

Hundreds of pets have been displaced following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall northeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday, Aug. 26, as a Category 4 hurricane. To help as many animals as possible, Operation Kindness is offering their support in conjunction with the SPCA of Texas and The Humane Society of the United States. The main goal is to prevent overcrowding in affected shelters, as well as collecting food for the Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry at their main location at 3201 Earhart Lane, Carrollton. 

“We have teamed up with the SPCA of Texas and The Humane Society of the United States to help ensure that pets displaced by Hurricane Harvey will have space in local shelters to become reunited with their families,” said Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness. “Our aim is to initiate our network of foster families to help relieve overcrowding in the affected shelters and to help find forever homes for the animals that are currently available for adoption.”

Animal shelters in disaster-affected communities are seeking the help of North Texan neighbors in safe zones across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to provide shelter for adoptable pets coming from shelters in the affected areas-- specifically to make room for the influx of pets displaced by the storms and during evacuations. To help with this matter, Operation Kindness is mobilizing its network of trained foster volunteers to take in pets for two-to-four weeks, enabling them to relax and recover from trauma in a loving foster home. Each animal brought to the no-kill animal shelter will receive a medical exam and behavioral evaluation before it is paired with a foster family. Animals that have a clean bill of health and are prepared for adoption will be available immediately.

The Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry is collecting donations of pet food and kitty litter which they will provide to people who evacuated from Southeast Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and have their pets remaining with them. Current needs include:

•        Dry and Canned Dog Food

•        Dry and Canned Cat Food

•        Puppy Food

•        Kitten Food

•        Puppy and Kitten Formula

•        ID Wet

•        KD Wet

•        Cat litter

Citizens can drop off donations at Operation Kindness, located at 3201 Earhart, Carrollton, TX 75006.

For more information and to help Operation Kindness provide relief, please visit www.operationkindness.org.