Actress and breast cancer survivor Jill Eikenberry and her husband, actor Michael Tucker, will be the featured speakers at the 11th annual Baylor Health Care System Foundation Celebrating Women luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 11:45 a.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The event, presented by Tom Thumb, benefits the fight against breast cancer throughout Baylor Health Care System.
"Baylor is taking a leading role in fighting breast cancer, and the Celebrating Women luncheon is an important tool," says Rowland K. Robinson, president of Baylor Health Care System Foundation. "We hope that hearing Jill's story will persuade many others to become engaged in this effort and help protect the women they know and love – as well as the millions they don't – who are affected by this disease."
Since its inception, Celebration Women has raised more than $11 million. Last year, the event funded a $1 million chair in breast cancer clinical research in addition to other initiatives.
Christie Carter and Cindy Carter will chair the event, and Peggy and Carl Sewell have been named honorary chairmen. Lisa Longino, Marta Engram and Pam Perella are this year's underwriting chairmen.
Former Foundation chairman of the board Leonard Riggs Jr. and his wife, Peggy, will be honored with the Circle of Care Award, as will The Discovery Foundation, which has long supported women's health initiatives at Baylor Health Care System. The awards are given to those who have served as advocates, volunteers, educators or donors and have made a difference in the campaign against breast cancer.
Eikenberry and Tucker, best known for their roles as Ann Kelsey and Stuart Markowitz in the hit series "L.A. Law," will speak about their 37-year marriage and about how Jill's breast cancer changed – and eventually enriched – their lives.
Jill's breast cancer crisis began in 1986, just before she moved to Los Angeles to begin shooting the show. Her doctor advised her to have a mastectomy.
"That's what he did the most frequently, so I said, ‘OK, take it off -- whatever you have to do.' I simply did not know anybody who had survived breast cancer. I also didn't have the courage to ask the right questions."
Although she had intended to keep her diagnosis a secret, she told a friend whose mother had fought, and won, her own battle with the disease years earlier without a mastectomy. Jill sought a second opinion. Lumpectomy and radiation therapies were recommended, and her breast was saved.
In 1989, Jill co-produced and hosted an NBC documentary, "Destined to Live." The program featured interviews with cancer survivors, including First Lady Nancy Reagan.
For information about underwriting opportunities and tickets to Celebrating Women, call 214-820-4500 or e-mail CelebratingWomen@BaylorHealth.edu.
Calendar listing
What: Baylor Health Care System Foundation's 11th annual Celebrating Women luncheon
When, where: 11:45 a.m. October 21, Hilton Anatole hotel, 2201 Stemmons Freeway in Dallas
Why: Celebrating Women helps Baylor Health Care System fight breast cancer.
Guest speakers: Actress and breast cancer survivor Jill Eikenberry and her husband, actor Michael Tucker
Event chairmen: Christie Carter and Cindy Carter
Honorary chairmen: Peggy and Carl Sewell
Underwriting chairmen: Lisa Longino, Marta Engram and Pam Perella
Circle of Care Award winners: Peggy and Leonard Riggs, The Discovery Foundation
Presenting sponsor: Tom Thumb
Cost:Starts at $200/ticket
To sponsor, contact CelebratingWomen@baylorhealth.edu or 214-820-4900
CONTACT:
Ashley Howland
214-820-7540
ashley.howland@baylorhealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com