Baylor Health Care System Foundation hosted its 13th annual Celebrating Womenluncheon in October at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas. For the eighth consecutive year, Tom Thumb was the Presenting Sponsor. Celebrating Women has raised more than $19 million over the past 13 years to benefit Baylor Health Care System’s breast cancer initiatives.
“Every mother, sister and daughter in the audience today all remind us that we need to be a little impatient, pushing ourselves a little harder to help advance the science, so our friends and family won’t have to deal with this insidious disease,” said Rowland K. Robinson, president of Baylor Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity shown by the individuals in this room, we are bringing real hope to breast cancer patients and their families.”
The keynote address, delivered by award-winning actor and best-selling author Rob Lowe, was heard by more than 1,350 luncheon attendees. After losing his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to breast cancer, Rob has been a passionate advocate for research and early detection.
“There is so much hope in today’s war on cancer. To talk to the doctors on the cutting edge is to come away with an optimism and excitement that is extraordinary,” said Rob. “Everyone in this room is a living example of how far we’ve come; walking miracles of medicine, faith and perseverance. There is little doubt that as more lives are saved, even better news is just around the corner. If we didn’t believe that, we wouldn’t be here.”
The event, chaired by Pam Busbee and Pam Perella, recognized Mary Anne Cree and the Men and Women of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. with the Circle of Care Award. The award is given to those who have served as advocates, volunteers, educators or donors and have made a difference in the campaign against breast cancer. Caren Prothro served as this year’s honorary chairman. Claire Emanuelson, Peggy Meyer, Robyn Conlon and Jennifer Sampson were this year’s underwriting chairmen.
During the luncheon, Joel Allison, president and chief executive officer of Baylor Health Care System, shared an exciting announcement – the American Cancer Society has selected Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas for the location of their newest Hope Lodge. Hope Lodge Dallas will offer free accommodations for 50 cancer patients and their families who travel to Dallas for care from more than 50 miles away. In addition to offering patients and their caregivers a home away from home during treatment, Hope Lodge Dallas will also serve as the regional headquarters for the American Cancer Society.
“We share the enthusiasm of Baylor about the potential for Hope Lodge to really make a difference for cancer patients and their families who travel to the Dallas area for treatment at our many world-class health facilities,” said Maria Clark, American Cancer Society regional vice president. “We are excited to be able to provide this higher level of service to our community. For helping to ensure that Hope Lodge becomes a reality in Dallas as soon as possible, we are thankful to our long-time partner Baylor.”
Major Celebrating Women donors include:
$100,000: E.T. Bradley, Al G. Hill Jr., Mrs. W.H. Smith and Tom Thumb
$50,000: Mary Anne Cree
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform — MyBSWHealth. Through 52 hospitals and more than 1,300 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
