More than 1,000 supporters flooded the Hilton Anatole for the 26th annual Children’s Cancer Fund Luncheon, which raises money and awareness for Children’s Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center. It’s one of the most special days on the Dallas charitable calendar because pediatric cancer patients and survivors come together for an unforgettable and heartwarming fashion show in which they get to be the stars.
Honorary co-chairs Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach joined forces with luncheon co-chairs Tyler Kuelbs and Stacie Wells to put on this memorable event, which featured a runway show sponsored by Dillard’s. The kids — sporting an outfit they selected and get to keep — strutted the catwalk hand-in-hand with a celebrity or sponsor of the event. It was an exciting and much-needed respite from from the hospital and treatments.
Participating celebrities included Cowboys legend Drew Pearson; current Cowboys Brandon Carr, DeMarco Murray and Jason Witten; Sidney Fullmer from the American Girl Movie Saige Paints the Sky; Ainsley Bailey from Disney’s Shake it Up; Miss Texas Teen Kellie Stewart; and Miss Texas Ivana Hall. Hometown heroes from the Dallas Fire Department also helped sponsor these kids.
For the grand finale, the children joined Amber Carrington, North Texas native and semi-finalist on season for of NBC’s The Voice, as she performed Kelly Clarkson’s hit “Breakaway.” A few months after Carrington graduated from high school, she lost her mother to breast cancer. Since then, she has been honoring her mother’s life by singing.
“The enthusiasm, support and love in the ballroom was nothing short of inspiring,” said co-chair Wells. “It was beautiful to see everyone come together with their time, treasures and talents for the children. This level of commitment ensures that Children’s Cancer Fund is truly a movement for a cancer-free tomorrow.”
Since 1982, Children’s Cancer Fund has raised $7 million — much of it through this annual luncheon — to fund pediatric research and help improve treatment for hundreds of children throughout the greater North Texas community.
Carter Fielding, Roger Staubach
