For the Kids

Dallas celebrities and sports heroes go big for Children's Cancer Fund

The theme for this year's Children's Cancer Fund gala was "sweet," and nothing could have been more fitting. The night celebrated "sweet smiles, sweet styles, and sweet stories of survival," with bright, candy-wonderland decor.

With Texas sports royalty at the helm of the event, the sold-out gala had Dallas star power, and welcomed more than 1,200 guests. Honorary co-chairs Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman joined co-chairs Candice Romo and Hollie Siglin to pull off the organization’s largest annual fundraiser for pediatric cancer. Surpassing its goal, the event raised an impressive $1.2 million, all of which goes to support treatment programs and research at Children's Health and UT Southwestern.

Held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the gala began with a silent auction and VIP reception, which included light hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. The eye-catching signature drink was blackberry-garnished champagne topped with rose-infused cotton candy and dusted with gold powder. Dallas sports heroes mixed, mingled, and snapped photos throughout the reception.

After a heartfelt and personal introduction from Romo and Siglin, the dinner and program began, with Karen Borta of CBS 11 as mistress of ceremonies. As Staubach took the stage he noted that, "This is the first year that Children’s Cancer Fund has not lost a child who has participated in this event," which resulted in resounding applause from the crowd.

As guests dined, cancer patients from the ages of 5 to 15 modeled fashions provided by Dillard's. Each model was escorted by a local celebrity, dignitary, philanthropist, sponsor, or media personality. Guests got to hear each child's touching story and see first-hand what a positive impact Children's Cancer Fund has made on their lives.

In addition to Staubach and Aikman, escorts included Tony Romo; Victoria Arlen; Garry Brown, television producer and director; Melissa Brown, actress; Mike Crum; Juanika and Monta Ellis of the Indiana Pacers; Kiss FM Crew Kellie Rasberry, Big Al, JC, and Jenna; Miss Texas Margana Wood; Scott Murray; Eric Norris; Amy Vanderoef; Dallas SWAT team members; firefighters from Dallas Fire Station 19; and Children’s Cancer fund alum Russell McKeown. There were also current Dallas Cowboys players, cheerleaders, and Rowdy, the Cowboys mascot.

Attendees also included Millie and Ken Cooper, Brent Christopher, Yvonne Crum, Diane and Nick DiGiuseppe, Jamie and Melbourne O’Banion, Stan Richards and Carol Murphy, Ashley and Jerad Romo, Anne and Steve Stodghill, Lori and Matthew Trent, Kim Schlegel Whitman and Justin Whitman.

When Jennifer Arthur, CCF Executive Director of Development, stated that "this night is all about the kids," she meant it. The care, concern, and love for the patients emanated from every speech and comment made throughout the evening.

Dak Prescott said, "I would not miss this night, and I look forward to participating for years to come. This event is about hope and beating cancer."

And Aikman commented that, "When Roger (Staubach) invited me to this event 21 years ago, I was blown away. As long as they keep inviting me back, I will be here."

The gala also featured a live auction that included a personal Quarterback Camp with Romo at his home; National Fantasy Football Convention opportunity; a Sam Smith concert suite; a custom bicycle by Villy Custom; a Hawaiian vacation; a Dallas SWAT experience; a Mahindra ATV; a vest by Oscar de la Renta; and a Matthew Trent charm. NorthPark Center donated the raffle item, which was $500 in NorthPark Gold and valet parking for a year.

Entertainment was provided by the Ray Johnston Band throughout the night, and concluded with dancing and music from the Jordan Kahn Orchestra and special guest DJ Tony Romo.

Children’s Cancer Fund (CCF), founded in 1982, champions kids in their fight against cancer through strategic investments in research and care in North Texas. Since its inception, CCF has awarded almost $8 million in grants, and the organization received the 2014 Outstanding Foundation Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Abe Kelso, 7, and Ryan Hollingshead, FC Dallas soccer player

Photo courtesy of Thomas Garza

Abe Kelso, 7, and Ryan Hollingshead, FC Dallas soccer player

Denim & rhinestones

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 wrangles record $7.1 million

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Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 chairs Marjon Henderson and Lora Farris had chosen the theme "New Horizons" for their Carrie Underwood-headlined event. By the end of the night, they'd changed their anthem to her hit "Blown Away."

"We just broke every record!" Henderson enthused as she passed out hugs during the live auction.

The big record they were going for was $100 million - a grand total raised in all 51 years of Cattle Baron's Ball. Entering the night, they only had a couple million to go. No sweat for this event. And, they made it.

Henderson and Farris revealed on November 6 that the grand total raised at the 2024 ball was (drumroll, please) $7,122,663.

Cattle Baron's Ball is the largest single-night fundraiser in the nation for cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

It's also Dallas' biggest party of the year.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 Cattle Baron's Ball chairs Lora Farris and Marjon Henderson with some special four-legged guests at the entrance.Photo by Haynsworth Photography

On Saturday, September 28, more than 3,000 party-goers, cowgirl'd and cowboy'd up in their Western-glammy best, descended from party buses and rideshare SUVs to the grounds of Southfork Ranch in Parker. Henderson and Farris, along with their volunteer committee 100 women strong, greeted guests on the famous grounds of the TV show Dallas, site of the first Cattle Baron’s Ball in 1974.

An exclusive VIP party, presented by Anne Davidson inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center, got the evening off to a festive start. Mistress of ceremonies, NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson, gave a hearty welcome and introduced '90s country tribute band Straight Tequila Night to the stage.

Early arrivals got the first chance to sip the night's signature “Cowboy Casanova” and "Take the Wheel" cocktails, featuring Grey Goose Vodka and Patron Cristalino Tequila, respectively. Longtime CBB-ers know to pace themselves when it comes to food; the entire night is a frenzy of glorious gluttony (keep reading). VIPs nibbled on lobster quesadillas, mini grilled cheese, bacon-wrapped jalapeno popper bites, Dublin Dr Pepper short ribs, Frito pie, and more.

Photo by Haynsworth Photography

Cattle Baron's Ball co-chair Marjon Henderson and her girlfriend group had plenty of reasons to smile.

At 7 pm, the masses arrived and the party really got started. It was a picture-perfect fall evening to take a Ferris wheel ride at sunset or pose for souvenir photos at one of the many interactive photo booths around the grounds.

Each room inside the Conference Center was buzzing with activity. The main event, as always, was the enormous silent auction. Bidders browsed and bid via smartphones for hundreds items from local retailers, restaurants, exquisite jewelry and fashion, trips, home decor, sports and music memorabilia, and more. The showpiece of the room was a stunning blue gown by Dallas designer Ese Azenabor, up for auction and bought for thousands.

For the first time ever, Neiman Marcus sponsored a "Glam Room," where guests could get get makeup touch-ups, enjoy a trendy Hugo Spritz cocktail, and enjoy Neiman Marcus' famous chocolate chip cookies. Next door, folks could shop for boots, cowboy hats, and jewelry at the event's first-ever Marketplace. (Considering everyone was wearing some combination of boots, jewelry, or hats, the room stayed impressively full of people trying on and buying.)

The Casino stayed busy, and so did a Mizzen + Main Sports Lounge next door. Note to next year's organizers: Stock up on the White Rhino espresso martinis. Fans remembered the hand-shaken delights from last year, the line stayed long, and supplies ran out early.

Time for more food. Vestals Catering served up an outdoor buffet as big as Texas: smoked bistro filet; smoked and jalapeno sausages; spicy peach-glazed chicken thighs; butternut squash, kale, and mushroom enchiladas; Texas caviar, cobbler with Blue Bell ice cream, and more.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 A getaway to Mexico was one of several fabulous trips auctioned off for thousands.Photo by Haynsworth Photography

At 8:15 pm, Cowgirl bell-ringing baronesses signaled it was time for the live auction to begin. Led by lively auctioneer Letitia Frye (herself a cancer survivor, she announced), this year's jaw-dropping prize packages and fantasy trips included a Napa wine weekend (sold for $55,000); best seats in the house for the forthcoming Carrie Underwood concert (sold for $75,000) and an "Ultimate Tailgate" with Troy Aikman (sold three times for $75,000).

Each year, one of the most coveted auction items is a wine dinner prepared by some of Dallas' finest chefs — including Kent Rathbun and Dean Fearing. Two dinners were sold for $200,000 each, bringing in a record-breaking total of $400,000.

A “paddle raise” initiative around the room raised an additional $1 million to name a grant in honor of Kace Phillips, a Dallas resident and CBB supporter who died of glioblastoma last January. His wife, Claire, and their young children appeared on stage to remember him and encourage the fundraising.

Finally, it was time to head into a sprawling tent for headlinerCarrie Underwood. Making their way across the grounds, patrons picked up portable “concert snacks” including dill pickle popcorn, rosemary potato chips, and ginger molasses cookies.

Dressed in black sequin shorts and denim-rhinestone jacket, Underwood played a high-wattage show for more than an hour. The crowd crooned along to her biggest hits, from "Church Bells" to "Cowboy Casanova" to "Before He Cheats," and threw their hands into the air, church revival-style, for "Jesus Take the Wheel." Her cover of Guns 'N Roses "Paradise City," for which she shed her denim jacket and head-banged her long blond hair, got the audience rocking along, too.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2024 The crowd gathers inside the concert tent for the Carrie Underwood show.Photo by Haynsworth Photography

Those who wanted to catch early Ubers home ended the night there, while those who wanted to make a late night of it gathered back inside on the dance floor beneath the Live Auction stage, where Manhattan Orchestra band revved up the after-party until 2 am.

And, oh yes, there was more food for late-night revelers: breakfast tacos; a deep-fried station of tater tots, fried pickles, and onion rings; burgers, and sliders. And for good measure, a Raising Cane's food truck showed up with chicken fingers, too.

Going into the 2024 event, Cattle Baron’s Ball had raised more than $98 million since its inception in 1974. The November 6 check presentation for more than $7 million no doubt had the beneficiaries singing "Blown Away."

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The story originally was published on October 2, 2024. It was updated with the total amount raised on November 7, 2024.

american cancer society carrie underwood cattle baron's ball celebrities fundraisers galas neiman marcus