A ballroom full of costumed doctors, patients and supporters partied the night away at the Fairmont Dallas for Arthritis Foundation's seventh annual Bone Bash. Thankfully, no one took the easy route and donned scrubs.
Five hundred guests — including phantoms, scarecrows, devils, bees, Big Tex, and Snow White and her dwarves — bid in the silent auction and got tarot card readings before sitting down for a warm meal.
At first glance it might have seemed otherwise, but this bone-chilling bash was also a serious fundraiser.
To open the night, emcee Mike Doocy of Fox Sports News broke the ice by saying he was able to attend only because Josh Hamilton didn't get us to the World Series. After a few laughs, he quickly transitioned into a more meaningful mode about the foundation and its efforts to change the staggering number of people affected by the disease.
Doocy invited Texas board chair Ryan Gummer to the stage and recognized chairmen Dr. "Buz" Burkhead, Dr. Paul Peters and Dr. Kurt Rathjen. Doocy also introduced the newly inducted CEO of the foundation, Susan Carter, who gave heartfelt thanks to the prestigious Carrell Clinic, which made the event possible.
After years of experience at the Susan G. Komen foundation, Carter is excited about spreading arthritis awareness. She explained that when she first started at Komen, breast cancer wasn't as well-known as it is today. Carter shared that the number of kids affected by arthritis is shocking — and that's what drives her even more.
Carter's favorite costume? Dr. David Karp and his wife, who dressed up as King Arthur and "-itis" — with glow disks around all of her joints. Get it?
The philanthropic event continued with a performance by Doctors Doctors. Notable guests included Kevan Wong, Paul Rook, Claire and Bill Hyde, Alison and Richard Moore, Ro Lewinski, Kelly McBrathney, Elisa Slaton, John Eckel, Taylor Paxton, Hannah Duncan, and Tanya and David Bisset.
Proceeds from the bash help the 1.8 million children and adults living with arthritis in North Texas.
