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.

Nory Mae Hearron, 7, and Amy Vanderoef

Photo courtesy of Kristina Bowman

Nory Mae Hearron, 7, and Amy Vanderoef

Beautiful Music

Katharine McPhee & David Foster headline poignant Turtle Creek Chorale gala

Photo by Cash Anglin Photography

Katharine McPhee and David Foster had the crowd laughing and cheering.

The Turtle Creek Chorale famously held its inaugural Rhapsody gala at the Statler Hotel in March 2020, and now, five years later, the fundraising dinner/concert has returned to its roots.

Supporters of the the most recorded men's chorus in the world arrived at the downtown Dallas hotel on September 20 in their sparkliest, shiniest, and most elegant outfits, ready for an evening of philanthropy and fantastic music.

Turtle Creek Chorale Rhapsody 2025 The outfits were on point.Photo by Cash Anglin Photography

An opening reception allowed guests to mingle with the many members of the famous men's chorus, which is also celebrating its 45th year.

Then it was into the Statler's ballroom for a short-rib and couscous dinner as gala and board chair Dr. Whitney Strauss and executive director Dr. Dawson B. Taylor welcomed the crowd. Just as 250-plus attendees were finishing their duo of desserts, TCC artistic director and conductor Sean Mikel Baugh led "the Turtles" into the room for a medley of songs.

An especially poignant moment was a video message from former Chorale member Reggie, who recently decided to leave Texas for California due to the state's increasingly intolerant political climate. Reggie, a trans man, stressed that even though this was a necessary move for his family's safety, he would never forget the welcoming community he found with the Turtles and considered himself a lifelong member.

A spirited live auction spotlighted five prizes: a handmade quilt by Chorale member Clint Milner; the choice of attending Pride 2026 in either New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago; a U.S. Open Tennis Championship package; the Ultimate TCC Experience; and private dinner for 10 in chef Kent Rathbun's home — the latter of which ended up being sold twice to raise even more money to support the Chorale’s mission to entertain, educate, unite, and inspire through music.

Turtle Creek Chorale Rhapsody 2025 Clint Milner made the "Guardian of Pride" quilt.Photo by Cash Anglin Photography

Photo by Cash Anglin Photography

Katharine McPhee and David Foster had the crowd laughing and cheering.

The evening's main event did not disappoint. Multi-Grammy Award-winning composer and producer David Foster was joined by his wife and protege, Katharine McPhee, for a concert that blended humor with humanity and a hell of a lot of hit songs.

Up-and-comer Daniel Emmett, who currently tours with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, warmed up the crowd with a powerhouse vocal performance.

Foster has played a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and a Michael Buble, and written legendary tunes for Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Chicago, *NSYNC, Dolly Parton, and more. He also wrote the score for the recent Broadway musical Boop. The list of successful bands, singers, albums, and songs is long, so we'll just say this: If you think of a hit from the 1970s onward, Foster likely had a hand in it.

Turtle Creek Chorale Rhapsody 2025 David Foster and Katharine McPhee.Photo by Cash Anglin Photography

McPhee first met Foster on the set of American Idol in 2006, and the pair married in 2019. Her career has spanned television (Smash, Scorpion) to concerts and even Broadway in 2018, when she starred in the Sara Bareilles musical Waitress. Generous arts lovers may remember McPhee's last gala performance here in Dallas, when she co-headlined the now-Broadway Dallas soiree with Brian Stokes Mitchell in 2017.

A selection of Turtles joined the couple onstage for several songs.

By the end of the evening, the room was on its feet, dancing and singing along to Donna Summer's "Last Dance" (on which Foster played keys for the original recording). All told, the event raised more than $400,000 for TCC's musical, cultural, and educational programs.

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