Young Professional Heroes

Young Dallasites fund cancer fight for these 9 integral organizations

If you’re a young professional looking to make a difference in the world, look no further than YTAC Dallas. The organization of young Dallasites sponsors different local organizations each year that all have one thing in common: the fight against cancer.

This year, YTAC Dallas has adopted a varied group of beneficiaries — including research organizations, treatment centers, and pediatric support foundations — that benefit from its fundraising work and amazing events.

Hope Lodge Dallas – Baylor Healthcare System & American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society builds and maintains Hope Lodges across the United States. These homes away from home give cancer patients and caregivers a free place to stay when they have to travel to other cities to receive the best cancer treatment available.

Each lodge offers privacy when patients and caregivers need it, as well as the opportunity to connect with other guests in a nurturing, supportive environment. YTAC Dallas’ 2016 fundraising efforts will go toward the construction of Hope Lodge Dallas, which will serve those who live more than 40 miles away from Dallas but must travel here for treatment.

First Descents
Cancer takes a toll on mind, body, and spirit, but First Descents offers young adult cancer survivors and fighters, ages 18 through 39, the chance to renew their spirits in the great outdoors. They enjoy activities like climbing, surfing, whitewater rafting, catching incredible sunsets, and more, while connecting with others on their own cancer journeys.

First Descents helps patients and survivors focus their attention on the defining moments of one’s life: the obstacles overcome, the fears conquered, and the relationships created during times of struggle and triumph, while recognizing the dichotomy of fear and peace, laughter and sadness that goes along with every fight with cancer. A portion of the funds raised this year at various YTAC Dallas events will help young adult cancer survivors and fighters enjoy these experiences for free.

Leukemia Texas
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting cancer patients through funding leukemia research and patient aid here in the Lone Star State. Its patient aid program helps patients and their families pay for the medical treatment needed in the fight against cancer.

The organization currently serves more than 100 leukemia patients. Leukemia Texas awards grants through its research program in the support of improved cancer treatment methods. YTAC Dallas looks forward to funding Leukemia Texas with $1,000 direct patient aid program checks for Texas leukemia patients this year.

The Bridge Breast Network
Cancer screening and treatment can be a burden for patients, which is why the Bridge Breast Network has provided diagnostic and treatment for underinsured, uninsured, and low-income individuals in 17 North Texas counties since 1992. More than 130,000 people have benefited from the life-saving services offered by the organization, including mammograms, sonograms, biopsies, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.

As a YTAC Dallas beneficiary, the Bridge Breast Network will receive additional funding from Dallas young professionals so that it can continue its mission of treatment and healing here in North Texas.

1 Million 4 Anna
1 Million 4 Anna was founded for 16-year-old Anna Basso, who fought an 18-month battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a bone and soft tissue cancer that affects children and young adults. To help encourage Anna in her fight, more than a million supporters pledged to pray for her at 12:12 pm every day.

Today Anna’s spirit lives on in the form of the foundation, which is on a mission to beat Ewing’s Sarcoma through funding research into new treatments for the disease. The organization is also dedicated to helping cancer fighters by educating and inspiring them through their fight.

With the help of YTAC Dallas, 1 Million 4 Anna will be able to provide more gift and toy items to children battling cancer in local hospitals through three local Anna’s Closets.

Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids
Named for Clayton Dabney, a brave boy of only 6 who passed away after his battle with cancer, this foundation benefits families of children with terminal cancer. The foundation’s primary program, Medicine of the Heart, provides families with children in the last stages of terminal cancer with assistance in creating lasting memories that they will carry with them for years to come.

The foundation has helped more than 3,200 families with last wishes, family travel experience, and financial help when needed. This year, funds raised at YTAC Dallas’ events will go to support Medicine of the Heart as the foundation continues to expand its reach to more families in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Medical City Children’s Hospital Camp iHope
It goes without saying that cancer is a trial for young patients, but their siblings also go through a significant emotional burden. Camp iHope, developed by the oncology team at Medical City Children’s Hospital in 2011, is designed to give young cancer patients and their siblings, ages 7 to 16, an engaging and exciting week-long summer camp experience each year.

Camp iHope provides kids battling cancer and their brothers and sisters with a place to feel normal, where cancer is simply understood and doesn’t have to be talked about all the time. Campers build confidence and find support in one another each year, and with the help of fundraisers like YTAC Dallas, attendance at the camp is free of charge for most families.

Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center
Science serves as the foundation for the research that Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center funds. New techniques and clinical trials under the watchful eye of the US Food and Drug Administration are accessible to patients through the nonprofit center, established in 1997.

Named after its founder, Mary C. Crowley, who battled two rounds of cervical cancer, the center has enrolled more than 5,300 patients in more than 300 FDA-approved clinical trials since opening. In 2016, YTAC Dallas will help fund a clinical trial program focused on triple negative breast cancer phase 1 drug testing.

UT Southwestern Research, Dr. Erin Lampson
Internationally acclaimed, the research program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of the best places for basic and clinical research. The hospital and its fellows regularly engage in research that leads to life-changing treatments, including those for cancer patients.

Dr. Erin Lampson is the chief fellow at UT Southwestern’s division of pediatric hematology and oncology. Her team is currently researching the effects of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on survivors by studying why some live with lifelong learning and brain function complications, while others do not. Funds raised at the many events through the year will help Dr. Lampson in these efforts.

There are many ways for individuals and organizations to get involved in YTAC Dallas’ work. Learn more on the YTAC website, or sign up for regular updates via email.

Each year, YTAC Dallas helps fund a select group of beneficiaries.

Photo courtesy of YTAC Dallas

Each year, YTAC Dallas helps fund a select group of beneficiaries.

promoted young-professionals

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.