What: The Planned Parenthood 2019 Dallas annual awards luncheon
Where: Hilton Anatole Hotel
The 411: Planned Parenthood broke a fundraising record at this year's luncheon, thanks to the 1,000 supporters, donors, patients, advocates, and elected officials who braved the coldest day of the year to support the organization and to hear from its new leader, Dr. Leana Wen.
Event chair Ann Hobson and a luncheon committee of over 50 Planned Parenthood supporters helped raise a record $2 million — blowing past the $1.15 million raised at last year's luncheon — all of which will go toward reproductive healthcare and health education in North Texas.
"We are more than grateful for the generosity of the Dallas community, and so proud to announce this record-breaking day of giving in support of the Planned Parenthood mission," said Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas president and CEO Ken Lambrecht. "It is only with the dedication and support of our community that we are able to continue to provide trusted healthcare and sex education to the Texans who count on us."
Dr. Wen recently took over as president, the position long held by Cecile Richards, and is the first physician to lead the organization in over 50 years.
"As a patient, I depended on Planned Parenthood for medical care at various times in my own life, and as a public health leader, I have seen firsthand the lifesaving work it does for our most vulnerable communities," said Dr. Wen. "As a doctor, I will ensure we continue to provide high-quality health care, including the full range of reproductive care, and will fight with everything I have to protect the access of millions of patients who rely on Planned Parenthood."
Former Planned Parenthood medical directors Dr. Mark Godat and Dr. Darrel Jordan received the Gertrude Shelburne Humanitarian Award, and members of the Planned Parenthood Dallas Leadership Council were awarded the Gertrude Shelburne Volunteer of the Year Award.
Last year, nearly 85,000 Texans were served by health centers in Austin, Corsicana, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Fort Worth, Paris, Tyler, Waco, and surrounding communities.
Who: Lindsay Billingsley, Congressman Marc Veasey, Laraine Dupuy, Debbie Barnes, Linda McFarland, Rue Henry, Katie Allen, and Congressman Colin Allred.
Dr. Leana Wen
