Dallas men and women dressed in their daytime finest strolled into the Brook Hollow Golf Club for the much-anticipated KidneyTexas annual luncheon and fashion show, an important fundraising event that helps raise awareness for kidney disease.
As supporters found their seats, co-chairs Terri Bumgarner and Lauryn Gayle White welcomed guests, and KidneyTexas president Natalie Taylor expressed her gratitude for all the Dallas community does to combat the disease, which affects roughly 20 million people in the United States.
Next up was honorary chair Renée Winter, who shared a video from her husband, Dr. David Winter, who couldn’t attend. Then award recipient Ann Dyer, a longtime volunteer and board member, received a standing ovation from the grateful audience.
Once the applause settled, the Jan Strimple-produced fashion show began. Gorgeous models, as well as family members of some of the event’s donors, showcased hot styles from Dallas favorite Tootsies.
However, the highlight of the morning was the time spent introducing attendees — including Barbara Daseke, Doris Jacobs, Marianna Wilshusen, Megan Meyercord, Pat McDonough, Charlotte Kimberlin, Pat Cousin, Dustin Holcomb, Nerissa Von Helpenstill and Maggie Kipp — to people who have been given a second chance at life through a kidney transplant.
These touching stories of kidney donation ranged from a brother saving his sister to a neighbor who felt moved to help her friend. The kidney donors and recipients waltzed down the runway, and trust me when I say there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Emcee Ron Corning concluded the presentation part of the affair with a short live auction. Gifts ranged from trips to New Mexico to art by Georgianna Ireland and even gift cards to Anthropologie. Supporters then moved into the elegant dining room for a delicious lunch and a chance to reflect on the good work of KidneyTexas.
Since 1999, the volunteers of KidneyTexas have worked together with the organization’s underwriters to raise more than $2.5 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.
Baer Schamerloh, Heather Schamerloh, Janelle Friedman, Ava Schamerloh
