Heroes both big and small, fictional and real, assembled at the Hilton Anatole on Friday, April 11 for the sold-out Children’s Cancer Fund gala.
The event, celebrating its 35th year, raises millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research and Child Life services. This year's gala proved especially successful, breaking records with a whopping $3 million raised.
Patrons got to browse photos, drawings, testimonials, news clippings, and other memorabilia from years past during the cocktail hour, as well as check out the well-stocked silent auction. Guests could also slip behind the wheel of a gleaming Aston Martin DB12 Volante — which was for sale, if anyone felt so inclined.
Gala chairs Meredith Land, Lori Jones.Photo by Tiffany Sage
Photo by Tiffany Sage
Todd Lemkin, Kasey Lemkin, Candace Nelson
Inside the ballroom, emcee Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, gala chairs Lori Jones and Meredith Land, and CCF chief executive officer Jennifer Arthur welcomed supporters before everyone tucked into an elegant dinner.
Sarah Yanniello, a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse at Children’s Health, received the TeamIzzy Healthcare Award, first awarded in 2024 in honor of Izzy Martin, who passed away shortly after participating in 2022's gala.
Then the main event could really begin.
Honorary chairs Troy Aikman, in his 26th year of support, and Dak Prescott, marking his third year of involvement, led a fashion show featuring 20 pediatric cancer patients, ages 6-16, all glammed up in outfits provided by Dillard's.
These runway stars included:
- 11-year-old Rufo Abbajifar of McKinney
- 6-year-old Skylar Adams of Frisco
- 6-year-old Darius Alexander of Dallas
- 6-year-old Octavia Castillo of Richardson
- 6-year-old Wells Denison of Dallas
- 8-year-old Mikensie Duncan of Euless
- 16-year-old Kyndall Frederick of Longview
- 12-year-old Lauren Gutierrez of Coppell
- 10-year-old Kira Handrale of Lewisville
- 13-year-old Matthew Haynes of Terrell
- 6-year-old August Johansen of McKinney
- 7-year-old Isabela Lam of Plano
- 14-year-old Lennox Lannon of Dallas
- 6-year-old Clayton Moorse of Dallas
- 11-year-old Matthew Norris of Celina
- 7-year-old Lorenza Ruiz of Plano
- 7-year-old Mateo Badillo Soto of Dallas
- 13-year-old Erin Savage of North Richland Hills
- 6-year-old Lincoln Schoessow of Celina
- 16-year-old Dylan Williams of Bedford
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Octavia Castillo.Photo by Tamytha Cameron
The children were escorted by a wide variety of celebrities:
- Spider-Man, Queen Elsa, and the larger-than-life transformer Bumblebee (who later lit up the dance floor — literally)
- Alice + Olivia founder Stacey Bendet, U Beauty founder Tina Craig, influencer sisters Maddy and Sophie McGuire, and fashion icons Nicky and Kathy Hilton
- Aikman, Prescott, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Cowboys mascot Rowdy, and four members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (including fan favorite Reece Weaver)
- members of Highland Park's fire department, Dallas SWAT, and even some of the patients' own doctors
Aikman and Prescott continued the “Quarterbacks for a Cure” legacy established by Cowboys legend Roger Staubach in representing Children’s Cancer Fund. Staubach served as a Children’s Cancer Fund gala chair from the fundraiser’s inception until passing the torch to Prescott in 2022.
“The joy these kids bring, knowing everything they’re going through and the resilience it takes just to be here, is what brings me back year after year,” says Prescott. “Being part of a night that gives them spirit, love, hope, and support — while recognizing the obstacles they face every day — means the world to me. My mission is to help decrease the number of diagnoses and increase the number of survivors. It takes all of us, and playing even a small role is something I cherish.”
Arthur and Brent Christopher, president of Children's Medical Center Foundation, announced the building of a new pediatric campus. This partnership between Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center, set to open in 2031, will replace the current Children's Medical Center Dallas.
“It was incredibly special to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished over the past 35 years with our friends and partners,” Arthur said. “At the same time, the night was about looking ahead to the future of pediatric health care in North Texas. We were proud to share news of our partnership with Children's Health and UT Southwestern as they build a new pediatric campus — an exciting milestone for Dallas and the entire region."
Sophie McGuire, Maddy McGuire, Natalie McGuire, Mike McGuirePhoto by Tamytha Cameron
A live auction led by Wendy Lambert raised big bucks, with the winners bound to enjoy a Porsche racing experience in Atlanta, a NorthPark Center shopping spree, a suite experience for a Dallas Cowboys game, a Jet Linx private membership, a custom Alice + Olivia design, a meal for 40 at The Charles, a stay at a private villa in Cabo San Lucas, and a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" package in New York City.
Guests — and superheroes — danced long into the night at the after-party, celebrating the event’s extraordinary fundraising total and all the children and their families it will soon help.
Children’s Cancer Fund was founded in 1982 by a coalition of parents whose children were receiving cancer therapy at Children’s Health. CCF raises millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research and Child Life services each year and has created 10 endowments that support pediatric cancer patients at Children's Health and UT Southwestern. CCF is one of the nation’s leading fundraising groups supporting local research toward treatment and prevention of childhood cancers.
For more information or to donate, visit www.ChildrensCancerFund.com.
