Themed "XOXO Sending Love & Care," the 2025 St. Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show welcomed 650 guests dressed in shades of pink, purple, and red to the Meyerson Symphony Center on February 12. The beloved annual Dallas luncheon raises vital funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Co-chairs Courtney Petit and Caitlin Wilson led this year's event, with honorary chairs Mona and Grey Stogner.
Patrons sipped champagne and browsed items up for bid in the silent auction, including jewelry, home décor, artwork, staycations, and more.
Inside the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall, mistress of ceremonies, FOX4 evening anchor Clarice Tinsley, oversaw a heartfelt program that underscored the organization's mission to sending love and care to the 1.7 million people currently battling blood cancer across the country - a message echoed by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society president and CEO Dr. Anders Kolb.
LLS Red River Region executive director Leah Swanson presented the 2025 ICON Award to former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush. Mrs. Bush accepted her award and gave brief remarks regarding the Bush family’s personal commitment to the mission of LLS as President George W. Bush’s sister, Robin Bush, died of leukemia when she was just 3 years old.
“It was the great sadness of the Bush family that they lost their little girl," Laura Bush told the audience. "Fortunately, though, times have changed, and thanks to the incredible research of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and countless doctors, a blood cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Now there’s a treatment for leukemia and lymphoma, and the generosity of everyone in this room makes it possible for little girls like Robin to come back home to their families happy and healthy. Thanks to everyone for being here and thank you for supporting this worthy cause.”
Additional awards recipients included:
- Dr. Robert (Brian) Berryman, a renowned oncologist with expertise in treating blood cancer patients, was presented with the Lynda Adleta Heart of Gold Award.
- Texas native and legendary Dallas actor, the late Larry Hagman, was recognized with this year’s Memorial Hero Award, which honors an individual in the community who has passed away and who battled blood cancer. His son Preston Hagman accepted the award.
- Jude Cobler, the Spirit of Tom Landry Award, given to a youth who has battled blood cancer.
The event's fashion show, produced by the Jan Strimple, featured spring looks from Highland Park Village retailers, including La Vie Style House, Veronica Beard, Simkhai, Lela Rose and Carolina Herrera. The annual tradition of host committee members’ children modeling Valentine’s-inspired looks from Love Shack Fancy once again stole the show, complete with 12-year-old “mailman,” Jack, handing out valentines to each as they walked the runway.
The event concluded with a plated luncheon in the lobby and a selection of gourmet sweets courtesy of Make My Life Sweeter.
In total, the event raised an impressive $640,000 for LLS.
Among the notable attendees were Caroline Ross, Kate Leyendecker, Victoria Snee, Liz Thrash, Taylor Burnett, Charlotte Jones, Bina Palnitkar, Candice Romo, Bonnie Lance, Stacey Duran, Jana Paul, Lauren Gillette, Maggie Kipp, Claire Catrino, Kristin Hallam, Cathleen Griffith, Laura Price, Suzanne Horn, Samantha Wortley, Lola Thomas, Sharon Lee Clark, Amber Griffin, Mimi Sterling, Maddie Gander, Christina Rangel-Bautista, Sara Madsen Miller, Mackenzie Brittingham, Faith Baldwin, Todd Fiscus, Ceron, Meredith Ferrell, Megan Fill, Katie Walton, Destin Shore, Lisa Sadoughi, Katy Brooks, Holly Quartaro, Robyn Chauvin, Jon Mellon, Dawn Mellon, Christen Carroll, Lottye Lyle, Autumn Thomas, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.
Photo by Tamytha Cameron
Leah Swanson, Dr. Anders Kolb, and former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush
