Survivors and Socialites Inspire Hope at CanCare’s 30th Luncheon

Daniel Ortiz and Dave Rossman
Survivors and Socialites Inspire Hope at CanCare’s 30th Luncheon

Whitney Lawson, Fady Armanious and Alicia Smith

NEARLY 400 GATHERED at the River Oaks Country Club to raise a glass to cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters — and the hope that everyone deserves to feel throughout their journey with the disease.


CanCare’s 30th annual luncheon, chaired by philanthropist heavyhitters Phoebe and Bobby Tudor with honorary chairs Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, raised an incredible $400,000 for the organization’s mission to match new cancer patients with survivors who can support them. Attendees walked away with a new understanding of the significance that positivity and hope has for cancer survivorship.

A raffle touted Valobra earrings and coveted Diamond Club seats at an Astros game. Winners were drawn at the end of the program, which included an onstage chat between Gina Gaston and MD Anderson physician Peter Pisters. There was also an emotional candle-lighting ceremony, during which guests held up glowing candles in honor of loved ones impacted by cancer.

Those who made donations during the luncheon received a bell to ring — an action which traditionally marks the end of cancer treatment.

Alex Blair and Debbie Pakzaban

Vijay Goradia and Marie Goradia

Amy Pierce and Stephanie Tsuru

Titus Harris and Charlie Epps

Brigitte Kalai and Alex Kalai

Sippi and Ajay Khurana

Cathy Herr, Anne Neeson, Susan Distefano

Rochelle Griffin and Donna Lewis

Natalie Mohtashami, Megan Vondra

Ceron

Darcie Wells, Vijay Goradia and Phoebe Tudor

Michael Wiesenthal and Jared Wiesenthal

Peter Pisters with Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

Michael and Ileana Trevino

Ginger Blanton, Regina Rogers

Kim Trimble, Amanda Horton, Angela Williams

Jordan Seff, Vanessa Ames, Brook Lee

Jim Braniff and Coy Lewis

Parties

Beef carpaccio atop La Griglia’s chic marble tables

IT'S 5 O’CLOCK on a Tuesday night and the newly imagined two-story La Griglia restaurant is already packed with cars at the valet, a line of guests at the door, and cocktail revelers filling the bar. The cognoscenti has reserved their favorite tables in the sophisticated dining room and in the dreamy Courtyard. It’s an outdoor space rivaling sunbaked patios in Tuscany — but this one sports heaters, a retractable roof, and its own bar, courtesy of owner Tilman Fertitta.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Life’s a beach in Santa Monica

DOGS WITH PONYTAILS. Someone dressed like Jimmy Buffet on psychedelics blaring music from a speaker hanging from his neck. Another gent taking a conference call on a ’90s-era headset at the skate park. These are all scenes from a leisurely hour in Venice Beach, where eclecticism and luxury intersect in true Los Angeles fashion.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places