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Feb. 6, 2017
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
IN A REFRESHING departure from typical gala programming, the Broach Foundation invited David Spade for cocktails and comedy, all in the name of brain-cancer research.
The comedian took to the mic at River Oaks Country Club and entertained hundreds of supporters at the 12th annual gala benefiting the nonprofit, which was established in honor of James Broach. Studio Megan Davis outfitted the ballroom in shades of blue and teal, and selected floral centerpieces of white hydrangeas.
Fred Lang of MD Anderson's neurosurgery department — and who is in charge of the hospital's clinical and translational research laboratory — spoke about the new “biological therapies” being developed to treat brain tumors, and how those therapies have previously been underfunded. To date, the Broach Foundation has given more than $6 million to fund clinical trials to stop the most aggressive form of brain cancer, glioblastoma.
Then Spade, who happily mingled and took photos with guests during the cocktail hour, lightened the mood with an act full of his signature self-deprecating humor and sarcasm. Laughter truly is the best medicine!
Sara Ruppelt, Michelle Young
Barrett and Susan Reasoner
Ryan and Dina Taaffe
Anita O'Shaughnessy, Bess Wareing, Amada Child
Quincy Lenoman, Cory Lenorman, Addlynn Maack
Rainey and Tom Richardson
Brian and Deanna Kotrla
Megan Davis, James Kadlick
Chuck Yates, Laura Haynes
Meg Bres, Kate Bres and Jan Bres
David Spade
Mark and Jennifer Stevenson
Kate Clower, Margaret Roubaud
Lindsey and Trey Black
Lee Majors and David Spade