Victory Declared! Houston Rallies for Kids with Cancer, Raising $1.6 Mil

Daniel Ortiz
Victory Declared! Houston Rallies for Kids with Cancer, Raising $1.6 Mil

Susan and Mark Ryan

IN ITS INAUGURAL year, the Victory Rally Ball, held at the new 713 Music Hall inside Post Houston, was a gigantic success — in every way.

Nearly 1,000 partygoers joined chairs Elizabeth Fulghum, Melissa Hobbs and Stephanie Morris at the event, which raised funds for pediatric cancer research and initiatives in Houston. The "Pop Art"-themed party was colorful indeed, and featured caricature artists and bright decor. Several of Victory's founding members were in attendance, cheering on a few rounds of Paddles Up and Vegas-style gaming.

Emcee Frank Billingsley kept the evening moving, and introduced auctioneer extraordinaire Johnny "Bravo" Holloway, who showed up ready to rally in a gold sequined jacket. Items in the live auction included jewelry from Valobra and Diamonds Direct, and cool culinary experiences like a Steak 48 cocktail party, and dinner for 24 at the home of Johnny Carrabba himself.

Sonic Automotive rolled in the big guns at the end, donating a 2023 Ford F-150 King Ranch custom truck, which got bidders excited. The dealer ended up donating a second truck because interest was so high — and the two sold for a combined $190,000. Guests were riding high after the energetic auction, and took to the dance floor to boogie to tunes by Yacht Rock and Disco Expressions.

In all, the night brought in a whopping $1.6 million. For nearly 40 years, Victory's all-volunteer team has raised more than $60 million for cancer research — all of which goes to Medical Center organizations.

Regina and Matt Reynolds, Jo and Matt Farina, and Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard

Karen Tellepsen, Aimee Dodson and Cynthia Urguhart

Elizabeth Fulghum, Stephanie Morris and Melissa Hobbs with Johnny Bravo Holloway

Jackie Eubank, Dee Darby and Marissa Eubank

Amanda Moreno, Krista Shamaly, Laurie Cacioppo and Tiffany Halik

Diane Cain and Samantha Derrett

Emily Anderson throwing dice

Alex and Robin Brennan Martin

Cynthia Wolf and Raquel Lewis

Susan Ryan, GiGi Harbison and Susan Bonora

Elaine Finger and Sherri Zucker

Diane Cain with Jo Ann Petersen

Riley Canfield, Katie Tiegs and Jessica Morrison

Lauren and Nathan Colbert

Patrick Carter, Lisa Hauser-Carter, Sarah Oliver and Boriss Losso

Hind Rafei, Hilla Janjua, Sheetal Rao and Hibah Callies

Rob and Bayli Dale

Parties
Leadership in Action: Clothiers Murry and Karen Penner Celebrate Family Business’ 50-Year Anny

Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER

How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music

Get to Know Bianca:

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music, is a dynamic force in the public relations industry. She is known for her tenacity, empathy, and bilingual communication skills. As a local publicist with national reach, she blends local insights with broader impact, telling compelling stories that foster business growth and create opportunities.

Keep Reading Show less