Breast cancer survivor and ABC News correspondent, Amy Robach, will be the featured speaker at the 15th annual Baylor Health Care System Foundation Celebrating Women luncheon on Friday, Oct. 24, at 11:45 a.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The announcement was first shared with an excited group of Celebrating Women committee members at the Kick-Off Coffee, held at the home of Brenda Cockerell today in Dallas, Texas.
Since joining ABC News as a correspondent in 2012, Robach's assignments have sent her around the globe where she contributes to all ABC News broadcasts, while appearing most frequently on Good Morning America. As part of Good Morning America's "Goes Pink Day" in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October, Robach had her first mammogram at age 40 and agreed to participate in the first-ever on-air mammogram. Following the mammogram, Robach received life-altering news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. In the weeks that followed, Robach underwent a double mastectomy and is currently undergoing treatment for the disease.
Since the first Celebrating Women luncheon in 2000, more than $21 million has been raised to support Baylor Health Care System's 50 year fight against breast cancer. Every four hours, someone in Dallas-Fort Worth is diagnosed with breast cancer and donations to Celebrating Women have supported advanced diagnostic equipment, innovative clinical research, and most importantly, safe, quality, compassionate care for Baylor Health Care System's patients and families. Approximately 1200 passionate men and women attend the Celebrating Women luncheon each year in a show of support for Baylor Health Care System's efforts to fight the disease.
"Baylor fights daily to advance breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and care so that families and loved ones do not suffer the unbearable loss of a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, or friend due to breast cancer," says Rowland K. Robinson, president of Baylor Health Care System Foundation. "It's truly inspiring to see our community come together year after year with such tremendous enthusiasm for this cause – one that touches us all."
Lisa Longino and Daffan Nettle will chair the Celebrating Women luncheon this year, and Maggie Kipp will serve as underwriting chairman. The W.H. and Peggy Smith Family have been named honorary chairmen.
Presenting sponsor, Tom Thumb, will be honored with the Circle of Care Award. This award is given to those who have served as advocates, volunteers, educators or donors and have made a difference in the campaign against breast cancer. For the past 10 years, Tom Thumb has served as presenting sponsor of the Celebrating Women luncheon; their contributions exceed $1 million.
"Tom Thumb is honored to join hands with Baylor in the fight against breast cancer, as it touches the lives of our customers and associates every day," said Connie Yates, Director of Public Affairs for Tom Thumb. "Baylor's continued dedication and extraordinary advances in the diagnosis, treatment and cure of breast cancer is truly remarkable."
At the luncheon, Amy Robach is expected to speak about the importance of mammograms and her experience battling the disease. "While everyone who gets cancer is clearly unlucky, I got lucky by catching it early," Robach wrote in an ABC blog post that accompanied her announcement. "The doctors told me bluntly, 'That mammogram just saved your life.' I can only hope my story will do the same and inspire every woman who hears it to get a mammogram, to take a self exam. No excuses. It is the difference between life and death. "
For information about underwriting opportunities and tickets to Celebrating Women, call 214-820-4500 or email CelebratingWomen@BaylorHealth.edu. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are still available; individual tickets start at $250 and table prices start at $2,500.
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CONTACT:
Jennifer Huntsberry
214-820-1640
jennifer.huntsberry@baylorhealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com