Baylor Health Care System Foundation will host its 15th annual Celebrating Womenluncheon on Friday, October 24 at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas. Amy Robach, Good Morning America co-host and breast cancer survivor, will deliver the keynote address at the 2014 luncheon, which raises funds to benefit Baylor Health Care System’s fight against breast cancer.
Since the first Celebrating Women luncheon in 2000, more than $22 million has been raised to support advanced diagnostic equipment, innovative clinical research, and most importantly, safe, quality, compassionate care for Baylor’s patients and families. Approximately 1,200 passionate men and women attend the Celebrating Women luncheon each year in a show of support for Baylor’s efforts to fight the disease.
“With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, you are hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t been touched by the disease,” said Rowland K. Robinson, Foundation president. “We are grateful to all those who have joined us in the fight against breast cancer through their support of Celebrating Women. Every donation, no matter the amount, has a ripple effect. If there are enough of us, we can make a big difference in the lives of women and families fighting this disease.”
The event, chaired by Lisa Longino and Daffan Nettle, will recognize presenting sponsor, Tom Thumb with the Circle of Care Award. The 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.”
The W.H. and Peggy Smith Family served as this year’s honorary chairmen and Maggie Kipp was this year’s underwriting chairman.
At the luncheon, Robach is expected to speak about the importance of mammograms and her experience battling the disease. In 2013, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Robach had her first mammogram at age 40, live on Good Morning America. A few weeks later, Robach received the devastating news that she had breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy and completed treatment earlier this year.
“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. ”
Major Donors Include:
$100,000: Al G. Hill, Jr. (in loving memory of Margaret Hunt Hill), Mrs. W.H. Smith and Tom Thumb
$50,000: Jim and Macy Chionsini
$25,000 - $49,000: Comerica Bank, Alan and Randy Engstrom, Lyda Hill, Hunt Consolidated, Inc./Hunt Oil Company, Mary Kay Inc. and The David B. Miller Family Foundation
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Julie Smith
940-765-7560
Julie.Smith2@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