Event Date: April 5, 2024
Location: The Post Oak at Uptown
Event: Luncheon
Beneficiaries: American Cancer Society
No. in attendance: 650
Money raised: $389,000
Honorary Chair: Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman
Chairpersons: Jacquie Baly, Beth Wolff and Cynthia Wolff
Honorees: Nelda Blair, Chree Boydstun, Shelley Reeves Boyer, Cheryl Creuzot, Evelyn Leightman, Janette Marx, and Sue Smith
Presenting Sponsor: H-E-B
Emcee: Gina Gaston Elie
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Arif Kamal and Evelyn Leightman
Florals: H-E-B
Photography: Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Pink Wasn’t Just a Color; It Was a State of Mind at American Cancer Society’s Annual Tickled Pink Luncheon
For the more than 650 guests attending American Cancer Society’s annual “Tickled Pink” Luncheon presented by H-E-B at The Post Oak at Uptown, pink wasn’t just a color; it was a state of mind! Chairpersons Jacquie Baly, Beth Wolff, and Cynthia Wolff and Honorary Chair Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, a breast cancer survivor, celebrated the results of the record-breaking day, where more than $389,000 was raised for ACS breast cancer research, education, and support services.
The reception featured bottomless champagne glasses and a sold-out raffle of seven fabulous items, including charitable gifts from Porsche River Oaks and Porsche West Houston, David Peck and Tenenbaum. Many gathered in front of a beautiful floral wall to have their photos taken.
Emcee Gina Gaston Elie welcomed the crowd and introduced the chairpersons, who proudly greeted the audience and announced this was this event’s largest crowd to date. Honorees Nelda Blair, Chree Boydstun, Shelley Reeves Boyer, Cheryl Cruezot, Evelyn Leightman, Janette Marx, and Sue Smith were celebrated with a standing ovation at this annual gathering.
Honoree Evelyn Leightman was brought to the stage, where she gave an inspired and heartfelt speech and shared her 25-year cancer journey. Chief Patient Officer for American Cancer Society and keynote speaker Dr. Arif Kamal followed and spoke about the future of cancer across the country and gave a hopeful message about the organization’s efforts to end the disease.
Some interesting facts about the charity’s endeavors to date: ACS has funded every major breakthrough in breast cancer research, including mammography, early detection screening, and the lifesaving drug Tamoxifen. This has led to a 43% decline in the female breast cancer death rate. ACS has invested $78 million in breast cancer research, including 14 grants in Houston, totaling $8.5 million.
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Jennifer Allison, Fady Armanious, Dana Barton, Lara Bell, Sue Burnett, Kerri Carr, Tripp Carter, Allison Lewis Cattan, Susan Dray, Elsie Eckert, Ellen Elam, Lesha Elsenbrook, Mary Fasillo, Sidney Faust, Tena Faust, Marilu Garza, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Lindsey Herod, Winell Herron, Betty Hrncir, Nora Jarrard, Jayne Johnston, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Lindsey Leigh Holt, Donna Lewis, Emily Lewis, Frann Gordon Lichtenstein, Kelley Lubanko, Vicki Luna, Tama Lundquist, Christy Lynn, Cora Sue Mach, DeeDee Marsh, Marcie Mir, Trish Morille, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Barbara Nau, Roxann Neumann, Roz Pactor, David Peck, Leila Perrin, Sandra Porter, Franelle Rogers, Rosemary Schatzman, Stephanie Tsuru, Nancy Tucker, Kim Tutcher, Saula Valente, Terri Wang, Jill Watson, Darcie Wells, Gaye Lynn Zarrow, Courtney Zavala, Jeff Fehlis and Jenny Todd
