Event Date: October 6, 2023
Location: The Post Oak at Uptown
Event: Luncheon
Beneficiaries: Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Center at Texas Children’s Hospital
No. in attendance: 400+
Money Raised: $500,000
Chairpersons: Scott Basinger, Elsie Eckert, Sidney Faust, Judi McGee
Legacy Community Champions: Mady and Ken Kades, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Sharleen and Ron Walkoviak
Community Champions: Maria Moncada Alaoui, Cheryl Byington, Zane and Brady Carruth, Elia Gabbanelli, Connie Kwan-Wong, Tama Lundquist and Dr. Peter Farrell, Rania and Dr. Ramy Mankarious, Kim and Dan Moody, III, Jo Ann Petersen, Susan Peterson, Jennifer Saunders and Judge Clarease and Cary Yates
Patient Champions: Jaden Jackson, Tess Dains, Charlotte Blasei, Landon Allen, Avery Speaks, Eden Green, Kelsey Haynes, Grayson Wade, Madyson Rivera, Blessing Olaleye, Chrishell Maxie, Maisie Rae Martinez, Arian Silva, Trace Langin, Paxton Pulido, Payton Angelle and Betty Williams
Emcee: Melissa Wilson
Photography: Texas Children’s Hospital
Children Walked the Walk and Stole the Show at the “Salute to Champions Luncheon and Fashion Show”
For the 12th year, chairpersons Scott Basinger, Elsie Eckert, Sidney Faust and Judi McGee welcomed guests to the Salute to Champions Luncheon and Fashion Show, held again this year at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown and benefiting Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center at Texas Children’s Hospital.
More than 400 gathered to celebrate with emcee and Fox 26 anchor Melissa Wilson and Legacy Community Champions Mady and Ken Kades, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Sharleen and Ron Walkoviak and Community Champion Honorees Maria Moncada Alaoui, Cheryl Byington, Zane and Brady Carruth, Elia Gabbanelli, Connie Kwan-Wong, Tama Lundquist and Dr. Peter Farrell, Rania and Dr. Ramy Mankarious, Kim and Dan Moody, III, Jo Ann Petersen, Susan Peterson, Jennifer Saunders and Judge Clarease and Cary Yates.
What makes this event so very special, is the walk down the runway with the Legacy and Community Champions and the sixteen “Patient Champions.” These youngsters garnered that moniker from undergoing treatment at Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Center. They were paired with Legacy and Community Champions to walk the catwalk. The kids looked dapper and elegant as well, thanks to Champion Jo Ann Petersen, who sponsored their fashions from Dillards. Strutting down the runway in front of their Community Champions and making the most of their moments in the spotlight were Jaden Jackson, Tess Dains, Charlotte Blasei, Landon Allen, Avery Speaks, Eden Green, Kelsey Haynes, Grayson Wade, Madyson Rivera, Blessing Olaleye, Chrishell Maxie, Maisie Rae Martinez, Arian Silva, Trace Langin, Paxton Pulido, Payton Angelle and Betty Williams. Proud parents and attendees were on their feet as the joyful duos made their way forward to great music. Kudos to Len Matuszewski Event Productions for their production with the runway show!
All smiles from Texas Children’s Hospital, as more than $500,000 was raised from the luncheon, which was crowned as the highest-grossing Salute to Champions in its history!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Dr. Susan Blaney, Warner Roberts, Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Kirk Kveton, Daniel Irion, Saula Valente, Omar Alaoui, Bill Stubbs, Kurt Grether, Cora Sue Mach, Trish Morille, Tena Lundquist, Marge Lundquist, Ed McMahon, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Betty and John Hrncir, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Les Eckert, Rini Ziegler, Neela Krishnamurthy, Linda Kuykendall, Kathy Mann, Sharon Owens, Beth Wolff, Jerre Williams, Raquel Lewis, Maureen Higdon, Astrid Van Dyke, Kathi Rovere, Sybil Roos
