A Ballroom of Handkerchiefs Waved to Honor a Medical Legend at Houston Hospice Community Spirit Award Dinner

A Ballroom of Handkerchiefs Waved to Honor a Medical Legend at Houston Hospice Community Spirit Award Dinner

Since 1980, Houston Hospice, our city’s leading provider of compassionate end-of-life care, has supported patients and families across 13 Texas counties. Recently, their 27th Annual Community Spirit Award was celebrated joyfully, with over 200 guests contributing to a total of $230,000 raised for the organization.

Chairpersons Michelle and Brian Dean, along with Honorary Chairs Dr. Jennifer and Todd Litton, and the ballroom audience, gathered to celebrate and honor the world-renowned U.T. MD Anderson Cancer Center surgical oncologist, beloved husband, father, friend, and “giver,” Dr. Paul F. Mansfield. He is cherished for his ability to “listen” to his patients and provide humor and comfort. He has long been recognized for carrying a handkerchief (taken from his left pocket) to give to a patient facing a harsh reality and say, “This one’s for you.” Attendees “saluted” him by waving their own handkerchiefs embroidered with his special words.

This year, a new feature was introduced to the annual dinner—a “High School Captains” table, comprising students from local high schools who were recruited to help raise funds for the event. Our future leaders and philanthropists will come from early opportunities to introduce them to these critical efforts.

As they do for many charitable events, H-E-B donated the beautiful floral centerpieces on each table.

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Lan and Adele Bentsen, Regina Rogers, Kay Mansfield, Todd Litton, Nancy and Al Gatmaitan, Anne and Bob Baillio, Tami and Tom Jorden, Sue White, Rob Bandy, Pete and Vivian VandenBout, Kennedi Hansenn, Ashton Huebner, Scott Huebner, Emily Wright, Lorraine Wright, Dr. Elizabeth Strauch, Sally Rice, Dr. Matt and Kristen Katz