Events Salute to Champions
On Friday, October 4th, more than 400 guests attended the 13th annual Salute to Champions fashion show and luncheon to benefit Texas Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center® and presented by Reliant Energy.
Emceed by Morning News co-anchor, Melissa Wilson of FOX 26, the fashion show featured Patient Champions, pediatric cancer patients from Texas Children's, walking the runway along side Community Champions, a group of generous Houstonians who do so much to help children battling cancer and make the community a better place. This year, 2 returning Community Champions and their Patient Champions returned to the runway to walk together once again. Caleb Cook, son of Melissa Wilson and former Patient Champion came back to give the invocation for this year’s event.
Before strutting down the runway in the latest fashion trends from Tootsies and Dillard’s, the Patient Champions enjoyed a fun morning of getting their hair and make-up done. Special thanks to The Penland Foundation for underwriting all the children’s attire for the event.
A big thank you to our long-time event chairs, Sidney Faust, Judi McGee, Elsie Eckert and Scott Basinger and the generous sponsors who underwrite the event to raise critical funds in support of research and patient care at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. This year an unprecedented amount of over $500,000 was raised for the Cancer Center.
Honorary Champions – Legacy Champions
Cathy and Joe Cleary
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Featured New Champions
Hetty and Tom Ball
Stacey Bourque
JP Bryan
Frances Moody and Tony Buzbee
Flora and Francis Choy
Shelly and Brian Hendry
Daniel Irion and Kirk Kveton
Donna and Norman Lewis
Kathleen and Tom Mach
Edna Meyer-Nelson
Dr. Laura Murillo
Gita and Ali Saberioon
Leanne Schneider
Huda Y. Zoghbi, MD