Cancer Survivors — and Loved Ones Lost to the Disease — Get a Moment During CanCare’s Poignant 30th Anniversary Affair
Honoring the Lifesaving Value of Survivor Friendship
By Shelby Hodge //
Photography Daniel Ortiz
CanCare’s annual Survivors Luncheon always provides poignant moments and the 2021 event was no exception. Not only when cancer survivors were asked to stand in the ballroom of the Westin Memorial City, but also during the candle lighting ceremony when the 320 attendees lighted electric candles in memory of ones lost to cancer.
Donna Lewis, who chaired the luncheon with husband Norman Lewis, is herself a 30-year cancer survivor and it was apt that the duo, owners of beloved retailer Tootsies, helmed the event marking CanCare‘s 30th anniversary. Lewis has been a longtime volunteer with the organization that makes available the friendship and hope of a cancer survivor to anyone facing the disease.
Throughout the luncheon, the value of this honored cancer survivor friendship was emphasized perhaps no more strongly than when Shawntell McWilliams, Trez Art and Wine Bar owner, was interviewed by luncheon emcee Lisa Malosky. McWilliams spoke of her support team — her mother and sisters — that helped her through her battle with breast cancer, which was discovered only weeks before her wedding.
In an interesting twist to the appeal, those who donated to the cause received a tiny brass bell to ring, that in homage to the bell that cancer patients ring at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the end of treatment. It is a tradition, noted CanCare president and CEO Darcie Wells that has been adopted by cancer hospitals across the country. She added that the more than $250,000 proceeds from the luncheon will aid the nonprofit in expanding its mission and its services.
The event honored Shelaghmichael Brown, recipient of the Nancy Tucker Legacy Award, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and Pat Hogan-Korge, honored withe a special Sunflower Award for her volunteerism with CanCare of close to three decades.
PC Seen: Bonnie and David Weekley, Hallie Vanderhider, Elizabeth Stein, the Rev. Alf Halvorson, Leslie and Val Brock, Megan Vondra, Nancy and Tommy Tucker, Leigh Smith, Emily Lewis, Ali and Cy Cattan, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Melissa Juneau, Alicia Jansen, Ginger Blanton, Debbie Leighton, and Cristina and Steve Vetrano.
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