Held Thursday, February 11th at the Chantilly Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole Hotel, this year’s theme was “La Vie en Rose” after the famous movie starring Edith Piaf, which was recently remade with Marion Cotillard. A notable sidebar is that Rainey Fogiel was raised in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and her first language is French. The fashion show, once again produced by over-the-top fashion master, Jan Strimple, featured designer Lela Rose’s spring line and many other fabulous selections from Stanley Korshak’s top designer frocks. Modern Luxury Dallas was the media sponsor of the event.
Gigi Potter received the Lynda Adleta Heart of Gold Award, which is given to an adult individual or couple with a “heart of gold,” known for working tirelessly to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Another important award was presented at the luncheon: The Spirit of Tom Landry Character Award, which recognizes a youth with courage, integrity, dignity and dauntless spirit who has battled blood cancer through personal experience or who has volunteered extensively on behalf of others who suffer from blood cancer. This year’s recipient, Zach Rigby, a freshman at the University of Texas San Antonio, is the son of Cindy and Steve Rigby of Frisco. Zach was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during his junior year at John Paul II High School and has courageously battled the disease while volunteering countless hours to the fight against blood cancers. Mrs. Tom Landry (Alicia), a beloved figure in Dallas, made this award presentation escorted by former Dallas Cowboy Randy White. The cause is close to her heart, as she lost her husband to blood cancer.
New this year was an auction with online bidding beginning January 10 at www.biddingforgood.com/llsvalentinesday. Auction items included Two American Airlines Business Class tickets to Europe, a Vacation for Eight at a fabulous Villa in Los Cabos, and a Dinner for Ten hosted by Kent and Tracy Rathbun. There was also a raffle with prizes including $1000 gift certificates to the Highland Park Village, Rich Hippie Boutique, HB Butcher Shop, Neu Med Spa, Wisteria an Elizabeth Showers necklace, a night’s stay at The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and certificates to Top Dallas Restaurants.
Clarice Tinsley, anchor for the Dallas/Fort Worth Fox TV affiliate, has graciously emceed our program year after year, helping us raise awareness of the event and its cause by developing public service announcements aired during primetime. The positive energy generated throughout the community by this event has been key to 26 years of successful fundraising for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A Facebook page, www.facebook.com/saintvalentinesdayluncheon, has been created for the event, a first ever this year.
The Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show® is one of the leading fundraising events for North Texas Chapter and one of the top fundraising galas for the Society nationwide. Now in its 26th year, the 2010 Luncheon raised more than $400,000, adding to nearly $6.5 million generated over the past two decades.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Call Michelle Northcutt at 972-996-5912, Michelle.Northcutt@lls.org or visit saintvalentinesdayluncheon.org.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested $600 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 5.1 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Call Michelle Northcutt at 972-354-8309, Michelle.Northcutt@lls.org or visit www.lls.org/ntx/valentines. |
