Calling All Hearts: L&L Society Dallas Turns Out Loving Luncheon

40^th Annual St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show Benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Tamytha Cameron

Jessica Dale, Brittany Smalley, Lara Francis and Whitney Wedgeworth

THE SETTING: The 2024 St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show: Love Rises co-chairs Brooke Shelby and Samantha Wortley, with honorary chairs Debbie Hayhurst, Libby Hunt and Sharon McCullough, were joined by more than 600 attendees at the St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Lane Ray, Cathleen Griffith and Madelaine Lam

THE VIBE: Upon arrival, attendees, in their Valentine’s Day-inspired attire in shades of pink, purple and red, enjoyed a champagne reception followed by the program inside the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall where the following individuals were honored with this year’s awards: Luncheon co-founders Rusty Duvall and Janet Evans, ICON Award, the late Ryan Anthony, The Memorial Hero Award, Moll Anderson, Lynda Adleta Heart of Gold Award, and Campbell Fearing, The Spirit of Tom Landry Award. The highlight was a fashion show, produced by Jan Strimple, featuring this season’s latest spring looks from Highland Park Village retailers, including Alice + Olivia, FRAME, La Vie Style House, Lela Rose, Love Shack Fancy, and MARKET.

Attendees included LLS Red River Region executive director Leah Swanson, actress, author and philanthropist Alana Stewart, advisory chairs Maggie Kipp and Nancy Gopez, Kristin Hallam, Nancy Rogers, Peggy Sewell, Lynae Fearing and Doug Cochran, Wanda and Dean Fearing, Elisa Summers, Heather Washburne, Madison Strode, Lauren Laughry, Kate Boatright, Victoria Snee, Josie Sewell, Natalie Lesikar, Dawn Mellon, Katy Bock, Muffin Lemak, Susan Palma, Angie Kadesky, Tanya Foster, Lora Farris, Beth Thoele, and Elizabeth Gambrell.

Brooke Dowdy, Jessica Bolander and Jess Prescott

Tiffany Divis, Sunie Solomon, Katy Bock and Shannon Graham

THE NON-PROFIT: Happily, $750,000 was raised for the 40^th anniversary luncheon. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. To date the St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon has raised more than $15 million in its 40-year history.