Go Inside The 35th Annual Children’s Cancer Fund Gala That Dazzled In A $3 Million Night

Beloved Organization Enlists Fashion, Sports Stars & Celebs To Raise Funds

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Tamytha Cameron and Tiffany Sage/BFA.com

THE SCENE: The Hilton Anatole in Dallas was the setting for one of North Texas’ most successful nonprofit events that also doubled as a milestone celebration for the organization. Over a thousand of North Texas’s top community leaders, advocates, sociables, and philanthropists participated in the 35^th annual Children’s Cancer Fund Gala. The dazzling evening included touching tributes and an epic runway show that resulted in an event for the ages.

THE VIBE: The cocktail-attired crowd wore an array of ensembles in the blue, white, and silver family as a nod to the generations of Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks who have supported this event over the past 35 years. The result was a warm, welcoming environment for all who attended.

The night began with a lively cocktail hour in the foyer outside the Hilton Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom. After guests cozied up to the bar to grab their favorite spirit, they had no shortage of fun things to experience. Many took to the beautiful tribute wall highlighting key moments of the Children’s Cancer Fund, not just of the annual gala, but also of the organization’s beginnings in the early 1980s.

Others could be seen perusing the impressive silent auction items, including several pieces donated by Dallas Cowboys players that had donors frequently checking their phones. Others could be spotted taking a peek at special silent auction items on the “Big Board,” a giant digital screen for an added, innovative impact in the presence of the silent auction. Many revelers also participated in a live 360 photo booth to commemorate the milestone night.

The doors to the Hilton Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom then opened as guests headed to their seats for the main program. Revelers’ jaws dropped as they were treated to a dazzling room with a long runway covered with icicle lights, continental and round tables donned with stunning hydrangeas that added to the beauty and elegance of the evening.

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, moving the night’s festivities at a fun, brisk pace. As guests dined on their multi-course meals, they were treated to words from event leaders thanking them for their support over the past 35 years, including a video tribute from Former President George W. Bush. Current Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott, and Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Emeritus, Troy Aikman then took to the stage, thanking guests for their support of the organization over the years.

The festivities continued with a fashion show where twenty children who have survived or are experiencing cancer walked the runway accompanied by local and national celebrities. The fashion show, sponsored by Dillard’s, showcased the power of the organization’s work uniquely and frequently brought the crowd to their feet.

Children’s Cancer Fund CEO Jennifer Arthur and Brent Christopher took to the stage for a very special announcement and innovative new initiative. Creating a new pediatric campus with Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center will provide cutting-edge, world-class care for children with cancer in North Texas.

Next came a spirited live auction and paddles up helmed by Wendy Lambert. Paddles went up as revelers bid on an array of luxury experiences, including a custom Alice+Olivia gown, Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the iconic Blue Box Café, a luxury private home at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, and a Dallas Cowboys Luxury Suite package, emerging as the most popular.

The night concluded with an epic grand finale.  The twenty children who had earlier strutted down the runway, walked the runway together, and brought the crowd to their feet, with a few tears shed as guests stood in awe of the bravery of these courageous survivors. The finale powerfully showcased to the audience the incredible impact and reach that this beloved North Texas organization has had on the community for the past several decades.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 35^th annual Children’s Cancer Fund Gala, co-chaired by Lori Jones and Meredith Land, with Troy Aikman and Dak Prescott serving as honorary chairs, raised over $3 million for the Children’s Cancer Fund. Since its founding in 1982, the organization has worked tirelessly to fulfill its mission of creating a brighter future for children with cancer by investing in innovation, inspiring hope, and providing resources for compassionate care.