Jennifer Roosth
The Celebration Brings The City’s Philanthropic Set Together For A Night Of Diamond Rio, Pig Races, Casino Tables, Spirited Auctions & Heartfelt Stories
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Daniel Ortiz, Wilson Parish, and Jacob Power
THE SCENE: The American Cancer Society’s Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball, presented by Texas Oncology, blazed a new frontier in cancer funding, raising nearly $1.3 million as hundreds of supporters filled the massive fourth-floor ballroom of the Hilton-Americas Houston for the organization’s 39th annual signature fundraising event. Before ballroom doors opened, guests enjoyed an exclusive VIP reception and snapped photos with a live Texas steer. Attendees also purchased tickets for five fabulous sweepstakes prizes and tried their luck at the popular “Wine, Whiskey, and Spirits Pull.”
Guests watched a moving video tribute featuring Johnny Griffin of Sealy, Texas, a leukemia survivor and Texas Oncology patient whose journey included chemotherapy, more than 20 blood transfusions, and a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from a 26-year-old firefighter in Germany, his “genetic twin.” Now cancer-free, Griffin shared the emotional letter he received from his donor, leaving few dry eyes in the room.
Funds raised during the paddle raise were designated for the Bob Fund, established in memory of Bob Bowman, the late husband of American Cancer Society Board Chair Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman. Through the fund, Nelson-Bowman is working to raise $5 million to advance leukemia research in his honor. Committee honorees also included Survivor Honoree Evelyn Leightman, Mission Impact Honoree Donna and Norman Lewis, Healthcare Honoree HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, and Community Honoree Midway.
THE VIBE: Attendees two-stepped the night away to hits by country group Diamond Rio at this year’s “The New Frontier” themed celebration, which came to life with cacti, yellow roses, and succulents galore thanks to the dedication of chairs Abby Alford, vice president at Stream Realty Partners, and Maria Martinez, senior vice president at Murphy Oil Corporation, along with honorary chairs Robin and Danny Klaes and Trini Mendenhall-Royalty and Philip Royalty, and 100 volunteers and committee members. Together, they helped create a memorable night supporting the American Cancer Society’s vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Emceed by KHOU 11’s Kim Castro and 93Q Morning Show host Katelyn Maida, with Johnny “Bravo” Holloway as auctioneer, guests enjoyed western-inspired cuisine, cheered on the always-popular pig races, placed bets at the casino tables, and went head-to-head in bidding wars for premier live auction packages, including a special collection of three bracelets donated by Valobra Master Jewelers in memory of longtime Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball volunteer Kristen Cannon, honoring her legacy of dedication and service to the event. Other featured items included a 2026 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate, donated by Group 1 Buick GMC North, a luxury trip to France for the French Open with premium airfare, and a VIP Houston sports staycation experience.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 39th Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball Houston, chaired by Abby Alford and Maria Martinez, with Robin and Danny Klaes & Trini Mendenhall-Royalty and Phillip Royalty serving as honorary chairs, raised over $1.3 million for the American Cancer Society. Each year, the American Cancer Society’s Houston chapter raises over $7 million to provide services that improve the lives of people living through cancer and their families through advocacy, patient research, and support, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
