This year’s Celebrating Women Luncheon was a cornucopia of amazing people and announcements at the Hilton Anatole on Friday, October 31. Event Co-Chairs Lindsay Ballotta and Carolyn Brown touched all bases of why the Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation has supported breast cancer research for 26 years.
Lindsay Ballotta, Clea Shearer and Carolyn Brown
They could have just stopped having legendary breast cancer oncologist Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy as the honorary chair. Why her devoted like patients Melissa Ireland and former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, associates Dr. Ronan Kelly and her family including husband Ed O’Meara alone could have filled the ballroom. Each had a special appreciation and connection to the diminutive specialist who has been leading the advancement of research and treatments for breast cancer.
Joyce O’Shaughnessy and Ed O’Meara and Laura Miller
Melissa Ireland
Joyce O’Shaughnessy and Ronan Kelly
But Foundation President Christina Goodman only heightened the occasion with the announcement of the creation of the Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy Endowment For Innovation And Hope In Breast Cancer. She then followed that up with the presentation of the Circle Of Care Award to President Mike Lunceford and the late Mary Kay Ash‘s great granddaughter Jessica Baer for the millions of dollars that Mary Kay Ash Foundation has funded research.
Christina Goodman, Joyce O’Shaughnessy, Jessica Baer and Mike Lunceford
They could have stopped there, but a conversation moderated by Pat Smith with breast cancer survivor/business woman/The Home Edit Co-Founder Clea Shearer, who shared her journey from “firing on all cylinders” to enduring a double mastectomy, both chemo and radiation treatments and 15 surgeries in three years.
Pat Smith and Clea Shearer
While the post is being finished up, check out the people celebrating women at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.