Celebrating Women Luncheon hits milestone anniversary with more than $40 million raised in the fight against breast cancer.
People often refer to breast cancer patients as heroes, a label that acknowledges a woman’s bravery and strength.
But breast cancer survivor Carolyn Brown doesn’t consider herself a hero, despite enduring six months of chemotherapy, radiation and five surgeries to combat stage 3, triple-negative breast cancer in 2016 and 2017.
For Carolyn, the real heroes are the Baylor Scott & White Health clinicians
who cared for her and her family, including her then 6-year-old son, Jack, while she was fighting for her life. Generous Celebrating Women donors are also heroes in Carolyn’s eyes.
Speaking at the recent Celebrating Women kickoff and letter-signing event, Carolyn addressed committee members, emphasizing the impact her care team and donors have had on her life.
“You have been here for 25 years raising money and awareness,” Carolyn said. “You didn’t know me, yet you were doing work that benefited me.”
Carolyn’s words highlighted the significant impact that Celebrating Women funds have had on her and other breast cancer patients in North Texas. Over the past 25 years, Celebrating Women has been instrumental in advancing the diagnosis, treatment and care of those facing breast cancer. Since its launch in 1999, the annual event has raised more than $40 million, fueling advanced technology, innovative clinical research and programs that offer support for patients and their families throughout their journey.
The 25th Anniversary Celebrating Women Luncheon will be held Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. For the 20th consecutive year, Tom Thumb and Albertsons Companies Foundation will serve as the luncheon’s presenting sponsor.
“Celebrating Women donors have been instrumental in helping provide breast cancer patients access to clinical trials, genetic counseling and patient navigators, to name a few,” said Lucy Wallace, MD, breast surgeon and medical director of the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Center at Baylor University Medical Center. “As someone who cares for breast cancer patients every day, I see firsthand the impact these programs have on patients and their families—impact that wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of Celebrating Women donors over the past quarter century.”
You have been here for 25 years raising money and awareness. You didn’t know me, yet
you were doing work that benefited me.”
— Carolyn Brown
Reuniting to continue the fight
Carolyn’s experience is a testament to how Celebrating Women efforts have allowed Baylor Scott & White to advance the fight against breast cancer—a fight that will continue for the 20,000 Texas women who are diagnosed with this disease each year.
Celebrating Women organizers and committee members are up to the task. Serving as the 25th Anniversary Celebrating Women Silver Jubilee Presiding Chair, Linda Custard’s dedication to women’s health and her continued advocacy for those facing breast cancer are inspiring.
“When we think about women who’ve had a great impact in Dallas, Linda’s name is always top of mind,” Christina Goodman, vice president of development for the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, saId. “Her support over the years helped pave the way for the launch of Celebrating Women and we are incredibly grateful to have her join us in this fight.”
The Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation is also honored to have all of the former Celebrating Women chairmen serving together as the Council of Honorary Chairs.
As Linda and the Honorary Chairs signed letters during the kickoff event, Carolyn shared that Jack, who is now 13, was recently recognized at school with a humanitarian award for showing care and compassion to his classmates. As a cancer survivor, Carolyn was grateful to be able to watch her son receive the award.
“What happened in our family when he was younger—and Baylor Scott & White helping my whole family during that adversity —was a huge support for Jack,” Carolyn told the Celebrating Women committee.
“I can’t imagine what life was like for those beautiful women going through breast cancer 25 years ago,” Carolyn said. “It was rough when I went through it. It’s rough for women going through it now.But the work you have done and continue to do gives us hope.”
For more information about how you can sponsor or support this year’s effort, visit BSWHealth.com/CelebratingWomen or call 214.820.4500.
