Actress, writer, producer, comedian shares profound impact breast cancer has had on her life
For more than 27 years, the Celebrating Women Luncheon has brought together donors, physicians, researchers, survivors and advocates around a shared purpose: advancing the fight against breast cancer in North Texas. This year, that tradition continues with a featured guest whose story brings new urgency to the importance of knowing your risk, understanding your family history and taking action earlier—opening the door to more options, more informed decisions and greater hope for women and families.
Actress, writer, producer and stand-up comedian Jackie Tohn will take the stage at the 27th annual Celebrating Women Luncheon on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. Best known for her role in Netflix’s hit series Nobody Wants This, Jackie will join award-winning NBC 5 anchor Meredith Land for a conversation that will bring her trademark humor and honesty to a deeply personal story of family, cancer risk and proactive care.
Earlier this year, Jackie publicly shared her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation. Her decision was influenced in part by her father’s diagnosis of metastatic male breast cancer, which led her family to hereditary cancer awareness and genetic testing. After meeting with a genetic counselor, Jackie learned she had a significantly elevated lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
At first, Jackie said, the information felt overwhelming. But the more she learned, the more she felt empowered to act, or “put on my big girl pants,” she has said of the moment she decided to move forward with surgery. Following her double mastectomy and reconstruction, doctors found multiple precancerous cells in both breasts—an outcome that reinforced her decision and strengthened her commitment to helping others understand their own risk.
Today, Jackie is using her platform to encourage others to ask questions, understand their family history and talk with their physicians about whether genetic testing may be right for them. She has pointed to “rare, young and multiple cancers” as family history clues worth raising with a doctor. Her message is clear: information can be frightening, but it can also be lifesaving.
That message aligns closely with the work Celebrating Women donors have made possible across Baylor Scott & White Health, including Genetic Counseling and the High-Risk Breast Screening Program, which help patients and families understand and manage inherited cancer risk.
“Stories like Jackie’s remind us that knowledge truly is power. When women understand their risk and have access to the right resources and care, they can make informed decisions that may change—or even save—their lives.”
-Cheryl Joyner, 2026 Celebrating Women Luncheon Co-chair
This year’s luncheon is co-chaired by a mother-daughter team, Cheryl Joyner and Courtney Joyner Gage. Cheryl has been a longtime supporter of Celebrating Women and served as underwriting chair in 2019, while Courtney has become a passionate advocate for younger women navigating genetic risk—a cause she says feels increasingly personal among women her own age.
We’re also thrilled to recognize Shelle and Dr. Michael Sills as the 2026 Celebrating Women Honorary Chairs. For nearly two decades, their generosity, leadership and steadfast commitment to Baylor Scott & White have helped shape and strengthen the impact of Celebrating Women.
“Shelle and Dr. Sills have been extraordinary champions of Celebrating Women and the patients and families this effort serves,” said Christina Goodman, president of Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation. “Their leadership has inspired others to join this important work, and they embody what it means to go above and beyond in service to others—through their leadership, advocacy and unwavering commitment to Baylor Scott & White. We are deeply grateful for all they do and incredibly proud to honor them this year.”
For nearly three decades, Celebrating Women has helped turn compassion into progress, raising more than $43 million for breast cancer research, early detection, treatment and patient-centered care in North Texas. This year’s luncheon carries that legacy forward, bringing the community together to support patients and families and build a future filled with greater hope.
Learn more about Celebrating Women.
