While her peers were searching for jobs and settling into post-college life, Caroline Pratt Cohn was facing one of life’s biggest challenges: fighting breast cancer. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease shortly after finishing college in 2019, Caroline endured six rounds of chemotherapy, 32 rounds of radiation and four surgeries. This past October, at 27, Caroline stood before nearly 1,000 attendees at the 25th Anniversary Celebrating Women Luncheon as a survivor, delivering a powerful invocation filled with gratitude for the support that helped her through her journey.
“Breast cancer will always be part of my life story,” Caroline said. “I had no family history and no genes that put me at risk for this diagnosis. I was 22 years old,” she added, underscoring the importance of early detection and the life-saving work funded by Celebrating Women.
Silver Jubilee Celebration
Caroline’s journey is just one of many that has been supported by the impact of Celebrating Women. As the event marked its 25th anniversary, it highlighted how collective action and community support can change lives. Since its inception, this effort has raised more than $42 million for research, patient-centered care and advancements in early detection.
Caroline Pratt Cohn, above
For Linda Custard, the Celebrating Women Silver Jubilee Presiding Chair (shown right), this cause is quite personal. Her mother passed away from breast cancer, and Linda also battled the disease. She expressed gratitude for advancements that Celebrating Women has helped fuel, including research, prevention and care.
“Today, I am grateful for the bonds we as survivors and thrivers have with each other, for the leaders who have gone before us, and for all those in this room and our community who have supported the fight through their gifts.”
This sense of shared purpose was further acknowledged by recognizing all 25 years of previous Celebrating Women chairwomen, who collectively served as this year’s Council of Honorary Chairs. In a video, several past chairs shared how they became involved in Celebrating Women and reflected on the event’s impact on the community—and, in some cases, in their own lives.
“These past 25 years could not have happened without the leadership, friendship and support of our former Celebrating Women chairs,” said Kristi Sherrill, chief philanthropy and community affairs officer at Baylor Scott & White Health. “They created a lasting legacy of impact.”
Gratitude for Loyal Donors and Sponsors
This year’s luncheon marked another major milestone: Tom Thumb and Albertsons Companies Foundation marked its 20th year as presenting sponsor. Their two decades of support have made a lasting impact in the lives of North Texas women facing breast cancer.
“Celebrating Women is a mission that our people feel connected to,” Christy Lara, director of public relations for Tom Thumb and Albertsons, said, adding that their dedication stems from a desire to make a tangible difference within their community. “It’s not just stats we’re here to improve; it’s directly helping our neighbors, our colleagues—and often—our very own loved ones.”
Christy expressed gratitude for other donors whose contributions fueled critical advancements in breast cancer care and research with gifts of $100,000 or more this milestone year: Bellevue Foundation, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation and Mrs. W.H. Smith.
Shared Stories Highlight Impact
The luncheon was a powerful testament to the importance of supporting breast cancer research and care, as evidenced by the many women who shared their personal experiences with the disease. A video shown during the luncheon showcased the journeys of three breast cancer survivors: Donna Bowers, Mary Morton and Carolyn Brown.
Two of the women had shared their breast cancer journey during previous Celebrating Women luncheons, and the new video allowed them to update the audience about how they’re doing now.
“Last time you were here, we all kind of wondered, ‘Was I going to make it?’ Spoiler alert! I’m here,” Carolyn said in the video. “The women at the Celebrating Women lunch in 2010 may have saved my life, and that’s what we need to do for the women in 2030.”
Later, survivors from across the 25 years of Celebrating Women were honored on stage, representing the courage and resilience of countless women who have faced this disease. “What an incredible honor it is to stand beside 25 years of survivors,” said Ben Renberg, president of the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, who spoke at the luncheon. “You represent courage beyond measure and inspire everyone in this room.”
Ben also talked about the importance of ongoing research in the fight against breast cancer. “Leading the way are Dr. Ronan Kelly and Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy,” he said. Ronan Kelly, MD, is the director of oncology, Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and chief of oncology, North Texas Division, Baylor Scott & White. Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, is the Celebrating Women Chair in Breast Cancer Research at Baylor Scott & White.
“With support from this year’s luncheon, they are enrolling patients in a first-of-its-kind study exploring how new weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro® could play a role in reducing breast cancer recurrence,” Ben said. “This trial is 100% supported through philanthropy, and if successful, could be a game-changer for those at high risk of recurrence.”
Olivia Munn Shares Her Connection to the Cause
The event concluded with a conversation between moderator René Syler, a breast cancer “thriver” herself, and featured guest Olivia Munn. An actress, advocate and survivor, Olivia brought her unique perspective to the stage, as she shared her own breast cancer journey with honesty and openness.
Despite having normal mammograms and genetic testing results that showed no cancer-causing gene mutations, Olivia’s doctor performed a breast cancer risk assessment, which indicated she was still at high risk. In 2023, Olivia had an MRI and learned she had breast cancer in both breasts. A biopsy showed it was an aggressive, fast-growing subtype of the disease. Olivia underwent a double mastectomy and oophorectomy to reduce exposure to the hormones that the breast cancer was dependent on. She is now a vocal advocate for risk assessments, which can help women understand their risk and intercept cancer earlier—a mission closely aligned with the Baylor Scott & White High-Risk Breast Screening Program.
Olivia shared the emotional and physical challenges of her recent diagnosis, expressing gratitude for the support from her husband, family and physicians.
Olivia Munn, actress, model and breast cancer survivor
“You have to be the one to walk the path and fight it,” Olivia said of those diagnosed with breast cancer, “but you’re not doing it alone.” Her words resonated with the audience, which was packed with fellow survivors, physicians, researchers and generous donors who have united around this cause for so many years.
The 25th anniversary of Celebrating Women was a testament to the power of community, resilience and hope. Through shared stories, heartfelt gratitude and a commitment to fueling research, the event honored the past, celebrated the present and looked toward a future of new innovations, treatments and care for women and families facing a breast cancer diagnosis.
