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    sunday tea time

    Elegant Houstonians take in a storybook Ultimate Teddy Bear Tea Party

    Steven Devadanam
    Feb 20, 2019 | 3:30 pm

    The scene seemed straight from the children's classic Madeline: dozens of impossibly lovely children and their parents in their Sunday finest, happily nibbling away at finger sandwiches and other fare in a tranquil hall festooned with stunning floral displays, teddy bears, and a dazzling balloon wall centerpiece.

    The little girls were mild and mannerly. The little boys? Well, someone had to dive-bomb and tackle the 4-foot teddy bears, yes?

    Such was The Ultimate Teddy Bear Tea Party, an elegant (and lively) Sunday affair offering a new twist on the St. Regis Hotel’s traditional Teddy Bear Tea. The new spin on the time-honored St. Regis event spotlighted children’s health, namely heart health. The tea was the perfect showcase for Children’s Heart Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and its game-changing work — especially in pediatric, open-heart surgery — with many of the highly specialized procedures only done at the Children’s Heart Center and a handful of other centers in the country.

    In her welcome remarks, Susie Distefano, CEO of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital noted that the Children’s Heart Center is one of only 13 programs in the U.S. and Canada to receive the highest level distinction (a 3-out-of-3 star rating) from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, which evaluates over 119 programs. This distinction makes the Children’s Heart Center among the elite for congenital heart surgery programs in the U.S. and Canada.

    A striking and often poignant video followed, centering on the lifesaving work of Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami, who recently corrected a congenital heart defect in 8-year-old pediatric heart patient, Ethan Page. Triumphantly, Ethan was back playing baseball just weeks later, and instead bearing a massive chest scar from the procedure, enjoys a minimal memory from a small incision is his armpit.

    The engaging and dashing Dr. Dodge-Khatami (new to Houston but sure to be a Med Center star soon) spoke at length about giving children the greatest opportunity for a normal life. He cited procedures he performs that are only done in a handful of centers in the country, including biventricular repair and recruitment; full, one-stage repair in newborns; and minimally invasive right axillary repair.

    “We don’t want these kids to focus on their scars,” he told CultureMap. “We want them to focus on living and enjoying life.”

    And enjoy they did, as they lined up for activities such as CPR on teddy bears to the tune of the Bee Gees’ classic, “Stayin’ Alive.” (The song beat famously matches the beat needed to perform CPR on a person’s chest.) Kids packed the giant, 8-foot-long “Operation” game to play surgeon, jumped on two Pump It Up Prime dance machines, played toss with Corn Hole and heart-shaped bean bags, and got crafty at the Valentine’s arts station.

    The St. Regis’ Teddy Bear mascot greeted guests and guests snapped photos with the CMHH mascot, Topper the Giraffe. A colorful Donut Wall was displayed in the ballroom lobby where guests could grab a treat upon exiting. Speaking of grabbing treats, adults were invited to steal away to the fab Bloody Mary bar, which provided refreshment (and occasional reprieve) from the kids’ playhouse.

    As an added dash of tea time tastefulness, at the close of the event, guests discovered party favors in their cars that included a note from the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital family, along with a handy CPR instructional card in English and Spanish, and a Gund teddy bear wearing a t-shirt resembling a lab coat and stethoscope as well as the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital logo.

    Bravo, then, to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and event chairs Jennifer Allison, Monica Bickers, Laura Davenport, Christine Falgout, Melissa Juneau, and Rachel Regan for hosting an event with style, grace, and heart.

    Only one burning question, one from hopeful parents, remains: Would you please host this Teddy Bear Tea every Sunday?

    Seen in the distinguished crowd were: Christine Falgout and Bill Gutknecht, Lindley Arnoldy, Rachel Regan, Laura Davenport, Melissa Juneau, Valerie Dieterich, Monica Bickers, Dr. Jorge Salazar and April Salazar, Jennifer Allison, Sarah Snyder, Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami and Dr. Jannika Dodge-Khatami, and Susie Distefano.

    Rachel Regan and her two children.

    Houston Ultimate Teddy Bear Tea Party St. Regis Children's Memorial Hermann
      
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Rachel Regan and her two children.
    healthkidsfamilies
    news/society

    Stories of Strength

    Lights of love shine during Houston cancer charity’s emotional gathering

    Joel Luks
    Jun 20, 2025 | 3:47 pm
    CanCare Hope Survivorship Luncheon 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Darcie Wells, Meredith Beaupre, and Nick Adam.

    There wasn’t a dry eye or an empty seat in the house as 400 guests filled River Oaks Country Club for CanCare’s annual Hope Survivorship Luncheon. The gathering, chaired by Michele Leal Farah and Tony Bradfield, raised more than $350,000 to fuel CanCare’s mission of providing peer support to those facing cancer.

    In a show of community continuity, six years of former luncheon chairs joined in celebration, including Donna and Norman Lewis, Jordan Seff, Kelley Lubanko, Stephanie Tsuru, honorary chair Frank Tsuru, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, and 2026 luncheon chair Kristy Bradshaw.

    Emceed by longtime supporter Lisa Malosky, the program introduced CanCare’s newest literary endeavor — Hope in the Face of Cancer — a moving collection of stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. President and CEO Darcie Wells framed the book as both inspiration and action, echoing the nonprofit’s mission to pair cancer patients and caregivers with trained survivors.

    Generosity flowed early, with Giving Tree gift cards snatched up before lunch began and a glittering raffle sponsored by Tenenbaum Jewelers offering winners the pick of dazzling jewelry or coveted Astros Diamond Club seats.

    This year’s honorees reflected the many sides of the cancer fight. Corporate Honoree JP Morgan Chase was represented by Nick Adam and Meredith Beaupre, who spoke to the bank’s commitment to local impact. Healthcare Honoree Dr. Katy Rezvani, a pioneering force at MD Anderson Cancer Center, also delivered the keynote address, sharing breakthroughs from her work as vice president of the Cell Therapy Institute. Community Honorees, the Mir Family, embodied resilience with Marisa Mir, Beckie Mir, Marcie Mir, Gasper Mir III, and Gasper Mir IV all recognized for their shared journey.

    The emotional centerpiece of the afternoon was the candle lighting ceremony, which filled the room with flickering flames held high in memory of loved ones. Keith Saathoff followed with a powerful testimonial, and nearly every attendee gave in the appeal that followed.

    Part of the luminous gathering were Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Jordan Seff, Vanessa Ames, Megan Vondra, Fady Armanious, Titus Harris, Kristen Cannon, Leigh Smith, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Vicki Luna, Anne Neeson, Ileana and Michael Trevino, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Jennifer Allison, Lesha Elsenbrook, Denise Monteleone, Katie Tsuru, Cathy Brock, Creighton Edwards, Christy Lynn, Michael Fife, John Nau, Martiza Gonzales, and Heidi Rockcharlie.

    CanCare Hope Survivorship Luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Darcie Wells, Meredith Beaupre, and Nick Adam.

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