If Tony Awards were given for best orchestrated, most entertaining, high-earning fundraisers, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's 70th anniversary celebration at Minute Maid Park on Thursday night would have run away with top honors.

With an entertainment lineup that ranged from world-renowned mezzo-soprano Susan Graham to the still-going-strong Gatlin Brothers and production values worthy of Broadway, this evening scored high with a discerning crowd comprised of the top tier of community leadership. A trio of heart-wrenching testimonials from cancer survivors — James Wiley, Shelby Robin and John Holland — delivered the Anderson message of "making cancer history" and prompted plenty of tears even in this sophisticated gathering of 2,000.

The evening honored Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, who is stepping down after 15 years as Anderson president. (His replacement will be announced by the University of Texas board of regents early next week.) The $4.3 million raised for this evening will establish the Anne and John Mendelsohn Personalized Cancer Therapy Fund. That's the area of research that Dr. Mendelsohn plans to continue in at Anderson once his role as president is complete.

The Mendelsohns were introduced by two of their three sons — Eric and Jeffrey — who had flown in just for the occasion. "This is overwhelming. It melts our hearts," Anne said. As he looked across Minute Maid Park, Dr. Mendelsohn remarked, "You know, making cancer history is like baseball. It's a team sport."

The fast-paced program included honorary chairs Susan and James A. Baker III, a video tribute by honorary chairs President George H.W. Bush and Barbara, remarks from UT System chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, comments from UT board chairman Gene Powell and a presentation by Luci Baines Johnson. Master of ceremonies duties were shared by ABC Good Morning Americaweather anchor Sam Champion and CBS newsman Scott Pelley, named earlier this week as Katie Couric's replacement for the CBS Evening News.

Among the salient points of the program — M.D. Anderson serves 100,000 cancer patients each year, it employs 18,000, has 1,000 volunteers and has been consistently ranked as the nation's top cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

Taking bows for the success of the evening were program chairs Janet and Ernie Cockrell, Nancy Loeffler and Charline and Red McCombs of San Antonio.

The slate of entertainers provided a cultural feast that began with Alisa Pederson and the Encore Strings. By night's end, the audience had sampled everything from boogie woogie to Beethoven.

Following dinner, the Houston Symphony, under direction of Richard Kaufman, took the stage for the primary entertainment accompanied by a spectacular lighting presentation that reeled like a vibrant kaleidoscope throughout the night. In addition to Graham, internationally-acclaimed violinist Sarah Chang provided classical notes. That mood moved to country with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.

Soprano and cancer survivor Barbara Padilla continued the classical sounds and then, in a nod to Cinco de Mayo, was joined bythe University of Texas Pan-American Mariachi Aztlan and Ballet Folklorico Luz de Luna. The evening closed out with the Houston Children's Chorus, the Celebration Chorus and soul singer Mary Griffin. All the entertainers joined on stage for a rousing finale that sent guests home in high spirits. Applause, applause for Ward & Ames for orchestrating the spectacular evening and to New York-based lighting designer Herrick Goldman.

Among the highest donors contributing to Anderson's success were Jeri and Marc Shapiro, Jan Duncan, Patsy and Greg Fourticq, Maureen and Jim Hackett, Liz and Tom Glanville, Barbara and Charles Hurwitz, Elizabeth and Drayton McLane, Diane Lokey Farb, Kathy and Jeff Love, Janiece Longoria and Steve Lasher, Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, Courtney and Christopher Sarofim and Denise and Bill Monteleone.