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    party watch

    Fab Houstonians and celebs toast the golden years with jazzy soiree

    Lori Freese
    Jun 19, 2018 | 6:26 pm
    Great Age Jazz Luncheon JoAnne King Herring Buzz Aldrin Anka Faur
    Joanne King Herring, Buzz Aldrin, and Anka Faur.
    Photo by Quy Tran

    More than 200 of Houston’s most philanthropic hearts celebrated The Great Age Movement’s 2nd Annual Jazz Luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown.
    Performing a toe-tapping jazz tribute to Duke Ellington, Bubba McNeely and music partner Phillip Bedair kicked off the high energy luncheon. Local PBS host and master of ceremonies Ernie Manouse then introduced The Great Age Movement founder, Fritz J. McDonald.

    McDonald, a full time in-home physical therapist, shared his commitment to mobilizing the senior population through sustainable community projects in the Houston and surrounding areas. McDonald passionately drove home the GAM mission, which is to fund senior playgrounds in available green spaces and to develop volunteer-led programs that promote health, learning, and socialization with in the individual and the community.

    GAM Jazz Luncheon co-chairs Staci Henderson and Barbara Reyna showed their power by bringing together honorary chairs Dr. Carolyn Farb and world-renowned jeweler to the stars, Peter Martino. KHOU’s Deborah Duncan introduced event honoree Mercedes Ellington, legendary Broadway choreographer and dancer who is also the granddaughter of Jazz great Duke Ellington. Standing just over five feet tall, the strength and power this 79-year-old wields was palpable. She and Antonio Conde of River Oaks School of Dancing took to the dance floor and set the crowd on fire with their highly energized and supremely sexy Latin dance number. They were so engaging the audience was up dancing with them during their standing ovation and encore.

    The star power continued when international socialite, global political activist and GAM honoree Joanne King Herring was introduced by business titan Welcome Wilson, Sr. If these two weren’t enough, the historic moments continued as Farb took the mic to introduce and interview astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Dr. Aldrin spoke about his passion for working with those who suffer from depression and how the keys to a long life are getting moving, engaging with others, and to live with purpose.

    The program wrapped up with one last fund-raising whirlwind with both live and silent auction items from exotic trips, art, one of a kind custom clothing pieces, live paintings by Patti Lennon Potter and Edgar Medina, and exquisite fine jewels from jeweler Martino.

    Seen the crowd were: Brigitte Falai, Shirlee and John Jamail, Jr., Joan Wilson, Farida Hasanali, Deanna Rawlings, Graydon Parrish, Stan and Amanda Abiassi, Bob Nowak, Councilman Jack Christie, Robin and Tom Segesta, Dan Zindler, Isrel Fonseca, Laura Goodson, Tracy Faulkner, Joan Wilson, Anika Jackson, Quang Henderson, M.D., Gregg Harrison, Wade Knight, Marie and Wallace Dillard, Neera Patidar, Margarita and Matt Walker, Ally Shell-van Koolwijk, and Jeff Shell.

    Joanne King Herring, Buzz Aldrin, and Anka Faur.

    Great Age Jazz Luncheon JoAnne King Herring Buzz Aldrin Anka Faur
      
    Photo by Quy Tran
    Joanne King Herring, Buzz Aldrin, and Anka Faur.
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    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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