There is no doubting the personal popularity of Dr. Charles Fraser or the appreciation of his leadership as chief of Congenital Heart Surgery and Cardiac Surgeon In-Charge at Texas Children's Hospital. Case in point, the assemblage of 400 fans that turned out for the recent Fraser's Friends fundraiser.
Members of the philanthropic support group — dedicated to advancing patient care, education and research in surgery — gathered in the luxurious Boulevard Oaks home of Melissa and Brad Juneau.
The event echoed New Orleans (Brad is from Louisiana) at every turn, from the decor of the newly-renovated dwelling to the menu and party setting whipped up by Swift + Co.Elizabeth Swift and her team created a dreamy garden living area complete with outdoor couches, rustic wooden tables and a wall of boxwoods. On the menu — fried oysters, gumbo, frogs legs and more.
The Juneau's dedication to Fraser's Friends stems from the life-saving open-heart surgery that their daughter, Hailey, underwent at Texas Children's when she was 14. In a touching presentation, Linn Energy founder Mike Linn shared with the gathering his personal story of losing his son, Matthew, to a congenital heart defect which led to his passionate support of Fraser’s Friends.
Joining the friends group, which has raised nearly $3 million since its founding, were Rosie Meyers and Tony Gonzales, Joann and Dr. Michael Belfort, Tricia and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Louise and Dr. Denton Cooley, Nan and Bob Franklin and Karen and Dr. Seth Lerner.
Hosts Brad and Melissa Juneau with Dr. Charles Fraser, right, at Fraser's Friends dinner.
