Houston-based Blue Cure Foundation tossed its hat into the high-profile fundraising ring on Friday with its inaugural lecture series and luncheon headlining Dr. Margaret Cuomo, author of A World Without Cancer, and announcing the first recipient of the Blue Cure Foundation Award.
Former U.S. Secretary of Education and former head of the Houston Independent School District Rod Paige accepted the award that henceforth will be named in his honor. It was double celebration at Hotel ZaZa where the ballroom of guests sang "Happy Birthday" to Paige, who was celebrating his 80th. Paige is a prostate cancer survivor and a foundation board member.
Luncheon chairs Carolyn Farb and Gabe Canales, a prostate cancer survivor and founder and president of Blue Cure, were joined at the helm by emcee KPRC Channel 2 news anchor Dominique Sachse, who welcomed guests to this, the inaugural Fred and Mabel R. Parks Lecture Series benefiting Blue Cure.
Cuomo's remarks focused on the forces of profit, personalities and politics that can obstruct significant progress in the prevention of cancer and curing the disease. She also touched on what individuals can do to live a cancer-free life.
Blue Cure supporters included Jonathan Blake, Mary and Tony Gracely, Deborah Colton, Winell Herron, Betty Hrncir, the Rev. Samuel Ratliff, Saundra and Ben Hall III, Bob Ivany, Maidie Ryan, Lily and Charles Foster, Sylvia and Gordon Quan, Beth Wolff, Ed Wulfe and Jack Christie.
Nick Florescu, from left, Dominique Sachse and Carolyn Farb at the inaugural Blue Cure luncheon and lecture.
