The Power of Pink
Luncheon crowd breaks into conga line as "The Power of Pink" celebrated by more than 500
Only Geralyn Lucas — journalist, author of best-selling Why I Wore Lipstick (To My Mastectomy) and breast cancer survivor — could inspire such energy in a ballroom that she instigated a conga line of breast cancer survivors.
It came at the end of her remarks to the gathering of more than 500 at the Westin Houston Memorial City. She asked all breast cancer survivors to join her on stage and as the song "Happy" concluded her program, the ladies formed that conga line back to their tables, a move that had the entire crowd on their feet clapping.
The highly-energized luncheon raised more than $300,000 for the Bobetta Lindig Breast Care Center at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. Dr. Yvonne Cormier and Claire Cormier-Thielke chaired the annual "Razzle Dazzle Power of Pink" fundraiser. Donna Vallone served as honorary chair.
It was a special day for honoree Cora Sue Mach, also a breast cancer survivor. She was joined at the luncheon by her family — husband Harry Mach and their two sons and daughters-in-law — Butch and Carmen Mach and Steve and Joella Mach. City Councilwoman Brenda Stardig surprised Mach with a city proclamation naming Oct. 1 as Cora Sue Mach Day in Houston.
"Power of Pink" celebrants included Memorial Hermann Foundation executive vice president and CEO Ileana Trevino, Holly Alvis, Jan Duncan, Jo Lynn Falgout, Lora Clemmons, Winell Herron, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Hallie Vanderhider, Gina Gaston, Mady Kades and Stacy Johnson.