The Post Oak Hotel was awash in shades of blush, rose, and fuchsia as more than 650 supporters turned out for the American Cancer Society Quantum Capital Tickled Pink Luncheon presented by HEB. Chair Sippi Khurana and honorary chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson-Bowman, Donna Lewis, and Beth Wolff proudly steered the record-breaking affair, which raised an impressive $700,000 for breast cancer research, education, and patient support.
The scene inside the ballroom was a pink dreamscape, with blooms cascading across a floral photo wall where guests lined up for snapshots. Tables dressed in soft pink linens and shimmering accents set a cheerful yet poignant mood.
Fittingly, bottomless champagne glasses kept spirits bubbly, and a sweepstakes featuring seven enviable prizes sold out quickly, stoking the crowd's philanthropic energy.
ABC13's Gina Gaston emceed the afternoon, guiding attendees through moments of reflection and celebration. A particularly moving segment came when everyone in the ballroom was asked to stand if they had been personally impacted by cancer, whether as a survivor, caregiver, or supporter. In a striking visual, nearly every guest rose, underscoring the luncheon’s deep personal meaning.
Honorees Myrtle Jones, Leila Perrin, Brandi Sikes, Rick Smith, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow each had a favorite inspirational quote read aloud in their honor, while past honoree Janette Marx captivated the room with her powerful testimony of resilience during her breast cancer journey. The atmosphere shifted from misty-eyed emotion to energetic generosity during a lively paddle raise and auction, led by entertainer Johnny Bravo, where a Jared Lehr-designed jewel-studded necklace alone sparked a $36,000 bidding frenzy.
The event closed on a high note with keynote speaker and Olympic legend Shannon Miller, who spoke candidly about overcoming her own battle with cancer, leaving the crowd uplifted and inspired.
Among those in the crowd were Jennifer Allison, Nancy Almodovar, Ann Ayre, Alice Mao Brahms, Anna Bryant, Juliet Breeze, Sue Burnett, Cheryl Byington, Tripp Carter, Allison Lewis Cattan, Yvonne Cormier, Laura Davenport, Suzan Deison, Kathy De La Mora, Nancy Dinerstein, Lesha Elsenbrook, Donya Gardner, Gayla Gardner, Marilu Garza, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Maritza Gonzales, Lisa Graham-Garza, Sheri Gross, Winell Herron, Mady Kades, Brigitte Kalai, Mandy Kao, Evelyn Leightman, Stacey Lindseth, Julie Longoria Chen, Vicki Luna, Tama Lundquist, DeeDee Marsh, Janette Masten Gardner, Shawntell McWilliams, Jan Mendenhall, Sneha Merchant, Kim Moody, Patti Murphy, Roz Pactor, David Peck, Amy Pierce, Sandra Porter, Lauren Randle, Heidi Rockecharlie, Rosemary Schatzman, Elizabeth Stein, Marguerite Swartz, Katie Tsuru, Kim Tutcher, Phoebe Tudor, Betty Tutor, Merele Yarborough, Stuart Zarrow, and Jenny Todd. And many, many others.
Photo by Jacob Power
Leila Perrin, Brandi Sikes, Rick Smith, Myrtle Jones, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow.
