KidneyTexas, Inc. The Runway Report
(Photo: Therese Rourk, President, KidneyTexas, Inc.; Chris Rourk. Mary Lee Cox, luncheon co-chair. Donna Weitzman, luncheon co-chair; Herb Weitzman. Scroll down for Party Pics.)
KidneyTexas, Inc., The Runway Report Luncheon and Style Show
Highlighted Kidney Donors, Recipients and Fashions From
The KidneyTexas, Inc. luncheon and style show The Runway Report honored community leaders, kidney donors and recipients, spotlighting hot new fashions from style show sponsors St. John in Highland Park Village, TOOTSIES, Carla Martinengo and Vintage Martini in an upbeat runway presentation produced by Jan Strimple.
Brook Hollow Golf Club was filled to capacity as everyone joined friends for one of the favorite events of the season to benefit KidneyTexas, Inc. and its beneficiaries Parkland Health & Hospital Foundation, Children’s Medical Center Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, Camp Reynal and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Bidding in the silent auction began the morning with excitement as friends met and were seated at the runway fashion show, ready to enjoy the upcoming presentations.
Ron Corning, WFAA anchor and emcee, welcomed guests, congratulating KidneyTexas, Inc. on raising over $2.5 million in the past 15 years, stating their mission is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases, and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.
Therese Rourk, president, KidneyTexas, Inc, received a warm welcome as she greeted members and guests. She related the history of KidneyTexas and thanked everyone for their support. She also expressed her gratitude to major sponsors and introduced and thanked luncheon chairmen Donna Arp Weitzman and Mary Lee Cox.
Mary Lee gave the invocation and then introduced honorary chairs, Mike and Vinette Montgomery, Norm and Robin Bagwell, and Liz Minyard Lokey and Gretchen Minyard Williams.
Donna announced the honorees: Dr. Michel Baum, Children’s Health; Dr. Jim Brugarolas, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Richard Dickerman, M.D., F.A.C.S., Surgical Director, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, General and Vascular Surgery The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas; Rabbi William Gershon, Shearith Israel; Goran Klintmalm, MD, PhD, Chairman and Chief, Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute; Dr. Mark Lerman, Medical City Dallas; Dr. Henry Quinones, Parkland Health & Hospital System.
Ron announced the recipients of the Goodnight Service Award, Rosemary Haggar Vaughan, Isabell Haggar and Patty Jo Turner and posthumously honored Patty Haggar.
A favorite part of the fashion presentation is the Family Scene of KidneyTexas, Inc. when supporters and sponsor families who have underwritten this fashion segment model clothes from the fashion show sponsors. Models featured were Ciara Cooley, Courtney Rourk, Christina White and her daughter Caroline, and Linda Ivy.
Rabbi William Gershon of Shearith Israel shared his story of his heart operation and later, a kidney transplant, which almost didn’t happen. He thanked his congregation and the community for helping him face this challenge, leaving everyone with the message, “Never give up hope.”
As the lights went down, music filled the room and the fashion show revealed very wearable fashion trends for winter: gloves of all lengths, fur vests, flowing trousers, ankle-high shoes and boots, wonderful cocktail dresses and work wardrobes, casual ensembles and elegant evening dresses and gowns.
The spirited live auction featured many wonderful prizes, including a diamond 18 karat yellow and white gold wide style bracelet with 101 diamonds weighing in at 2.30 carats, a Deer Valley, Utah ski vacation and Mico Rodriguez, owner of Mr. Mesero Restaurant on Henderson donated two dinners for 25 couples each.
Luncheon of a bibb lettuce and spinach topped with stilton cheese, caramelized walnuts and fried parsnips was followed by an entrée of chicken Nanette, topped with Swiss cheese and supreme sauce, buttermilk whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus. Dessert was an absolutely delicious chilled chocolate soufflé.
As a very special treat, Tootsies hosted a post-luncheon champagne reception at their Preston Center boutique.
Visit the website at http://www.kidneytexas.org or contact 214-891-0896 – Fax: 214-368-3635 or email kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net
MISSION STATEMENT: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.
STATISTICS: Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.
HISTORY: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise almost $2.6 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.
Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Luncheon & Style Show in an effort to raise money for designated beneficiaries and awareness for a disease that affects millions of people each year. The success of this event depends heavily upon the contributions and dedication of our Dallas business and community leaders, and we’re asking for your support.
Media Sponsors: Modern Luxury Dallas, Park Cities News/The Waters Family, MySweetCharity.com
Photos by Dana Driensky and Daniel Driensky.
(Adams Communications Public Relations is honored to represent KidneyTexas, Inc. for all of its special events and has included this press release as part of its coverage.)
