KidneyTexas, Inc. The Runway Report May Auction Soirée Revealed an Emotional Story of Dire Need and Donation
McKamy Tiner, Luncheon Chair | Anna Bland Aston, President
(Feature Slideshow photo: McKamy Tiner, Luncheon Chair; Anna Bland Aston, President, KidneyTexas, Inc.; Dana Nearburg, hostess; Ian Arena, Molly McCabe. All photos by Daniel Driensky.)
(May 5, 2016 – Dallas, TX) It is always a treat to be invited into a private home for a party benefiting a nonprofit organization knowing you are raising money for a good cause. To be a guest at an event in a home which has won AIA awards, a National Landscaping award and International lighting award, as well as being featured on the cover of Dallas Modern for 2014, makes the experience even more meaningful.
The recent KidneyTexas, Inc., The Runway Report Auction and Cocktail party was a fabulous evening that was lively, lovely and a perfect evening shared with friends and supporters in appreciation of the beneficiaries, artworks and architecture.
President Anna Bland Aston and luncheon chair McKamy Tiner could not have asked for a more perfect evening. A cool breeze filled the air as guests arrived, welcomed by an Aston Martin in the driveway and servers ready with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres as a live duo strummed favorites from the Beatles, the Eagles, Paul Simon and more.
Guests stood in silent respect as McKamy shared her heartfelt stirring story of need and donation. At the time she was 27, she was one of the youngest kidney donors in the United States, donating a kidney to a dear friend who was in dire need. Everyone in the crowd was overcome with emotion as she shared the good news, her friend, Ian Arena, is a healthy survivor today. He stood with her as they both received a resounding standing ovation.
AB had a special surprise as she and McKamy unveiled the luncheon logo with this story: One of McKamy’s favorite stones is a sapphire – which is reflected in the luncheon’s logo’s sapphire blue, created by Lynn Townsend Dealey.
Lynn has created most of the logos for the luncheon over the past 12 years, each one having a special meaning. She drew inspiration for this year’s logo from McKamy’s story: The big bracelet with the dangle is a diamond pattern, and turning it on its side, it is two “M”s for McKamy and four kidney shapes in the bracelet. The pearls represent her gift of a kidney, “A pearl of great price,” Lynn said. A sapphire bracelet is included, as well as the logo’s color, sapphire blue.
The live auction soared with competitive bidding on fabulous items such as a Masters Championship Package, Mesero Margarita Party for twenty at Mesero, Kentucky Derby Package for two and an Argentina Dove Hunt. All of the profits benefit the bottom line for beneficiaries Baylor Healthcare System Foundation, Children’s Health/Children’s Medical Center Foundation; Camp Reynal – National Kidney Foundation; Parkland Foundation; Methodist Health System Foundation and Texas Health Resources Foundation and KidneyTexas, Inc.
Robin Arena is luncheon co-chair. Honorary chairs are Carole Cleveland Price, Alicia and Scott Price, Stacey Price Wright and Larry Wright. Emilynn Wilson is the recipient of the Goodnight Service Award.
Supporting this evening’s success were sponsors Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, LegacyTexasTitle – Legacy Texas Bank, Aston Martin of Dallas, Dallas Methodist Hospitals Foundation and Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C. Media sponsors are Modern Luxury Dallas, The Park Cities News/The Waters Family and My Sweet Charity.
Everyone was encouraged to start putting together their tables now for the Tuesday, September 20th luncheon at Brook Hollow Golf Club. The morning begins at 10:30 with a champagne reception followed by the runway fashion show sponsored by TOOTSIES and produced by Jan Strimple, which is always a fabulous event including fun surprises. It is all topped off with a delicious luncheon.
A limited number of $250 seats are available. Patron Individual seating tickets are at $500 and $1,000. Underwriting begins at $2,500 and levels up to $50,000. Table Hosts, Sponsors and Underwriters benefits include preferred seating at the luncheon and fashion show, special program visibility and more.
Visit the web site at http://www.kidneytexas.org, email kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or call 214-891-0896 for details.
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 $3.1 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.
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(Press release. Adams Communications Public Relations is honored to represent KidneyTexas, Inc.)
