Lauryn Gayle White Announced as Honorary Chair of the KidneyTexas, Inc. Runway Report Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon 25th Year Anniversary Silver Jubilee
(Featured photo: Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Claire Catrino, Luncheon Chairs at the Spring Tea* Lauryn Gayle White, Honorary Chair.**)
Claire Catrino and Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, chairs of the KidneyTexas, Inc. Runway Report Fashion Show and Luncheon 25th Year Anniversary Silver Jubilee, along with Monica Cooley, president of KidneyTexas, Inc., are honored to announce community leader Lauryn Gayle White as the luncheon’s honorary chair.
A Texas native, Lauryn Gayle is a longtime supporter of KidneyTexas, Inc. as a member, also serving on the Advisory Board and a former luncheon co-chair. She and her husband, Tom, have three sons, three daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Her past involvements include an appointment by Governor Mark White to the Board of Regents of Pan American University, serving on the board from 1983 to 1989. She was the chair of the board in 1988 and worked on the merger with the University of Texas that was finalized in 1989. She was the chair of the Development Committee for several years and raised funds from foundations, major companies and endowments. In 2016, Lauryn Gayle was formally recognized as a Distinguished Alumni for her service to the university both past and present.
In 1988, Lauryn Gayle met with Clarence Thomas, the former Chairman of the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), who awarded the University of Texas-Pan American $100,000. He is now an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. At that time, Pan American University was the fastest growing university with the highest percentage of Hispanics.
Lauryn Gayle has served many organizations over the years including Crystal Charity Ball, Cattle Baron’s Ball, Texas Mental Health Ball and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. She and Tom have funded scholarships in support of higher education to University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, University of Texas – McCombs School of Business and St. Mark’s School of Texas. Her commitment to helping others has spanned educational and individual charity organization needs for more than 35 years.
Claire and Kaleta agree, saying, “We are delighted and honored to welcome Lauryn Gayle on board as our honorary chair during this 25th Anniversary year. Her involvement and commitment to KidneyTexas, Inc. is unwavering. Her steadfast support not only helps bring about awareness to our organization, but also shines a light on our largest fundraiser, the luncheon and fashion show, and hopefully encourages others to follow her example and join in our event.”
Slated for Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at the Brook Hollow Golf Club, the luncheon and fashion show will begin with a champagne reception followed by a program and runway fashion show produced by Jan Strimple Productions with fashions from TOOTSIES, Nardos, Betty Reiter and St. John, which is always a fabulous event including fun surprises. There will be an auction, raffle and award presentations. It is all topped off with a delicious luncheon.
All of the funds raised stay in North Texas and benefit Baylor Scott and White Health Foundation, Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Methodist Health System Foundation, National Kidney Foundation/Camp Reynal, Southwest Transplant Alliance and Texas Health Resources Foundation.
Underwriting and sponsorships are now available beginning at $5,000. Individual tickets are $500 and $1,000 with different benefits. Visit the web site at http://www.kidneytexas.org, email info@kidneytexas.org or call 214-891-0896.
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 disease impacts approximately 35.5 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas as of 2023, there are over 50,000 people on dialysis and 8,294 people on a transplant list. There were 2,394 kidney transplants in Texas in 2022.
History: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $4.7 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.
Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Luncheon & Fashion 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. Your support is crucial to the success of our mission.
*Photos are from the KidneyTexas, Inc. Spring Tea hosted by Wendy Hansen and chaired by Mari Epperson. Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio.
** Photo courtesy Lauryn Gayle White.
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent KidneyTexas, Inc. and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
