KidneyTexas, Inc. Announces 2026 Runway Report Luncheon and Fashion Show Handbags and Heels
(Featured photo: Fran Cashen Wittenberg, President; Courtney Rourk and Therese Rourk, Luncheon Chairs.)
It was a beautiful day to get together with friends as supporters of KidneyTexas, Inc. gathered at the Cottonwood Market Antique Mall to be the first to hear the scoop on announcements for the upcoming 2026 Runway Report Luncheon and Fashion Show Handbags and Heels happening on Tuesday, September 26th at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas.
Fran Cashen Wittenberg, president, welcomed guests saying what a delightful celebration this is and thanked Donna Arp Weitzman, hostess and one of Cottonwood’s owners, as well as a former KidneyTexas, Inc. president and luncheon chair.
She reminded the crowd about the upcoming Methodist Hospital tour. Methodist is a beneficiary and offered to host the event. There is also a membership trip to another one of KidneyTexas’ beneficiaries in May, Camp Reynal. The children love Camp Reynal where they get to experience summer camp just like normal children, except at this camp, they receive dialysis. She also thanked Colby Hanks Baer and Briana Pearson for their tireless work creating and updating the new website.
Therese Rourk, co-chair of the Runway Report Luncheon and Fashion Show themed Handbags and Heels with her daughter, Courtney Rourk, announced Susan Geyer as Honorary Chair and presenting sponsors, Natalie and David Taylor, Cindy Feld and Nikki Ramji.
Sarah Jo Hardin is Underwriting Chair, Susan Banks is Live Auction Chair and Tanya Vittitow is Raffle Chair. Debbie Myers is Live Auction Chair with Susan Banks. Marilyn Cline is Auction Chair. Jan Strimple is an Honored Guest. It will be a real treat to watch a video flashback over the years since she first became involved with KidneyTexas, Inc. in 2003 when Fran chaired the luncheon.
Donna gave everyone an incentive to make purchases today, saying that 20% of sales today will be donated back to KidneyTexas, Inc. She also let everyone in on the scoop that her 7th book has just published and gave everyone a copy as a parting gift.
At the luncheon and fashion show, the morning will begin with a reception followed by a program and runway fashion show, produced by Robyn Chauvin featuring fashions from NorthPark Center. The event is always a fabulous time including fun surprises. There will be live and silent auctions, raffle and award presentations. It is all topped off with a delicious luncheon. Laura Harris, NBC 5 co-anchor, is emcee. Sponsorships $5,500 and up. Individual Patron Level Tickets begin at $550. All of the funds raised stay in North Texas. Beneficiaries to be announced.
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: Texas represents about 10.3% of the U.S. total End Stage Renal Disease patient population.
- There are over 80,000 End Stage Renal Disease patients in Texas as of 2023.
- As of November 1, 2024, there were 8,860 patients in Texas waiting for kidney transplants.
- The two most common causes of Chronic Kidney Disease are diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension). These are especially significant in Texas.
- Minority populations are disproportionately affected: Black/African American and Hispanic populations have higher rates of disease and kidney failure.
- Many people with Chronic Kidney Disease are unaware of it. For example, in Texas (and generally in the U.S.), 9 out of 10 adults with early kidney disease don’t know they have it, because symptoms are often absent until late.
History: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise more than $5 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.
Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Luncheon & Fashion Show 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 attendees and Dallas business and community leaders. Your support is crucial to the success of our mission.
Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent KidneyTexas, Inc. and their special events and announcements and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
