Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer 40th Anniversary Celebration Gala Kicked-Off with a Garden Party at the Museum Tower
Jersey Mike’s Subs, Title Sponsor | BDO USA, LLP and CAPTRUST, Presenting Sponsors
(Featured Photo: Dr. Carla Russo, Announcement Party Chair; Jackie Thornton, Gala Chair; Cindy Brinker Simmons, Founder WOKC; Regina Bruce, Announcement Party Chair; Jenice Dunayer, Gala Chair.)*
It was a beautiful evening at Museum Tower’s terrace garden recently as Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo, chairs of the Announcement Party for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer’s (WOKC) 40th Anniversary Celebration Gala, welcomed friends and supporters to hear the big news about the upcoming event.
Gala Chairs Jenice Dunayer and Jackie Thornton, along with WOKC Founder Cindy Brinker Simmons, WOKC CEO Aashik Khakoo, and Board Chair John Dankovchik chatted up the chic crowd as everyone enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, a lavish charcuterie spread, sweets, and beverages featuring two signature cocktails, MagMan and Lady Magnolia, in a salute to the evening’s Underwriter, the Dallas Magnolias.
After Aashik thanked the gala chairs for hosting the location, Jackie and Jenice echoed deep appreciation to all, introducing Regina and Carla for their very special announcement.
“We are delighted and honored to announce BDO USA, LLP and CAPTRUST as Gala Presenting Sponsors at the $25,000 level. We are grateful that these two highly respected organizations have chosen to step up and help fund pediatric cancer research as they encourage and inspire others to do so as well by their actions,” Carla said. “Regina and I are passionate about Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer’s mission and excited to celebrate its successes on this 40th anniversary. Despite the significant progress being made in the fight against pediatric cancer, we know there is much work left to be done. We also recognize that by joining together with friends and family in this fight, we are providing hope, funding cutting-edge research, and championing a wonderful organization whose future successes can significantly impact and effectively change the odds and save the lives of many more precious children.”
Barbara and Stan Levenson 
Mary Dowling, Dalton Stewart, Jersey Mike’s Subs North Texas Area Director, Title Sponsor.
Jackie and Jenice revealed details for the Saturday, October 16,gala at the Belo Mansion. A highlight of the evening will be a silent auction of personalized Warrior Baskets filled with specific items chosen for each of WOKC’s 26 Warriors (children with cancer). Guests will bid on these 26 baskets and present them later to the Warriors at a separate private event. Lynn McDonough is Warrior Basket Chair. There will also be a live auction, chaired by Karee Sampson, featuring spectacular one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Other surprises that evening honoring Warriors will include the beautiful Warrior Tribute Walkway designed by international designer Jo Tiller, representing WOKC’s courageous Warriors over the past 40 years.
Dalton Stewart, Jersey Mike’s Subs North Texas Area Director and franchisee, shared the personal story of his vision of initiating Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” 12 years ago. This past March, Jersey Mike’s donated $745,000 to WOKC from the 2021 “Day of Giving” campaign, followed by rounds of applause. His next announcement brought more rounds of applause and cheers: Jersey Mike’s is donating $100,000 as Title Sponsor of the 40th Anniversary Celebration Gala and the Founder and CEO, Peter Cancro, and his wife, Tatiana, are serving as Honorary Chairs.
Jolie Humphrey, Fran Cashen, Mary Black 
Ann Whaley, Connie Yates, Sadie Gray
Closing the program, Aashik said, “I hope the stirring tribute we have heard this evening from Dalton Stewart and the genuine support from Regina and Carla, along with BDO USA, LLP and CAPTRUST, has inspired everyone to learn more about Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, and to support our Warriors and our mission to work relentlessly for the day when cancer is no longer a threat to ANY child.”
Butch Johnson, Carol Johnson, Carlo Baron 
Jo Alch, Mary Griggs 
Bob Bigham, Barbara Bigham
Gala chairs Jackie and Jenice added, “We are deeply moved and offer our profound and heartfelt thanks to our new Title Sponsor and Presenting Sponsors for their most generous support. Their underwriting will have a real impact on many lives, and we are very thankful. We invite you to join them in celebrating our 40th Anniversary Gala with your sponsorships and underwriting.”
Jessica Alshelbi, Matt Delano, Tammany Stern 
C’Mone Wingo, Nick Wingo
The gala evening will begin with a champagne cocktail reception and includes a seated dinner. Attire is black-tie optional. Sponsorships and Underwriting Opportunities begin at $3,000 up to $25,000. Benefits at different levels include publication in digital, print, and press materials, priority seating, signage, and more. Purchase via the website at www.wokc.org/gala or for more information, contact Ann Whaley, awhaley@wokc.org or call 214-987-4662.
Additional sponsors of the evening’s announcement were BDO USA, LLP; CAPTRUST, 3 Badge Enology, Greenbar Distillery, Brinker International and Maggiano’s Little Italy at NorthPark Center.
About Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC):
Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) is a Dallas-based nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by Cindy Brinker Simmons in memory of her mother, the late great tennis champion Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker, who died of cancer at age 34. For four decades, WOKC has been dedicated to eradicating childhood cancer by funding innovative research, education, and treatment.
The mission of WOKC is to work relentlessly for the day when cancer is no longer a threat to ANY child.
Additionally, WOKC has provided hope to children diagnosed with cancer and their families through multiple social engagement programs …”medicine for the soul” as parents have described. WOKC has funded $7 million for its novel research projects, which have yielded $22 million in additional grant money over these past 40 years.
CHILDHOOD CANCER REALITIES: Reported by the National Institutes of Health
* Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children
* 43 children are diagnosed each day with cancer (1 every 30 minutes) in the U.S.: and 1 out of 8 children will not survive
* Nearly 60% of those who survive will have long-lasting chronic health conditions as adults
*Photos by Danny Campbell.
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer.)
