Mothers Against Cancer held their 31st annual holiday luncheon on December 2 at Humble Civic Center. During 2019, Mothers Against Cancer raised $290,000 for pediatric cancer research for Texas Children’s Cancer Center, bringing their total donations since 1989 to almost $6.8 million!
The luncheon was attended by over 600 people and honored Texas Children’s Cancer Center patient Charlotte Blazei, a precious 6-year-old diagnosed in January 2019 with Gamma Delta Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Fortunately for Charlotte, her younger brother, Jack, was a perfect donor for her to have a bone marrow transplant in July. Charlotte has amazed her doctors every step of the way and is recovering very well! Her latest tests show excellent immune recovery and (most importantly) NO leukemia.
Also honored with the Ann Denman Award was Albert Dion II. Dion is the president of Alsoft, Inc., a Kingwood-based company founded in 1984 to develop and market MacExpress®, the first programming framework for the Macintosh. A portion of every Alsoft product sold is donated to Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center and Mothers Against Cancer.
In addition, Albert and his wife, Melisa, underwrote the Post-Procedure Bay and serve as lifetime ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital. Mothers Against Cancer proudly honored Dion for helping to redesign and maintain the organization’s website and for his active support of their activities.
Former Mothers Against Cancer member Carolyn Cain was honored with a lifetime membership.
Special guests included Susan M. Blaney, M.D., director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and Texas Children’s Hospital Executive Vice Chair; The Rev. T.J. Dolce of St. Martha Catholic Church in Porter, who gave the invocation; mistress of ceremonies Melissa Wilson, Fox 26 Anchor and Health Reporter; and auctioneer Johnny Bravo.
Lunch was provided by Tony Vallone of Tony’s Catering and the presenting sponsor was SG Interests. Wine donors were Bill Chenault of Scotto Cellars and Suzanne Phifer Pavitt, proprietor of Phifer Pavitt Wine. Media sponsors were The Forest Image and The Tribune.
During 2019, Mothers Against Cancer participated in several other fundraising activities, including the Virginia Gandy 5K Run and Walk; Gold Fight Win with Humble ISD, Addi’s Faith Foundation and the L3 Foundation to promote Childhood Cancer Awareness; and The Clubs of Kingwood Mad Hatter’s Luncheon.
All Mothers Against Cancer events are open to the public.