Since its first fundraiser in 1974, Dallas’ Cattle Baron’s Ball has been dedicated to funding cancer research. While it has been known for holding the “world’s largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society,” the driving force is the battle against cancer. To provide its committee with developments and updates in the research of cancer, the Cattle Baron’s Research Symposium is held.
The 2024 CBB Co-Chairs Lora Farris and Marjon Henderson and Symposium Co-Chairs Amy Green, Theresa Bando Parkinson and Sarah Pederson arranged to have the Village host this year’s symposium at The Drey Hotel, with CBB longtime supporters Dr. Joe LaManna and Dr. Frank Candari on hand and Dr. Robert Singer providing insight on his cancer research for guests like Kelly Garlock, Heather Baker, Judy and Scott Mitchell and 2023 CBB Co-Chair Isabell Novakov Higgingbotham and her husband Trey Higginbotham. Here’s a report from the field:
The not-so-gentle breezes on the evening of Thursday, March 28, did not deter guests from enjoying cocktails and conversation on the terrace of The Drey Hotel in the Village prior to the annual Cattle Baron’s Ball annual Research Symposium hosted by the Village.
Two long-time gala underwriters and self-professed “Cattle Baron’s Ball aficionados,” Dr. Joe LaManna and Dr. Frank Candari were holding court during the al fresco cocktail reception prior to the update provided by cancer researcher Dr. Robert Singer. Both men were clad in black, head to toe, and one clever pundit referred to them as “the men in black.”
Drs. LaManna and Candari were explaining to a bevy of “newbies” that Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians, had contributed more than $1 million, over several years, to American Cancer Society Research Projects in North Texas funded by the Cattle Baron’s Ball.
The doctors’ organization, which they referred to as “DSOP” has a 25-year history with the world’s largest single-night fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Among those hearing tales from the loquacious doctors was Campbell Fearing who whose eyes grew big as they recalled stories of rain, mechanical bull riding, celebrity sightings, auction miscues… and more rain from their decades of attending the ball.
Campbell, the son of celebrity Chef Dean Fearing, spoke later in the evening of his personal battle with cancer and the importance of research in treating and funding pediatric and adult cancer. Chef Fearing has been the ringleader of several celebrity chefs, whose legendary dinners sold at the Live Auction have raised more than $10 million in the last three decades, according to long-time ball patrons.
On a serious, but uplifting note, Dr. Singer thanked the Cattle Baron’s leadership and committee members for sponsoring the Research Symposium for the past 15 years and noted the $5 million-plus raised last year for cancer research projects in North Texas as a significant contribution to research programs, particularly those dealing with stem cell research.
The genesis of Dr. Singer’s remarks was the good news he had to report about researchers’ ability to leverage discoveries in blood-forming stem cells to develop innovative approaches to treating and preventing cancer.
* Photo credit: Tamytha Cameron Photography