On October 3, 2011, more than 650 people attended the 10th annual Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation Luncheon at The Westin Galleria. It was a successful luncheon, enabling the foundation to impact the community with energy and enthusiasm and raise awareness about breast cancer.
At the luncheon, the foundation donated $100,000, equally divided among the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Adriana Higgins and Betsy Kamin, for the Komen Houston Affiliate; and Dr. Suzanne Fuqua from the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at BCM accepted the checks on behalf of their organizations. This brings the total of monies donated by the foundation from 2002 through 2011 to more than $1 million.
The luncheon opened with a commemorative video, celebrating the life of Nancy Owens and the continued success of the foundation created in Owens’ name and honor. Vocalist Yvonne Washington performed a rendition of the song, “Believe” as the video played.
Ilona Carson, KTRK-TV (Ch. 13), who emceed the event, announced the foundation’s success of its continued commitment to raising additional funds throughout the year through the Foundation’s Second Annual “Swing for the Cure” Golf Tournament, Pink & Blue Jean Day and Cocktails for the Cure.
During the luncheon, accolades were given. The foundation is grateful to Mike Huff with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate — Anderson Properties for his Diamond level sponsorship (a $15,000 contribution) this year. Also thanked was Jennifer Hernandez, Patriot Bank Mortgage, who donated at the Platinum level (a $10,000 contribution).
The foundation expressed appreciation to the Houston Chronicle, the media sponsor, and to the Houston Association of Realtors, the professional sponsor, for continued support.
Year to date, the foundation has presented 16 companies with the “Spirit of Giving Award” to honor contributors who have shown philanthropic commitment, with each donor giving more than $20,000 during the past eight years. Recipients included Alamo Title Co. — Post Oak and San Felipe, Bernstein Realty, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate — Anderson Properties, Chicago Title Insurance Co., Fidelity Title Co., Greenwood King Properties, Heritage Texas Properties, Houston Association of Realtors, Houston Chronicle, John Daugherty, Realtors, Katherine Stewart, Mark Cady with Flagstone Lending, Maxine Myers, Old Republic Title Co. of Houston, Patriot Bank and Stewart Title.
In March, the foundation held its second annual “Swing for the Cure” golf tournament at Sweetwater Country Club, raising more than $10,000. In September, the foundation held its annual “Pink & Blue Jean Day,” and raised more than $5,000. Participants later gathered for “Cocktails for the Cure” at Royal Oak Bar & Grill for an evening of fun.
Prior to the event’s guest speaker, the audience was surprised with a flash mob dance to “I Will Survive.” Dancers from the Smith Foundation danced through the audience with pink wigs, shirts and boas. Pink boas were given to luncheon guests to join in on the fun.
The guest speaker for the luncheon was Lester H. Smith, who, along with his wife, Sue, have been avid supporters of breast cancer research, leading to the Baylor Breast Center being renamed the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Smith is a two-time cancer survivor, and revealed a personal story of hope and optimism, leaving the audience with hope.
Suzanne Fuqua, Ph.D., provided the annual “Update from the Lab” for luncheon guests. Fuqua has published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and has authored 50 Books/Chapters. She is internationally known for her research on the female hormone estrogen, estrogen receptors, and its clinical significance in breast cancer progression and resistance to hormonal therapies.
Yi Li, Ph.D. at BCM, will receive half of the 2011 proceeds for his research in discovering a drug target for sensitizing breast cancer to chemotherapy. This research will enable researchers to 1.) demonstrate that MAP3K3 overexpression is associated with chemotherapeutic resistance in breast cancer patients, 2.) validate in the lab that inhibiting MAP3K3 increases sensitivity to chemotherapy and 3.) identify a small-molecule a compound that can inhibit MAP3K3 as a potential drug. With the financial support of Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation, Dr. Yi Li will be able to complete these three necessary experiments to move MAP3K3 inhibition to clinical testing for sensitizing breast cancers to chemotherapy.
Another highlight at the luncheon was the presentation of the “Nancy Owens Spirit of Courage Award” which reflects the courage of an extraordinary individual in the community who has fought the battle against cancer and won the battle against cancer. This year’s award was presented to Maxine Myers. Myers spoke briefly about her personal journey as a three-time breast cancer survivor and thanked all her family and friends who guided her through the journey. Maxine received a beautiful Waterford Guardian Angel. Several of the past award recipients were in attendance.
At the conclusion, Carson asked all breast cancer survivors, cancer survivors and individuals touched by cancer to stand as the foundation’s own “Stand Up to Cancer” tribute to the fact that we will find a cure. Guest left the luncheon dancing with their pink boas to the song “Celebrate” performed by Yvonne Washington.
Attendees had several opportunities to support the foundation by purchasing prize tickets, bidding on silent auction items, purchasing hand-painted breast cancer survivor wine glasses, umbrellas with the NOMF logo or remembrance ribbon engraved business card holders. A very special thank you was given to those who generously donated items and their services.
The Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation was created in memory of Nancy Owens, a much-loved and wellrespected icon in the Houston real estate industry. Owens lost her 20-year battle with breast cancer in September 2001. One of Owens’ final wishes, if she had survived her battle with cancer, was to dedicate a large part of her life to the fight against breast cancer and the continued advancement of its research toward finding a cure. It is that very dream that lives on today.
The foundation’s planning committee is made up of Owens’ close friends, whose efforts, dedication and love of Owens has been the driving force behind the success of the foundation. Committee members are: Amy Bernstein, Brent Blaikie, Cheri Fama, Debera Fontenot, Gail Evans, Gloria Moorman, Irby Rozelle, Katherine Stewart, Leash Yu, Lynn Mather, Mary Piper, Mariella Massa, Peggie Kohnert, Robin Mueck, Terri Guerra, Terry Pasternak and Vicki Fullerton.
2011 Luncheon Sponsors
Diamond Sponsor
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Anderson Properties
Platinum Sponsor
Jennifer Hernandez / Patriot Bank Mortgage – In loving memory of my sister Lori Hughes, 2011
Gold Sponsors
Bernstein Realty
Nordstrom, Inc. Eastern Regions
Media/Professional Sponsors
Houston Association of Realtors – Professional Sponsor
Houston Chronicle – Media Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Alamo Title Company – Post Oak & San Felipe
Chicago Title
John Daugherty, Realtors
Katherine Stewart
Star Tex Title
Bronze Sponsors
Appraisal MC
Bernstein Realty – Angel Table
Blake Pfeffer & Kai Bike – Republic State Mortgage
Bridgeland Development, LP
Brubaker and Associates
Campbell / Perley Table
Carol Desenberg – Wells Fargo Private
Mortgage Banking
Champions School of Real Estate
Charter Title Company
Crain, Caton & James P.C.
Cornerstone Mortgage
Declaration Title Company
Fidelity National Company
Flagstone Lending Group / Mark Cady
Friendswood Development Company
GEM Insurance
Greenwood King Properties
Greenwood King Properties – Angel Table
Heritage Texas Properties
Heritage Texas Properties – Angel Table
Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Koman for the Cure
Houston Capital Mortgage
Initech Appraisals
John Daugherty, Realtors Inc. – Angel Table I
John Daugherty, Realtors Inc. – Angel Table II
John Daugherty, Realtors Inc. – Angel Table III
John Daugherty, Realtors Inc. – Angel Table IV
Keller Williams Metropolitan
Keller Williams – Angel Table
Kelley Lang
Ken Jacobson, Hometrust Mortgage
Lynn Mather / John Daugherty
Martha Turner Properties – Angel Table I
Martha Turner Properties – Angel Table II
Maxine Myers
Old Republic Title
Pure Insurance Co-Agency Yu, Inc.
Stewart Title Company
Texas Insurance Agency
Tradition Title LLC
UBS Financial Services, Inc. – The Selzer – Katz Group
Vicki Fullerton – RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring
Wendy and Andy Bernstein
Special Thanks
Andrea Warner Boutique
Beautique
Ben Bridge Jeweler
Billie Sue
British Isles
Built in Appliance Center
Careerbags.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Ciro’s Italian Grill
Cookies by Design
Corner Bakery Cafe
Craze, Inc.
DAmico’s Italian Market
Dimensions, Ken Levy
Distinctive Details
Donna Neely, Bernstein Realty
Dromgoole’s Office Supply
Elaine’s Florist
Flagstone Lending
Gail Evans, Cornerstone Mortgage
Greenweavers
Houston Association of REALTORS ®
Houston Chronicle
Itahn Tran
J. Hillburn
Karen Bobetic, Art Glass Experience
Karen’s Closet
Katherine Aguilar – Event
Coordinator
Katherine Stewart
Ken Jocobson, Hometrust Mortgage
Kim Coffman
Lester H. Smith
Lexis Florist
Lyn Sullivan – Declaration Title
Mancuso’s
Masraff’s Restaurant
Michael Rubenstein, Partner.
Schlanger, Mills, Mayer &
Silver, L.L.P.
Neha Parikh, Aptek Computer
Services
Palazzo’s Trattoria
Patrick
Piatto’s
Pie in the Sky
Plants n Petals
Post Oak Grill
Robert’s China
Royal Oak Bar & Grill
SJK Graphic Solutions
South Coast Film & Video
Starbucks / Spring Valley
Sweetwater Country Club
Tara Sondock
Terry Pasternak Designs
The Patio on Mercer
The Villager
Trish Morille
Willow Bend Mortgage, Chris Kelso
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