Entertainer and breast cancer survivor Rita Wilson brings humor and
humanity to 17th annual Celebrating Women luncheon
On October 20, Baylor Health Care
System Foundation celebrated the 17th
annual Celebrating Women luncheon.
The 2016 luncheon, presented by Tom
Thumb for the 12th consecutive year,
raised $1.8 million to benefit Baylor
Scott & White Health’s fight against
breast cancer in North Texas.
Since the first Celebrating Women
luncheon in 2000, more than $28
million has been raised to support
breast cancer initiatives at Baylor
Scott & White Health.
This year’s event was chaired by
Aileen Pratt with Gloria Eulich
M artindale serving as underwriting
chairman. Diane and Joel T. Allison
served as honorary chairmen.
Breast cancer survivor and multi-
talented actress, producer, writer
20
and singer, Rita Wilson, was the
featured speaker. During a Q&A
session in which she was interviewed
by Rowland K. Robinson, president
of Baylor Health Care System
Foundation, she discussed her
family, career highlights, and her
breast cancer diagnosis and journey.
For those in the audience just
starting their journey with the
disease, Rita advised, “Trust your
instincts and your gut. Don’t be afraid
to ask for a second opinion, for your
doctor or for your pathology. For
those going through treatment or are
about to go through treatment, I
know it feels like it’s never going to
end, but there is a light at the end of
the tunnel. You’re going to be able to
see that light sooner than you think.”
Rita Wilson