A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION AWAITS
Annual Ready or Not Foundation fashion fundraiser makes debut at La Palmera
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Sept. 13, 2024) — Now in its 17th year, the Ready or Not Foundation will host its annual fashion show fundraiser where fashion lives — La Palmera.
“A World of Pure Imagination” awaits guests at this year’s Best Dressed Dinner, Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6–9 p.m. in La Palmera’s Center Court, featuring a fashion show and family-style fine dining. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center in Houston, world-renowned for its clinical care, research and education, offering innovative therapies for all forms of childhood cancer and blood disorders.
“The work being done by Texas Children’s Hospital for pediatric cancer research and treatments is world-class,” said Barbara Canales, Ready or Not Foundation co-founder. “So many of our regional pediatric patients require sub-specialists and unique treatments found at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. TXCCC’s quest for collaborative research and clinical trials throughout Texas, especially in the arena of brain tumors, is making a difference for all our families faced with this terrible disease. We are excited about working with our community partner La Palmera hosting this year’s event, and we are looking forward to a great turnout for a worthy cause.”
La Palmera’s Center Court will be transformed for the private event, including a fashion runway filled with designer looks available from mall retailers, and a seated dinner for 450 catered by Palenque Grill at La Palmera. A limited number of tables and individual tickets remain and can be purchased online at readyornotfoundation.org.
Board-certified pediatric oncologist Dr. Susan Blaney, Director of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, who also leads the renowned Texas Brain Tumor Consortium, will share with guests the important clinical trials and research she and her colleagues are working on. The evening will also honor four outstanding community members for their philanthropic service: Texergy CEO and Port of Corpus Christi Commissioner Rajan Ajuha for his health care and children’s social services advocacy; Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation CEO Bill Hoelscher for his community health care and wellness advocacy; communications professional and co-owner of The Annex Bar in downtown Corpus Christi Caitlin Shook for her volunteerism in pediatric care; and Frost Wealth Advisors Vice President Cindy Barrera, herself a cancer survivor.
Founded in 2008 by Canales and her family, including daughter Jackie Black who survived anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare brain cancer, the Ready or Not Foundation has raised more than $2 million for pediatric cancer research, helping those facing a cancer diagnosis while honoring survivors and those who lost their battle. Black will again serve as the dinner’s keynote speaker providing updates on national advocacy efforts and sharing her personal journey with survivorship.
“While playing hide and seek at the age of 6, I experienced a seizure,” said Black. “That was very scary to me as a kid, but the diagnosis that followed is still one of the scariest things my family and I have ever faced. Although I know how blessed I am to have survived cancer, I still struggle with the long-term effects of my cancer treatment. My hope is that the money we raise will help fund safer and more efficient cancer treatments so that kids not only survive, they thrive.”
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and La Palmera is also teaming up with Ready or Not Foundation once again for the annual Ready. Set. Gold. event, now in its 10th year. Designed to raise awareness and funds, guests will find a special 10-foot tree in Center Court with golden leaves — the color associated with childhood cancer — and can enjoy free family-friendly events each Sunday from noon–4 p.m. All donations collected through the various events at La Palmera throughout September will be used for pediatric cancer research.
For more information on the Ready or Not Foundation, go online to https://readyornotfoundation.org/ or call (361) 779-0338. For more information on La Palmera go to lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or call (361) 991-3755.