Lights Out Cancer event raises more than $1 million for research

Baylor College of Medicine’s Lights Out Cancer event raised nearly $1.1 million to support cancer research at Baylor’s Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event welcomed 600 guests on Saturday, Feb. 8, to the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston to enjoy the evening’s festivities, including cocktails, dinner, dancing and a live auction.

The event honored two women who have profoundly impacted the cancer center, Jan Duncan and Sue Smith. Co-chairs Andy and Wendy Bernstein and Kafi and Richard Slaughter created the event with the goal of taking the power away from cancer and spotlighting the discoveries and revolutionary treatment advances made in the Duncan Cancer Center.

The evening’s mistresses of ceremonies, ABC 13’s Gina Gaston and FOX 26’s Melissa Wilson, emceed the program, welcoming the event honorees and co-chairs, Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine, and honorary chairs Dr. Carolina Gutierrez, professor of pathology and immunology at Baylor, and Dr. C. Kent Osborne, director of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“Lights Out Cancer was a wonderful event created by Mrs. Wendy Bernstein, Chair of our Advocates Council, to increase awareness of our cancer center in the community, and to raise funds for cancer research, education and patient care that will impact all Houstonians. Community support through philanthropy is key for all National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers to grow research programs, recruit outstanding researchers, and provide outreach and education in the community to reduce the cancer burden and improve outcome for our patients,” said Osborne, the Dudley and Tina Sharp Chair for Cancer Research at Baylor College of Medicine.

“What a terrific event to raise funds for cancer research at the Duncan Cancer Center,” Klotman said. “Our honorees – Jan Duncan and Sue Smith – along with dedicated volunteers, faculty and staff ensured the success of Lights Out Cancer.”

Learn more about the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and its research.