Top

Philanthropy Newsroom

Dallas Living Legend 2026

Clayton Kershaw and Dirk Nowitzki, this year's honoree, speak on stage at A Conversation With A Living Legend® in Dallas on March 23, 2026.

Dirk Nowitzki honored at UT MD Anderson’s A Conversation With a Living Legend® Dallas

Former NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki was honored Monday, March 23, during The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s A Conversation With a Living Legend® Dallas. MLB great and former Living Legend honoree Clayton Kershaw joined Nowitzki in bringing together a distinguished audience of donors and supporters united in the mission to end cancer.

Event Photo Highlights

Featured speakers, attendees, and honorees of Dallas Living Legend 2026

The evening's distinguished supporters and facilitators, honoree, and UT MD Anderson faculty and leadership

Courtney and Timothy Brooks

Richard and Wendy Carlyle, Barbara Thomas-Lemmon and Michael Thomas

Dallas Living Legend 2026 honoree and host

Dirk Nowitzki speaks with Clayton Kershaw at A Conversation With a Living Legend® on March 23, 2026.

Bill and Zora Skelton, and Trish and Paul Ellis, M.D.

Billy McBee, Tom Abington, Sherry McManus, and Susie and Leo Corrigan

Texas college football icons Mack Brown and R.C. Slocum lauded at MD Anderson’s A Conversation With a Living Legend® Houston

Led by college football coaching greats Mack Brown and R.C. Slocum, attendees at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s A Conversation With a Living Legend® Houston united in the mission to end cancer on Feb. 3. The event raised over $1.5 million to benefit cancer research.

A Conversation with a Living Legend® is MD Anderson’s signature fundraising event and has raised more than $61 million over the past three decades. This year’s event supports Breakthroughs, an initiative of MD Anderson’s largest-ever fundraising effort – the $2.5 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign, Only Possible Here, The Campaign to End Cancer. This historic effort already has raised $1.98 billion, accelerating progress in groundbreaking innovations and transformative advancements that define MD Anderson.

During the intimate maroon and burnt orange-gilded evening, Slocum and Brown shared powerful life lessons, practical jokes and meaningful anecdotes about life, family, football and cancer to a select crowd of over 600 supporters and guests. The conversation between the longtime friends and gridiron rivals was moderated by emcee Randy McIlvoy, sports director for KPRC 2 in Houston.

“There are few things more powerful than those who lead by example in service of a collective goal,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “The steadfast commitment of supporters to our mission – and the reminder from Coach Brown and Coach Slocum that cancer affects us all – highlights the continued importance of working together to end cancer.”

This year’s event was chaired by Patty Kelly and T. Mark Kelly, and Catherine Susser and Sam L. Susser. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Kathy Mays Johnson and Bill Johnson, Linda Mays McCaul and Congressman Michael McCaul, Marsha McCombs Shields and John H. Shields served as honorary chairs. John Zerwas, M.D., chancellor for The University of Texas System, also provided welcoming remarks.

Longtime friends share lessons from on and off the gridiron
Brown served as head coach for the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2013, leading them to the 2005 BCS National Championship and two Big 12 titles. The winningest coach in Texas A&M football history, Slocum held the head coaching position in College Station from 1989 to 2002.

When asked about the most memorable highlights of their 36-year friendship and coaching careers, events off the field were counted as almost more important than championship wins or losses.

“It’s all about relationships,” Brown said. “R.C. and I know that recruitment is a 40-year investment, not four.”

As fathers, they both saw coaching as the responsibility to shepherd good, respectful college players into successful men. For them, in football and in life, relationships come first.

Upon winning the national championship in 2005, Brown told his team, “Don’t make this the greatest day of your life. Use this to become a better student, a better father, a better husband, a better person. It’s about the game of life.”

Both coaches also shared their personal reverence and appreciation for MD Anderson, having been connected to the institution in significant ways. Slocum encountered a challenge in his own “game of life” when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, seeking support for treatment through MD Anderson. Through the diligence of his care team, he was declared cancer-free the following year.

“Everyone connected with my treatment, including those in the hallway and the janitorial crew, everyone was a helper. Everybody – 100%. I had not one single negative experience at MD Anderson,” Slocum said. “The people there are the best. They were there every step of the way, and I’m so thankful to be here.”

Brown described a “countless number of stories" featuring loved ones impacted by the quality of care they received as patients at MD Anderson, including Slocum.

“Just to simply see how sick R.C. was and to know we really weren’t sure whether he was going to be here or not, and to be sitting with him here today? MD Anderson’s a miracle place that makes miracles happen and saves so many lives,” Brown said. “MD Anderson changes lives and saves lives – that's pretty powerful.”

Video Gallery

Meet Houston Dynamo FC Defender and MD Anderson ambassador Erik Sviatchenko

Erik Sviatchenko gained a new perspective after a skin cancer screening revealed a suspicious spot on his arm. Sviatchenko discusses the importance of sun protection and how his teammates work together to stay safe. To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/Soccer Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Meet Houston Dash Defender and MD Anderson ambassador Natalie Jacobs

Natalie Jacobs loves serving as an ambassador to MD Anderson and says wearing the logo on her kit is especially meaningful. “It’s important for me to use my platform to promote healthy living, because that goes into every decision that we as athletes make every day,” she says. “Every decision that we make impacts us on the field. So, it's cool to be able to talk about the way that we can all help each other in making the right choices in our health and making that a priority.” To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/Soccer Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Meet Houston Dynamo FC Defender and MD Anderson ambassador Ethan Bartlow

When Ethan Bartlow was 16 years old, his father died from cancer. “That hit our family really, really hard,” he says. Bartlow discusses his personal motivation to help MD Anderson in our mission to end cancer, along with a message for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis. To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/Soccer. Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Meet Houston Dynamo FC Goalkeeper and MD Anderson ambassador Steve Clark

Meet Houston Dynamo FC Goalkeeper and MD Anderson ambassador Steve Clark Description: Steve Clark learned he had a precancerous lesion on his face during an annual trip to the dermatologist. “It was pretty shocking,” he says. Clark shares the value of routine checkups and how lifestyle changes can help with cancer prevention. To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/Soccer. Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Mateo’s Story: Energy Transfer and Sunoco supports childhood cancer at MD Anderson

Mateo Rubio was two years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Mateo’s mom, Ana, shares their family’s cancer journey and experience with MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Be strong. Be brave. Don’t cry,” says Mateo. Now, seven years later, Mateo is doing great. He’s enjoying school, playing soccer and baseball. “There's no other place that I would rather be than here with my son. This is my safe spot. This is where I need to be. This is where you need to be. They'll get it right,” says Ana. One hundred percent of the funds raised from Energy Transfer and Sunoco employees will go toward innovative research and patient care to help kids like Mateo. To learn more, visit: https://MDAnderson.org/EnergyTransfer Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppo...

Meet Houston Dash Defender and MD Anderson ambassador Katie Lind

Katie Lind serves as an ambassador for MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer after experiencing her aunt’s and grandmother’s cancer diagnoses. “The goal at the end of the day is to end cancer, so this is something we all collectively want to achieve to prevent any family to have to go through what we did.” To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/Soccer Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Do you bleed orange? MD Anderson and Houston Dynamo FC team up to encourage blood donations

Houston Dynamo FC’s Diesel hypes Dynamo fans, Houston Dash fans and the community to donate blood to cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center. MD Anderson Blood Bank is facing a critical shortage, and each donation can help up to three cancer patients. Visit MDAnderson.org/BloodBank to make an appointment today. Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Jackie’s story: IBC Bank, MD Anderson team up again to end cancer

Once again, IBC Bank and MD Anderson are teaming up to end cancer. Starting April 15, the “Give Cancer the Boot” fundraising campaign will run through July 15 and aims to raise $1 million for cancer patient programs and research. Jackie Rodriguez was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 21. A recent graduate from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley University, Rodriguez will be the face of the campaign. Visit your local IBC Bank branch to donate and every donation made, IBC Bank will match it dollar for dollar. 100% of the funds will go towards patient programs and research. To learn more, visit MDAnderson.org/IBCBank.

Let’s give cancer the boot on Nov. 15!

Chris Gonzalez, cancer survivor, shares why he walks to give cancer the boot, and Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson Cancer Center, explains the impact of coming together to end cancer. Join us for the 10th anniversary of MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® on Saturday, Nov. 15 at TMC Helix Park, or participate virtually by walking wherever you are. Registration is free, and 100% of funds raised support MD Anderson’s patient programs, research, prevention and education. Register at: MDAnderson.org/BootWalk

Tiffany Richards, Ph.D., receives Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing

Tiffany Richards, Ph.D., has cared for patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center for more than two decades. She is an advanced practice provider and supervisor in the Myeloma department. In addition to her current role, Richards remains actively engaged in research, presenting and publishing her findings to advance myeloma treatment. Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® Virtual Opening Ceremony 2024

Give cancer the boot today from your own neighborhood in Houston or around the globe. Track your miles in the Boot Walk app to receive your event day badge, and make those final fundraising asks now! Thank you for joining us to #EndCancer.

Dusty Baker A Living Legend

Dusty Baker is more than a baseball icon, he's a living legend. With a career spanning decades, he left his mark as a player with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland A's before making history as a manager. Leading teams like the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and Houston Astros into the postseason, he finally secured his first World Series victory at age 73 with the Astros. But Dusty's story goes beyond the game. As a cancer survivor, he's a powerful advocate for MD Anderson and a true inspiration both on and off the field. We are honored to recognize his legacy and his commitment to making a difference. Photos provided by Getty Images and the Houston Astros

Agnes Hsu receives Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing

Agnes Hsu, a clinical nurse in the Ambulatory Surgery Center Post Anesthesia Care Unit, shares why her personal connection to cancer fuels her daily work and why she's proud to work at MD Anderson. She is the 2023 recipient of the Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing. Learn more: https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/brown-foundation-award-for-excellence-in-oncology-nursing-awarde0.h00-159623379.html Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

How Boot Walk funds advance cancer research

Experimental radiation oncology researcher Boyi Gan, Ph.D., shares how, through the support of funds from MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer®, he was able to make critical progress on this work. Register for the Boot Walk or donate today: MDAnderson.org/BootWalk

Advancing MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer in 2024

MD Anderson Cancer Center’s relentless pursuit to end cancer involves every employee, volunteer and donor working daily toward our shared goal. With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, MD Anderson demonstrates its culture of caring with every patient and interaction. We are investing in our future, broadening our reach here at home, across Texas, with our partners nationwide and around the world, all while pioneering research breakthroughs. We are Making Cancer History®. Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Advancing cell therapy to benefit cancer patients

MD Anderson Cancer Center announces the launch of the Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation to develop and advance impactful cell therapies for cancer, autoimmune conditions and infections. Led by Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., vice president & head of the Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation, the institute will bring together top scientists and clinicians. Cell therapies, often described as ‘living therapies,’ are sophisticated immunotherapy treatments that use immune cells from a patient or healthy donor as building blocks. Through specialized engineering and manufacturing techniques, researchers can enhance the ability of these cells to detect and eliminate cancer cells, infected cells or otherwise abnormal cells. To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/CellTherapy Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

MD Anderson Research: Breakthroughs in cancer treatment

MD Anderson Cancer Center is home to the brightest minds in research, who are driving breakthroughs that transform the field, the lives of patients and society. Research opportunities exist across the cancer spectrum, including prevention, patient care and survivorship. From basic discoveries to impacts in the clinic and back to the lab, our scientists and clinicians work seamlessly together to follow a hypothesis, test new theories and deliver breakthroughs at unmatched speeds. Learn more: MDAnderson.org/Research Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

MD Anderson's Institute for Data Science in Oncology

MD Anderson Cancer Center announced the Institute for Data Science in Oncology (IDSO), which integrates the most advanced computational and data science approaches with the institution’s extensive scientific and clinical expertise to significantly improve patient’s lives by transforming cancer care and research.Learn more: MDAnderson.org/DataScienceRequest an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

MD Anderson to provide research-driven cancer care in Central Texas

MD Anderson Cancer Center is expanding its footprint to Central Texas. The University of Texas System Board of Regents announced the launch of a bold new health care initiative that will transform UT Austin’s medical district into a world-class academic medical center for education, research and patient care. MD Anderson will build and operate a new, comprehensive cancer center at The University of Texas at Austin Medical Center, while UT Austin will build and run a new specialty hospital. Learn more: https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/university-of-texas-system-regents-announce-plans-build-ut-medical-center-on-site-erwin-center.h00-159621012.html Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://my.mdanderson.org/RequestAppointment

MD Anderson Cancer Center is No. 1 in the nation for cancer care

MD Anderson Cancer Center has been named No. 1 in the nation for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 “Best Hospitals” ranking. We celebrate this recognition with everyone we serve. Your support drives us in our mission to end cancer. Learn more: https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/md-anderson-ranked-number-one-in-the-nation-for-cancer-care.h00-159620223.html Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

A new era for immunotherapy with the James P. Allison Institute

MD Anderson’s James P. Allison Institute is leading exceptional discovery, translational and clinical research to integrate immunobiology across disciplines and unlock the full potential of science and medicine for human health. Led by Nobel Laureate James P. Allison, Ph.D., together with Padmanee Sharma, M.D., Ph.D., this visionary research and innovation hub is working to bring the benefits of immunotherapy to all patients. Through its research, the Allison Institute will develop combination treatment approaches that effectively integrate immunotherapy with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and targeted therapies and enable cures for more patients. Learn more: MDAnderson.org/AllisonInstitute Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Breast cancer patient volunteers at Texas Children's Houston Open after completing treatment

Rosemary Edmunds volunteered at this year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open after completing treatment for breast cancer at MD Anderson, which is the tournament’s Official Cancer Center and volunteer program sponsor. Watch as she shares more of her story and why it’s important to her to give back. #Golf #HoustonOpen #MDAnderson #MDAndersonCancerCenter #EndCancer

Ovarian cancer survivor gives back to MD Anderson

As an MD Anderson employee, Angela Hernandez knew her work in fundraising was making a difference in patients’ lives. Now as a survivor, Angela feels like she’s giving back to her success. “If I can help one other person, then that’s all I need!” Learn more about Angela's story: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/ovarian-cancer-survivor--why-i-sought-treatment-at-MD-Anderson.h00-159306201.html Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia survivor gives back at MD Anderson League City

Brad Adams, a chronic lymphocytic leukemia survivor, loves to volunteer and talk to cancer patients at MD Anderson League City. He feels very grateful for the care he received and for the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial conducted by William Wierda, M.D., Ph.D. To learn more about clinical trials, click here: https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/clinical-trials.html Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

Melanoma survivor Sam Gee grateful for immunotherapy and treatment at MD Anderson

When Sam Gee learned he had melanoma, he was a high school freshman. A mole he’d had since his early youth had become concerning and a checkup would confirm that he needed immediate care. His family turned to MD Anderson. Sam is now recovering thanks to the immunotherapy breakthroughs. Read Sam's story: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/after-two-melanoma-diagnoses--a-family-reflects-on-their-experiences-at-MD-Anderson.h00-159618645.html Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://my.mdanderson.org/RequestAppointment

14-year-old cancer survivor receives front row Taylor Swift tickets from donor impacted by cancer

14-year-old osteosarcoma survivor Hallie Barnard will receive the ultimate Swiftie’s dream: front-row tickets to Taylor Swift’s Houston concert. Ilan Saadia, whose mother was treated for lymphoma in 1991, and his 17-year-old daughter, Gabriella, are making Hallie's dreams come true. Gabriella used her "early access" to purchase two additional concert tickets, and she and her dad decided to donate them to a pediatric patient being treated at MD Anderson like Ilan's mother was. Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment

John Stamos and anaplastic thyroid cancer survivor Jeffrey Foskett give back to MD Anderson

Actor and musician John Stamos' close friend, Jeffrey Foskett, is undergoing treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer at MD Anderson. Stamos shares his gratitude for the exceptional care Foskett has received since starting treatment at MD Anderson in 2019. Foskett — a singer, songwriter and record producer who worked for decades as a touring and studio musician for The Beach Boys — began his care at MD Anderson after previous thyroid cancer treatment side effects ended his singing career. Read Jeffrey Foskett's story: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/anaplastic-thyroid-cancer-survivor--i-wish-i-d-gone-to-md-anderson-first.h00-159538167.html Make a donation to support research for rare cancers: https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=20695&noamt=true&chosen=100 Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://my.mdanderson.org/RequestAppointment

Stage IV breast cancer survivor: How Boot Walk funds support patient care

Stage IV breast cancer survivor: How Boot Walk funds support patient care Description: Sharon Blake shares how her experience as a stage IV breast cancer patient at MD Anderson is enhanced by programs that help her manage mental and physical side effects due to her treatment. Funds raised through MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® support patient programs. Register for the Boot Walk or donate today: MDAnderson.org/BootWalk