MD Anderson tops $2.5 million at A Conversation With a Living Legend® Washington, D.C., honoring Ken Burns

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, often known as “America’s biographer,” was honored at A Conversation With a Living Legend® Washington, D.C., April 22 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event raised $2.5 million for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, with proceeds supporting cancer research and patient programs at the nation’s No. 1 hospital for cancer care. A portion of the funds raised will help establish an endowed research chair at MD Anderson in memory of Burns’s late mother, Lyla Burns, who died from cancer when he was 11 years old.   

“To be able to have the privilege to pursue Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, a film about cancer, with an extraordinary team of people, was a way for me to reclaim the ability to tell the story of my mother,” said Burns, who has produced more than 40 documentaries in his career. “We are making enormous progress around this disease, and I look forward to seeing it end.”  

PBS News Hour senior correspondent Judy Woodruff, an MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV) member, emceed the program, which kicked off with “American Anthem” sung by world-renowned opera singer Harolyn Blackwell. John Zerwas, M.D., executive vice chancellor for health affairs of The University of Texas System, provided welcoming remarks, noting the audience’s impressive collective commitment to end cancer. Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson, thanked the nearly 400 guests for their support.  

“We are grateful for countless friends from across the nation who came together for this spectacular event in support of our efforts to end this devastating disease,” Pisters said. “Their generosity drives our world-class research enterprise that ultimately leads to far-reaching improvements in cancer patient care that will be felt for generations to come.”  

David Rubenstein, philanthropist, interviewer and owner of the Baltimore Orioles, led a 50-minute onstage conversation with Burns, touching on various topics including Burns’s initial choices to pursue an independent career in documentary filmmaking and how his personal connection to cancer drove him to face cancer head on in the creation of Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.  

American journalist Bob Schieffer, a longtime participant in MD Anderson’s Living Legend series and a past recipient of the Making Cancer History® award, surprised Burns and guests by closing out the evening with a special presentation. Now retired, Schieffer shared his newfound passion for drawing by gifting Burns an original hand-sketched portrait.

Critical to the event’s success were event chairs Beth and Wayne Gibbens, Edwina and Tom Johnson, Yael and Jed Manocherian, Linda Mays McCaul and Congressman Michael McCaul, Janie and Cappy McGarr and Pat and Bob Schieffer.  

Dedicated support also came from honorary chairs Ann and Clarence Cazalot, Janet and Ernie Cockrell, Penny and Don Evans, Janet and Jim Gallogly, Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Nancy Loeffler, Miriam and Jim Mulva, Norma and Harry Longwell, Jeri and Marc Shapiro, and Marsha and John H. Shields.   

Distinguished individuals from across the nation also contributed as general chairs. Special thanks to Margot and John Athon, Diane and Paul Begala, Kelli and Eddy Scurlock Blanton, Cathy and Kevin Brady, Ann and Rick Calhoon, Mary Jo and Don Chapoton, Elizabeth and Mark Epley, Maureen and Jim Hackett, Judy Woodruff and Al Hunt, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Sonny Messiah-Jiles and Jodie Jiles, Luci Baines Johnson and Ian Turpin, Debby and Bill Lampton, Marlene Malek, Donna and Mack McLarty, Listi and Alan Sobba and Tonya Williams for serving as general chairs.   

A hallmark moment of the event was the presentation of MD Anderson’s Making Cancer History® award to the late Melvyn N. Klein, former chair and Life Member of the Board of Visitors (BOV). The award was accepted by Mel’s daughter, Jenna Klein, also a member of the BOV, on behalf of the Klein family.  

“Mel’s goodwill and his passion to make the mission of MD Anderson known to whomever he met continue to be carried out in events like this one,” Pisters said. “We will never forget such a formidable force in our efforts to end cancer. Mel’s memory will live on as a testament to his dedication and generosity.”  

A seated dinner in the Nations Gallery followed the program.