On May 07, 2016, Houstonia and The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation brought the Kentucky Derby back to Houstonia House and raised over $4,200.

It was a fun and stylish event for a great cause.  The Mint Julep competition was won by Reserve 101 (Judge’s Choice) and Prohibition (Popular Vote). Omar Marcos won Best Dressed Gentleman and Tiffany Taylor won Best Hat. Delicious food was provided by Batanga, Eddie V’s, Midtown BBQ, and The Palm. The macaron tower was courtesy of Macaron by Patisse. DASH Vodka & Caricature Wines provided everything for the bar and donated to the games.

During the event, when patient, Marva Skinner, shared that her free surgery of breast reconstruction by Dr. Franklin Rose, of the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation, made her feel complete, her brave story brought a few tears. She can now wear her former dresses.  Another attendee told the story that, when her father died of cancer, the family was in debt due to costs not covered by the insurance. The family was devastated, but the scholarship she received from the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation allowed her to continue her life and live her dream of becoming a nurse. As a surprise, City Artworks was on hand to receive a check from the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation, which will fund professional art lessons at Texas Children’s Hospital for children with leukemia and cancer, their families, and their siblings for the year.

The stylish crowd included: Cindi Rose, Lily Paxson, Dr. Rose, Diane Caplan, Amy Ditta, Michael DeMarse, Ben and Laura Rose, Gregg Harrison, J Michael Soliz, Jessica Pugh, Tracey Faulkner, Harry Faulkner, Matt Burres, Brenda Cheney, Michael Pearce, Katya Dow, Sukaina Rajani, Ankit Amin, Jeff Ball, Farida Abjani, Peta-gay Ledbetter, Noreen Khan-Mayberry, Joy Chapman, Sobi Qazi, Marianna Dubinsky and Alex Martinez.

About The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation:

A mission that’s growing: Since its inception in Houston, Texas in 2005, the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation, in collaboration with Silhouette artist Cindi Rose, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose, and Tony Rotondo, CEO of the First Street Surgical Center, has helped breast cancer survivors, including women, men, and children receive free reconstructive surgery.

The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation was formed as a 501(c) (3) with a mission to improve the emotional health of those with critical illness by providing free reconstruction to both uninsured and under-insured individuals of all ages and both sexes. Yearly, twelve to fifteen people receive free breast reconstruction from the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation. All the money donated goes directly to the patients, including their total hospital cost, all nurses, medicines, and other doctors. Recently, the foundation has included non-human-hair wigs, comfortable robes, pillows, permanent eyebrows, and psychological support for those who are critically ill.