The Palm was the stylish setting for the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation’s Tenth Annual Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Viewing Party on Saturday, May 06, 2017. This year’s festive event honored Houston philanthropist Therese Landa. The evening’s honorary chairs were Cindi Rose, Dr. Franklin Rose, Lily Paxson-Salinas, and Jennifer Simmons Lazzari. As in past years, the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation partnered with Houstonia Magazine to mount the exciting affair, the most anticipated Kentucky Derby celebration in Houston.

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Honoring tradition, guests were treated to mint juleps, which they enjoyed with the Palm’s chic bites and elegant steakhouse fare. In keeping with the Derby theme, Rexberry Luxury Events transformed the iconic steakhouse with banners, dazzling décor, and fresh floral centerpieces. A luxe green carpet provided the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities of gentlemen in dapper summer suits and women showing off extravagant Derby hats and fascinators. Large screen TVs brought the excitement of the race right to the partygoers.

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While mingling and dishing all things Derby, the 300 guests, including New Orleans Saints running back, Adrian Peterson, and his wife, Ashley, perused the silent auction items. Some of the standout pieces this year were two works of fine art, an emerald necklace by Azar Taleghany, and a diamond and gold necklace donated by Angelica Chapman. The much anticipated hat contest was won by Azar Taleghany. Guests also competed to win bottles of top-shelf liquor and fine wine by playing the Satisfy Your Spirits ring-toss game.

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A rousing success, the evening of fun and laughter raised nearly $50,000 to support the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation’s noble cause of providing free reconstructive surgery to cancer survivors as well as scholarships to cancer survivors and those who have lost a parent to cancer.

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Guests: Sloane Andrews, Lily Jang, Connie Kwan-Wong, Diane Caplan, Tracy and Harry Faulkner, Alan Pike, Dr. Sophia Barnes, Miya Shay, and hosts: Dr. Monica Patel, Dr. Adam LaBlanc, Nancy Marcus Golden, Riyad Abu-Taha, Erica Gillum, Claudia Sierra, Jennifer Roosth, Kimberly Lane, Jennifer Simmons, Angela Lipsey, Kelly McCloud, Francesca Salinas, Ella Markovsky, Christine Tabrizi, Beth Cassidy, Darcy Santala, J. Michael Soliz, Ben Pickell, Roland Garcia, Gregg Harrison, Roger Zinn, Marc Harvey, and Angelica Chapman.

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About the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation

The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that provides free reconstructive surgery to dozens of uninsured and underinsured post-cancer patients.  Since its inception, the Holly Rose Ribbon foundation has assisted over 100 cancer survivors with free reconstructive surgeries and assistance. The foundation also offers grief counseling, college scholarships to cancer survivors or to those who have lost a parent to cancer, breast reconstructive surgeries at no cost to the survivor, and arts in medicine activities for children undergoing cancer treatment at area hospitals. All funds collected through The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation go toward the many costs associated with providing reconstructive surgery, including nursing care, hospital stays, and anesthesiologist costs.