MD Anderson fundraiser to honor James A. Baker, III

Tom Brokaw to interview former U.S. secretary of state at benefit luncheon

MD Anderson News Release October 17, 2018

A Conversation With a Living Legend®, an annual luncheon benefiting The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, will pay tribute to the Honorable James A. Baker, III, the 61st U.S. secretary of state, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie St.

Co-chairs Mary and Bob Worth and their children and their spouses, Clint and Jessica Worth, and Jordan and Brian Arriaga, of San Antonio, plan a dynamic program featuring a fireside chat-style interview between Baker and veteran broadcaster Tom Brokaw. The Worth family has spearheaded more than $561,000 in fundraising and expects to top their goal of $600,000 by Oct. 31. Proceeds will support pediatric summer camps for young patients at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital.

"It's truly an honor to host two such esteemed individuals in our city," said Bob Worth, founder and chairman of San Antonio-based Worth Associates. "A Conversation With a Living Legend provides a unique opportunity for us to raise awareness about cancer research, prevention and education and increase support for vital patient care programs like the pediatric summer camps for patients at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital."

The luncheon program also will feature remarks from Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president, MD Anderson; Richard Gorlick, M.D., division head, Pediatrics; and pediatric cancer survivor Maggie Howard.

A Conversation With a Living Legend®, an MD Anderson signature event, has raised millions of dollars at events across the country in cities such as Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. with more than $3 million raised in San Antonio alone over the past nine years.

Honorary chairs include Peggy and Lowry Mays and Charline and Red McCombs. Immediate past chairs Kathy and Bill Johnson and Marsha and John H. Shields join founding chairs Kim and Clyde Johnson IV and Paula and Clyde Johnson III.

The Lewis Energy Group and The Rod & Kim Lewis Foundation serve as this year’s Title Sponsor. Additional supporters include:

Presenting Sponsors

  • Jimmie Ruth and Dick Evans /Frost Bank / Kelley and Pat Frost / Nancy Loeffler
  • Mays Family Foundation
  • McCombs Foundation
  • The Worth family

Secretary of State

  • Claire and John Alexander
  • Malú and Carlos Alvarez

Secretary of the Treasury

  • C.H. Guenther & Son LLC
  • Barbara and Alan Dreeben
  • Silver Eagle Distributers
  • Valero

Chief of Staff

  • Gary Woods
  • Friends of the Worth Family: Dorn, Osborn, Lee, Tate & West

Lieutenant

  • Argo Group
  • Jordan and Brian Arriaga
  • Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Austin Jr.
  • Beth and Randy Baetz
  • Linda and Stephen Blount/Linda Rowland
  • Carla and John Brozovich
  • Michele and Randy Cadwallader
  • Kopplow Construction/ Beyer Boys
  • Sally and Rhew Dooley
  • Wendy and Phil Gramm
  • Peggy and Dan Allen Hughes Jr.
  • Joanie and JR Hurd
  • JetLinx Aviation
  • Scott Petty Family Foundation
  • UT Health Center at San Antonio – Office of the President
  • Rene and Marty Wender
  • W. Darrell Willerson Jr. M.D.
  • Jessica and Clint Worth

General Counsel

  • Avalon Advisors
  • Weezie and Max Chesney
  • Lauren Kate and Peter John Holt
  • Vanessa and Cliff Hurd
  • Pape-Dawson Engineers Inc.
  • Texas Capital Bank
  • UT Health Center at San Antonio – Long School of Medicine
  • Suzanne and Dick Wade
  • The Zoch Family

A legendary interview

James A. Baker, III served in senior government positions under three United States presidents: as the nation's 61st secretary of state and as White House chief of staff under President George H.W. Bush; as the 67th secretary of the treasury and as White House chief of staff under President Ronald Reagan; and as secretary of commerce to President Gerald Ford. Long active in American presidential politics, he led campaigns for Presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush over the course of five consecutive elections from 1976 to 1992.

Tom Brokaw spent his entire distinguished journalism career with NBC News beginning in 1966 in the Los Angeles bureau. From Los Angeles, Brokaw went to Washington as the White House correspondent during Watergate and as the principal backup for John Chancellor as anchor of "NBC Nightly News." Next stop: New York and the "Today" show, followed by his appointment as anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw." He took over "Meet the Press" for the 2008 campaign when his close friend and colleague Tim Russert died.

For more information, call 866-262-9029 and press 1 to leave a message or email events@mdanderson.org.