MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® raises $1.4 million

HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center hosted its ninth annual Boot Walk to End Cancer^® fundraising event on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Texas Medical Center. This year, the Boot Walk’s 7,000+ in-person participants and 1,200+ virtual participants from Houston and around the world joined together to raise $1.4 million to support the institution’s mission to end cancer. Fundraising will continue through the end of November.

“The Boot Walk provides crucial funding for MD Anderson’s patient care, research, prevention and education programs – but most importantly, it provides hope to those facing cancer. Today, we walk together to give cancer the boot,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson, during the event’s opening ceremony. “I am honored to walk alongside our patients, caregivers and friends in support of our shared mission to end cancer.”

A promise fulfilled
For event chair Rachel Cruz Auwarter, the Boot Walk represents the fulfillment of a promise she made to herself when she was diagnosed with melanoma in 2011.

“During my first appointment, I remember thinking, ‘Give me my family and good health, and I can figure the rest of it out along the way.’ I was given both and decided that if I was ever given the chance to support and provide hope for someone else facing a cancer diagnosis, I would,” Auwarter said. “My cancer experience gave me a window into what is so special about MD Anderson. The quality and level of care, compassion and respect you are given is simply unparalleled.”

Auwarter has served MD Anderson in numerous ways, volunteering on the institution’s Advance Team and, most recently, as Boot Walk chair.

“For me, the Boot Walk represents hope in action, and collective dedication to MD Anderson's mission to end cancer,” Auwarter said.

Thousands gather for a day of celebration
The Boot Walk kicked off with a 1.2-mile walk around MD Anderson’s campus in the Texas Medical Center, featuring special performances along the route from more than a dozen community musicians, dance troupes and cultural groups. After the walk, participants were treated to live music, photo opportunities, healthy snacks and beverages provided by event sponsor, Walmart, and tons of kid-friendly activities led by the Houston Dynamo and Dash. Participants also were encouraged to sign the cancer strikethrough wall in honor or memory of anyone facing cancer. Additionally, MD Anderson’s mobile mammography vans and blood donation buses were onsite to conduct tours, perform mammograms and collect blood donations.

Thanks to generous event sponsors, 100% of the funds raised through the Boot Walk directly support MD Anderson’s patient care, research, prevention and education programs. This year’s sponsors include Walmart, Houston Dynamo and Dash, NRG Energy, MustangCAT, Third Coast Bank, York Construction, USI Insurance Services, Summit Industrial, Metro, Egon Zehnder, i-Pro and Constellation Energy. Media partners include Audacy (The Bull, Mix 96.5), Clear Channel, Outfront and the Houston Chronicle.