iPromise

Lyle Lovett, 56, is a Grammy Award-winning country singer-songwriter and actor. When Lovett isn't traveling, he lives on the family farm where he was raised in Klein, just outside of Houston. He recently demonstrated his talents behind the wheel at the Grand Prix of Houston's Celebrity Go-Kart Race benefiting MD Anderson.

BY Lyle Lovett

Photo by Barry Smith.

Celebrity go-kart driver Lyle Lovett sports a pink Western shirt, part of the Lyle Lovett for Hamilton Shirts line. The Houston-based shirtmaker is donating 20% of proceeds from the line's pink button-down to MD Anderson cancer research.

I’ve lived my entire life in Houston. I was born at Methodist hospital, grew up in the Klein community and went to Klein High School. If you live in Houston for any amount of time, you appreciate how MD Anderson touches the lives of everybody here in town and even around the world.

My dad (William Pearce ‘Sonny‘ Lovett) was treated by Dr. (Christopher) Logothetis at MD Anderson in the late ’90s, so I have a really deep personal respect and admiration for what MD Anderson does. Research that advances the curing of cancer takes a lot of money. You go to an event like the Grand Prix of Houston, and it’s not just those of us who are silly enough to get in the go-kart and ride around who make a difference. It’s inspiring to see the number of people who came out to show their support and the ones who sponsored the teams. It’s incredible to see how devoted people are to MD Anderson and how much they care about one another. That’s essentially what it boils down to: people showing they love one another by supporting MD Anderson.

I was thrilled to be a part of this event. What a fun way to raise some money! It was fantastic seeing people I admire like Phil Garner, Brandon Backe, Ilona Carson and Khambrel Marshall giving their time to MD Anderson as well.

Do you promise? Tell us why you’re committed to Making Cancer History® by sending an email to Promise@mdanderson.org.

"If you live in Houston for any amount of time, you appreciate how MD Anderson touches the lives of everybody here in town and even around the world."

Lyle Lovett

More Stories From Promise

A message from Dr. DePinho

A word from the president.

Washington, D.C. event honors James A. Baker, III

Tribute to global statesman raises $4.5 million

Race to accelerate an end to cancer

Grand Prix of Houston

Cancer in the rearview mirror

Professional athlete celebrates with an Ironman

Survivors Say

Angel "Angie" Jimenez, 82, is the founder and former owner of Mclean Cargo Specialists, an international freight forwarding and export packer. An active community volunteer, he served as the Rotary Club of Houston's president in 2012-2013, the organization's centennial year. Jimenez came to MD Anderson as a prostate cancer patient seven years ago and later was treated for bladder cancer. He's proud that, with the help of "MD Anderson's great Urology team," he's a two-time survivor.

Moon Shots Program

How team science aims to beat cancer

My Moon Shot

Donald Lowd is a retired Air Force veteran whose civilian career landed him at a retina practice in Houston. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, he refused to accept the dismal odds he was initially given. He turned instead to MD Anderson and Christopher Logothetis, M.D., chair of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, to help him win "the Super Bowl of life."