Special guest Margaret Orr, meteorologist with WDSU-TV, presided as mistress of ceremonies on Tuesday, May 13, at a luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton honoring The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The luncheon featured presentations by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center faculty members. Thomas Burke M. D., executive vice president and physician-in-chief, addressed attendees on topics including M. D. Anderson’s vision and research advances.
Yong-Jun Liu M.D. Ph.D., professor and chair of the Immunology department and director of the Center for Cancer Immunology Research at M. D. Anderson, spoke to attendees about the positive environment at the Department of Immunology.
Anas Younes M.D., professor of medicine and director of clinical and translational research in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, spoke about advances in research and the need for more modern treatments for Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
At a private cocktail reception in Metairie later that evening, Drs. Liu and Younes also gave informal talks. Hosts Jennifer and Fred Heebe’s personal chef catered.
Individuals chairing and co-chairing the luncheon included: Thomas L. Callicut Jr., Betsie Meric Gambel, Elizabeth and Edward Haspel, Adee Heebe, Danielle Kavanagh, Denise and Bill Monteleone, Julie and Robert Murphy, J. Ward Van Dervort, and hosts Jennifer Sneed Heebe and Fred Heebe.
Host committee members included Thomas Callicut Jr., Betsie Meric Gambel, Elizabeth and Edward Haspel, Adee Heebe, Danielle Kavanagh, Denise and Bill Monteleone, Julie and Robert Murphy, J. Ward Van Dervort, Jennifer Sneed and
Fred Heebe.
Sarah Watson, Senior Communications Specialist for M. D. Anderson, says that both the luncheon and cocktail reception were, “an opportunity to thank New Orleans-area donors for their support and to share new information on cancer research and treatment in the areas of immunology and lymphoma as well as an overview of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.”
Hosts, co-chairs and committee members Fred and Jennifer Heebe and co-chair and committee member Ward Van Dervort
Henri Hall, Skip Brechtel and Kathy Weidner