About the Silver Spurs Gala
The gala originated in 1989 as a "little western-type fundraiser" with Ronnie Milsap as headliner. through the generosity of Paul and Dody Wood the event was held at Colonial Wood in North Arlington for many years.
Through the years Honorary Chairs included Mr. and Mrs. Tom Landry, and Nolan and Ruth Ryan. Many popular country singers and bands performed at Spurs, including Garth Brooks, Asleep at the Wheel, Tracy Byrd, Martina McBride, Steve Wariner, Hwy. 101, Trisha Yearwood, Wayne Shelton, the Oakridge Boys, Leanne Womack and Kool and the Gang.
Among the many successful event chairs were Holly and Chuck Reynolds, Valerie and Jerry Dodson, Scott and Carole Murray, Marsha and Larry Hilcher, Wanda and Morrie Minshew, Doreen and Joe Bruner, Laura and Al DiStefano, Debbie and Jack Gray, Teresa and Jim Wagnon, Barbie Williams, Sharon Godwin, and Pat Jacoby.
In 2003, the Mr. and Mrs. Silver Spurs Fundraising Challenge origniated with several couples competing to see who could raise the most dollars for cancer research. Al and Laura DiStefano brought in the most, but the real winners were the recepients of the grants the following year.
In 2007, the live auction included a cutting and reining horse sold for $53,000! The silent and live auctions are fun and exciting. Each year is a surprise, from flying lessons, to fine jewelry, to fishing or hunting trips, autographed sports memorabilia, to Caribbean and Alaskan cruises and more.
About the Cancer Research Foundation of North Texas
The Foundation was founded in 1987 as a non-profit corporation for the purpose of funding research and providing cancer awareness and preventative education. CRFNT has made valuable contributions to the North Texas area in the form of grants, cancer detection equipment and service programs totaling over $2.5 million.
The foundation's research grants have become fundamental to highly promising cancer research focused on the sub-cellular level. At the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, researchers are seeking solutions to the cause of cancer metastasis from the primary site to the brain.
Professors from the University of Texas at Arlington and University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth have focused on the role that some proteins play in cancer cell deaths. They are now studying membrane transport mechanisms which mediate drug resistance in malignancies.
Researchers ar Cook Children's Medical Center are collaborating with co-investigators at Texas Christian University to evaluate the role of the Hepatitis C Protein in triggering cancer of the liver. Other researchers at Cook Children's are working with co-investigators at the University of North Texas Health Science Center to study the role of molecular pathways in the etiology of childhood leukemia and neuroblastoma.
Monies for grants are raise primarily at the bi-annual Silver Spurs Gala (odd years) and Torch of Hope (even years).