Fundraising Events

2024 NCCN Foundation Lotus Luncheon

NCCN Foundation is hosting a luncheon fundraiser on May 16, 2024 at the Junior League of Houston in Houston, Texas. This fundraiser will educate and empower people affected by cancer through free patient resources and oncology innovations.

The event will honor Dr. Roberta Schwartz. As Chief Innovation Officer at Houston Methodist. Dr. Roberta Schwartz, a dedicated advocate for those impacted by cancer, leads with compassion and expertise, helping individuals on their journey through the complexities of the healthcare system. She is committed to a more personalized and easier health journey for all patients.

Special speaker Dr. Courtney Burnett will share her incredible story of self-diagnosing her brain tumor (which turned out to be an incurable and rare form of brain cancer) while studying medicine in Thailand at the age of 29.

Dr. Burnett continues to treat patients in a hospital setting, and creator of the well-known blog, “Elephant, Lotus, Brain Tumor” and author of the award-winning memoir Difficult Gifts. Most inspiring is how Dr. Burnett sees her diagnosis as a difficult gift: a gift that can teach, motivate, change, and inspire. She is also passionate about raising awareness of brain cancer and patient advocacy.

Leisa Holland-Nelson, as Host Committee Chair, champions and advocates for this event in support of NCCN Foundation and for helping people affected by cancer.

NCCN Foundation is grateful to the Host Committee for their commitment to this event and to helping those affected by cancer.

Eva Archer-Smith
Chree Boydstun
Sue and Rusty Burnett
Cherri Carbonara
Charity Yarborough Cox
Susie Distefano
Lauren Fisher
Marilu Garza
Paula Goldstein
Barbara and Buddy Herz
Alicia Jansen
Cassie Kopecky

Frann Gordon Lichtenstein
Roz Pactor
Kim Padgett
Leila Perrin
Sandra Porter
Vicki Rizzo
Jenny Barnett Sarpalius
Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber
Roberta Schwartz, PhD
Debra Feigin Sukin, PhD
Barbara Van Postman and Jim Rapson
Kelly J. Zúñiga, EdD

To join us and learn more about NCCN Foundation, please email Jen Sweeney at sweeney@nccn.org or go to https://nccnfoundation.givingfuel.com/lotusluncheon to RSVP.