Virtual Event Honored Babe’s Late Son Luke’s Cancer Journey, Funded Uplifting Hospital Care Packages
Babe Laufenberg delighted Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) Warriors (children with cancer) and their families by joining the viewing party for the virtual WOKC Buddy Bag Bash presented by the Dallas Magnolias, at the Angelika Film Center & Café in Dallas, on the evening of May 4, 2021. The inspirational, virtual event, which funded Buddy Bags, care packages for children undergoing cancer treatment, featured Babe Laufenberg sharing his late son Luke’s personal journey with childhood cancer through an exclusive conversation with CBS 11 anchor Karen Borta. Fellow Dallas Cowboys stars Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, and Jason Garrett also made special virtual appearances and spoke to the powerful impact their friend Babe had on them as he responded to Luke’s adversity. WOKC Warriors and their parents shared their stories in the program and how WOKC has served them well with Buddy Bags and hope. Since this year’s Buddy Bag Bash event was held virtually, Laufenberg personally attended the private viewing party as a way to support and encourage other families going through childhood cancer.
Each $250 ticket to the event funded a WOKC Buddy Bag, a care package for childhood cancer patients admitted for a stay at one of WOKC’s partner hospitals: Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Children’s Hospital, and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Ft. Worth. Laufenberg, Aikman, Johnston, and Garrett signed a limited number of footballs, presented as a gift with purchase of three Buddy Bag Bash event tickets. Supporters can help WOKC with post-event donations (purchase “tickets”), with eligibility for the autographed footballs while supplies last at wokc.org.
“We were honored to have Babe Laufenberg take part in this year’s event. His courage, strength, and compassion as he walked through his son Luke’s cancer journey were inspirational and encouraged all those who participated in the Buddy Bag Bash,” explained Cindy Brinker Simmons, WOKC founder. “Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer offers hope to the resilient young heroes we serve who are battling cancer and to their brave families through our Buddy Bag program. Many families say these Buddy Bags are medicine for the soul. We thank all who joined us for the event and encourage others to make a donation to help bring a smile to the faces of children impacted by cancer with the blessing of a Buddy Bag.”
WOKC Buddy Bags are filled with over 30 items from essential toiletries to fun and entertaining activities to a pillow and blanket for family members. Buddy Bags are a result of thoughtful collaboration by parents of kids with cancer, who know better than anyone which products are most needed for their hospital stay.
Dallas Magnolias, presenting sponsor for the WOKC virtual Buddy Bag Bash, celebrated at the viewing party on May 4: (left to right) Tammany Stern, Dr. Carla Russo, Regina Bruce, and Jacqueline Griffin. Photo: Danny Campbell Photography.
“WOKC extends our heartfelt thanks to Babe Laufenberg, Karen Borta, Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, Jason Garrett, event Chair Francine Wittenberg Cashen, and our current and former Warriors and their families for their generous participation, along with presenting event sponsor the Dallas Magnolias women’s philanthropy group,” added Aashik Khakoo, WOKC CEO. “Together, we are working for the day when all children are free from the threat of cancer!”
About Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer - For over 40 years, Dallas-based Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) has been fighting cancer and supporting families. WOKC has funded $7 million in seed money for novel pediatric cancer research projects, which have yielded $22 million in additional grant money over these past four decades. Through fun and supportive social engagement programs, WOKC gives hope to children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Buddy Bags provide every cancer patient a much-needed care package during hospital stays among WOKC’s three partnering DFW hospitals: Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Children’s Hospital, and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Ft. Worth. Families participating in WOKC’s Warrior Program receive fun support through unique events, parties, and activities. Pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S., with 43 American children diagnosed daily (1 every 30 minutes). WOKC is working relentlessly for the day when cancer is no longer a threat to all children. To find out more about WOKC and its programs, please visit wokc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Dallas Magnolias - Dallas Magnolias mission is to provide an active way of helping disadvantaged and underserved youth, the military, veterans, and first responders and their families, victims of domestic violence, and women being treated for breast cancer and/or heart disease in North Texas. Visit the website at magnolias.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.