Ally’s Wish will hold its sixth annual Boots and Blessings Gala Saturday, April 18, at Austin Ranch in Grapevine. This year, former Dallas Cowboys Defensive Lineman Tony Casillas and his wife Tamara of Flower Mound will host the event. Tamara, a mother and cancer survivor, says she and Tony were drawn to Ally’s Wish because of the organization's work in granting wishes to terminally ill young mothers.
Why did you and Tony take on the responsibility to Chair this year's gala?
Tony and I had been trying to decide how we were going to celebrate me reaching my five-year survivorship mark when Missy (Ally’s Wish Founder) called me and asked me if we would chair the gala. We discussed it and decided that giving back would be the perfect way to celebrate my survivorship. So many people helped us in so many ways that giving back in some way just felt perfect. Especially since I am a mother, and my children were young when I was diagnosed. We know how lucky I am and our hearts go out to all the families that cannot say the same.
Why is it important to support Ally’s Wish?
It’s is important to support Ally’s wish because the money is actually going to granting wishes to terminally ill mothers with young children. This charity isn’t charging people $1,000 for a seat at the table. The wishes are modest but impactful. Most are only $5,000. There is a long list of women waiting for wishes to be granted, and Ally’s wish intends to grant them. We just need people to come to the gala, celebrate with us, give what they can and leave knowing they made a difference in someone’s life that will be a forever memory for their families. Seriously knowing this how could you say no?