The annual Children’s Cancer Fund Gala is so much more than its finale fashion show, in which children battling cancer model their favorite looks from Dillard’s alongside those whom they look up. The planning process begins much earlier and works to perfect details that not only draw A-list celebrities and Park Cities elite, but that provide a personalized and life-changing experience for each of the models. “You'll find that the people in the ballroom at one moment are laughing. At another moment, they're crying, and then we're all laughing again,” says Children’s Cancer Fund CEO Jennifer Arthur.
Patients from Children’s Health begin applying to be models months in advance, and the gala’s board members select 18 to 20 to participate in the event. “Our board … chooses a variety of children that reflect and represent kids fighting cancer— real life stories, a variety of ages, a variety of cancers, a variety of ethnicities,” Arthur says, noting the importance of showing that cancer crosses every demographic and stage of cancer diagnosis and treatment. “It's imperative that we share those stories, because we want our community to know what these families are going through,” Arthur says.
Honorary event chairs Dak Prescott and Trey Aikman, both Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks, then surprise each of the models at their homes or hospitals, alongside the gala chairs for the year. The 2026 chairs gala chairs are moms and business women Bina Palnitkar and Kasey Lempkin.
“Every time I come back, I’m reminded of the strength and courage these children show—not just on the runway, but in their daily fight. Being part of this is one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” says Aikman.
Prescott expressed a similar sentiment. “The joy these kids bring, knowing everything they’re going through and the resilience it takes just to be here, is what brings me back year after year. Being part of a night that gives them spirit, love, hope and support, while recognizing the obstacles they face every day, means the world to me,” he said.
A few months before the event, models are revealed during a special event at Northpark Center. The Dallas Cowboys provide each model with a customized football with their name on it, Aikman and Prescott announce the models, and Northpark co-owner Nancy Nasher gifts each child a shopping spree. “To be able to give the models an experience like this, where the community comes together say ‘We are in your corner. We're cheering for you. We honor you. We want to support you,’ is really special,” Arthur says.
Models then have a fitting sponsored by Dillard’s, in which they can select the outfit they will wear down the runway. Each model also shares someone they look up to or want to be when they grow up, who will be invited to walk the runway with them—everyone from a Dallas police officer to Elsa, the princess from the movie Frozen.
The event has transformed from a small luncheon that raised a few thousand dollars, to a dinner in 2016 that raised millions. Now, the event expects to raise more than $3 million each year. “Those funds go directly to research at Children's Health and UT Southwestern and child life programming,” Arthur says. This year’s event will be held April 16–17 at the Hilton Anatole. “We fund research because we want to find a cure for cancer, but in the meantime, we want to be able to serve these patients in a meaningful way,” Arthur says.
The event expects to raise more than $3 million for cancer research each year.
“Every time I come back, I’m reminded of the strength and courage these children show—not just on the runway, but in their daily fight. Being part of this is one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” Troy Aikman