Cattle Baron’s Ball Hits Home For 2015 Chairs

The annual Cattle Baron’s Ball is known among Dallasites as a boot-scootin’ good time. But for this year’s chairs, the cause behind the party — fundraising for the American Cancer Society — means so much more than an excuse to polish their boots.

Co-chair Tia Wynne’s cousin, Jacque Wynne, founded the Dallas ball in 1974, and then another cousin, Catherine Wynne, chaired the 2009 ball.

“It’s kind of a family thing to be involved in,” she said.

But her reasons go beyond just the ball.

“Personally, my husband lost his first cousin to colon cancer within the last year,” she added. “That makes the cause even closer to home. My life has been touched by it a lot closer.”

Her co-chair is someone who also takes the cause to heart. Wynne and Mary Martha Pickens both joined the Cattle Baron’s Ball committee in 2007, making this their ninth year to work on the event together.

Pickens was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at 12 years old.

“There was an only 18 percent survival rate at that time,” she said.

Pickens endured a leg amputation and multiple years of strong chemotherapy in order to achieve a full recovery. But facing that trial so early in life motivated her to work toward a better future for all cancer patients.

“That needle has moved from 18 percent to maybe 27 or 30 percent,” she said. “It hasn’t gone nearly as far as we need it to go, along with many other types of cancer like pancreatic, stomach, and ovarian. We’ve moved the needle, but not nearly enough on cancer research.”

Armed with their personal stories and experiences, Wynne and Pickens work on a committee of 100 women to help give back through Cattle Baron’s. Underwriting funds from the event go toward cancer research within the North Texas region.

“It’s in hopes that someone else does not have to suffer with a loved one who is lost or has to go through this ordeal,” Pickens said.

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