Women’s Auxiliary Celebrates 10 Years of Giving in Support of Children’s Medical Center Plano

Interview by Jan Osborn. Photos Courtesy of Legacy of Love.

The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano will present its 10th Annual Legacy of Love hosted at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy WEST on April 9, 2022 at 11:30 a.m., featuring a  conversation with Barbara Pierce Bush and local radio host, Krys Boyd. 

“We are thrilled to unveil a new and exciting format for Legacy of Love this year in celebration of our 10th Anniversary. This milestone year is especially significant as we reflect on the challenges of the last  couple years and continue the rich tradition of Legacy of Love to raise funds and awareness for  Children’s Medical Center Plano,” said Allison Doyle, president of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano, “We are passionate about Children’s Health’s mission to make life better for children and are honored to support patients and families.” 

The 2022 Legacy of Love will showcase an intimate conversation with Bush and Boyd as well as highlight  inspiring patient stories, an amazing raffle and an online silent auction. Bush is the co-founder and Board Chair of Global Health Corps (GHC), an organization that mobilizes young leaders to solve the world’s most pressing health issues. She has been named one of Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year and was recognized as one of Newsweek’s Women of Impact. Boyd is the host and managing  editor of Think from KERA in Dallas. Think is a national call-in radio program and is among the most downloaded local podcasts and has been honored with numerous local, state, and national awards. 

Sharon Yager and Joan Smith have been involved with Children’s Medical Center Plano’s Women’s Auxiliary for over a decade and are co-chairing the 10th Annual Legacy of Love Luncheon. We recently had the opportunity to visit with the co-chairs and learn more about Children’s Health and how they got involved with the Auxiliary.

Children’s Health has been caring for children for over 100 years, to enhance care for patients, discover cures for childhood illnesses and improve health and wellness across the board for the North Texas community.  How does the Women’s Auxiliary create a brighter future for the patients and families served by Children’s Health in Plano?

The Women’s Auxiliary supports and enhances the important programs offered to patients and their families by raising funds, providing support to patients and staff.  We are also excellent ambassadors in the community to raise awareness about Children’s Medical Center.

What inspired you to get involved with the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano?

We think the common denominator of all the women in the Auxiliary is that they share the same compassion for the children and families who are struggling with illness and other challenges.  We want to help to make it all a little bit easier!

Legacy of Love is celebrating its 10th year of raising funds for Children’s Medical Center Plano.  Tell us how you first got involved in this incredible fundraiser. 

We’ve both been involved since the inception of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano.  We both have experienced the stress of a child facing illness so deciding to get involved and help was an easy decision.  Playing a small part of the lives of our patients and their families is very gratifying, it makes us smile and reminds us to be grateful every day!

In this milestone year, what can guests/donors look forward to at this year’s Legacy of Love luncheon?

The Legacy of Love event this year is a new format. Having a luncheon with an inspirational speaker who could engage our audience for our 10-year anniversary was the goal! We are so excited to have Barbara Pierce Bush as our speaker along with Krys Boyd as the moderator.  Of course, we have kept the mission of Children’s Health at the center of our program.  Our superhero patients will be joining us for the big day wearing special shoes they each decorated and a superhero cape highlighting their courage and strength.  

What is your fundraising goal for this 10th anniversary year?

We want to have a broader reach in the community and share the mission moments that make Children Medical Center Plano so special.  With the growing population in the area, we are always looking to fund as many critical programs as we possibly can, especially with the current Children’s Plano expansion under way.

What is your favorite memory of Legacy of Love specifically?

This year, as a part of the production and planning for the event experience, we were able to spend some amazing time with Children’s patients and families.  We laughed, we cried, and we were so grateful to share the time with them. Being around these inspiring children is something we will never forget.

The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Plano is now over 12 years old and has been supporting Children’s Health by providing funding, serving as advocates in the community, providing support through in-hospital programs for patients and families in Plano since the campus was built. What do you love most about being a part of the Women’s Auxiliary?

We love being a part of such a group of talented women of various strengths and abilities who are so mission driven.  The Women’s Auxiliary  is centered around families and our mission is to make life better for children.

Event and raffle tickets are available online now at www.childrens.com/legacyoflove. Premier tickets and  sponsorship opportunities start at $1,000 and some levels include a VIP Meet and Greet with Bush, and  an exclusive invitation to attend the Sponsor Party at Tiffany’s in March. Individual tickets are available  for $150. 

“The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano believes deeply in making life better for  children and the impact of their continued partnership across the years is huge,” said Brent Christopher, president of Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “For almost a decade, Legacy of Love has provided  life-changing funds that directly benefit patients and their families, while giving everyone a special  glimpse of what happens at Children’s Health. We are excited to celebrate 10 years alongside the Auxiliary at this year’s luncheon. It is sure to be nothing short of spectacular, and we can’t wait!” 

The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano was formed in 2010 to help meet the needs  of Children’s Medical Center Plano, which officially opened its doors in August 2008. Net proceeds from  Legacy of Love directly support Children’s Medical Center Plano. Since 2010, the Women’s Auxiliary,  Plano Chapter has raised over $1.8 million for the Children’s Health mission to make life better for  children.  

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