"In Grandma's Garden" - Breast Cancer Awareness Reception and Book Signing

On Wednesday, October 26, 2016, Park Cities residents Muffin Lemak and Susan Palma hosted a cocktail reception to celebrate author and philanthropist Brenda West Cockerell’s children’s book, In Grandma’s Garden, and the recent partnership with Baylor Heath Care System Foundation’s Celebrating Women.



Hostess Susan Palma, Author Brenda West Cockerell and Hostess Muffin Lemak

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, friends of the three women gathered in the garden room in the home of Muffin Lemak to mix and mingle amongst the flowers while light bites and delicate desserts by Preston Hollow Catering were passed. Guests marveled at the book’s illustrations as Cockerell explained that 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of In Grandma’s Garden will benefit breast cancer research and support initiatives.



Lindsay Mayer, Cara Carmickle, Joelle Mayer and Amie Raney

 Current beneficiaries include Baylor Heath Care System Foundation’s Celebrating Women for the purpose of breast cancer research, and specifically Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy’s revolutionary work. Celebrating Women is Baylor Health Care System Foundation’s annual luncheon to raise funds for Baylor Scott & White Health – North Texas’ fight against breast cancer. By working with Baylor Health Care System Foundation, Cockerell hopes to bring change to those struggling with breast cancer by increasing awareness and funding for the breast cancer research of Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy, medical oncologist at the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Center at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas and Celebrating Women Endowed Chair in Breast Cancer Research.



Claire Emanuelson and Piper Wyatt

In Grandma’s Garden was written as a tribute to Holly Horton, a fellow educator and Cockerell’s dear friend who passed away from breast cancer in 2009. Together, the friends bonded over memories of blissful days spent in their grandmothers’ gardens and dreamed of creating a children’s book that would elicit the same joy with readers.

Julie Hawes and Christy Berry

 “Holly’s battle with breast cancer was one that many women in our community are fighting,” Cockerell said. “I can’t think of a better way to honor Holly than by donating the proceeds of In Grandma’s Garden to fund research in hope of finding a cure for breast cancer.”

 

Guests included: Brenda Cockerell, Muffin Lemak, Susan Palma, DeeDee Lee, Christy Berry, Claire Emanuelson, Piper Wyatt, Shelle Sills, Kathy Shuford, Barbara Fritts, Neva Hall, Cindy Feld, Ola Fojtasek, Jolie Humphrey, Beth Ewing, and Lisa Anwar, among others.