BEATLEukemia Ball ready to rock ‘n’ roll funding for nonprofit working on defeating disease 

Leukemia Texas says they want a revolution in research and treatment for the disease. They’ll get there with a little help from their friends.

To paraphrase a Beatles song, it was 20 events ago today that the nonprofit organization Leukemia Texas launched its signature fundraising event. This year, the organization whose mission is to help Texans battling leukemia through patient aid, research and innovation, is presenting the 20th BEATLEukemia Ball, set for 5:30-11 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Simmons Bank Pavilion, Dickies Arena. The featured entertainment is, appropriately enough, The Fab Four, the Ultimate Tribute to the Beatles. Attire is Sgt. Pepper chic with black tie optional. 

“It will be a trip through rock ‘n’ roll history,” said Sharon McGowan, executive director of the organization. McGowan said she has not seen the band perform, but has watched their YouTube videos. 

“They literally transform into the Beatles, all four of them, with hair, makeup and costume. The whole bit. They do three sets, so there’s two costume changes to kind of reflect the different eras of the band.”

A previous executive director saw the band perform in Las Vegas and knew they would be perfect for the fundraiser, McGowan said. Rock ‘n’ roll will be a theme of sorts for the whole week of Leukemia Texas events. 

Before the event, John Einarson, a Canadian music historian and educator, is donating his time and expertise to fundraising events beginning 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Mira Vista Country Club in Fort Worth. The evening will begin with a reception and a Tex-Mex buffet dinner. Einarson will present stories from his new book, “From Born to Be Wild to Dazed and Confused: Rock Music’s Revolution in 1968.”

Einarson’s career has included in-depth interviews and books about such well-known musicians as Neil Young, Gene Clark, John Kay and the Flying Burrito Brothers.

From 6-8 p.m. on June 6, Einarson will be present for a book-signing at Barnes & Noble Hulen Center, 4801 Overton Ridge Blvd. and from noon-2 p.m. June 7 at Record Town, 120 St. Louis Ave. 

Dr. Paul Bowman, a retired pediatric oncologist from Cook Children’s Medical Center and his wife, cancer and community advocate Lois Bowman, are co-chairs of the organization and have been involved for several years. 

If You Go 

What: BEATLEukemia Ball, a fundraiser for Leukemia Texas 

When: 5:30-11 p.m. Saturday, June 7

Where: Simmons Bank Pavilion, Dickies Arena

Who: The Fab Four, the Ultimate Tribute to the Beatles 

What to wear: Attire is Sgt. Pepper chic with black tie optional. 

For more information: BEATLEukemia Ball

The event was originally held in Dallas, but 10 years ago they began to hold the fundraiser in Fort Worth, where it has been very successful according to Lois Bowman. 

“It really worked out for us and we can’t wait for this one to celebrate 20 years,” she said. 

Paul Bowman has been involved with leukemia, particularly childhood leukemia, since he was a medical student in the early 1970s. He spent 50 years as a pediatric oncologist, with 36 of those years in Fort Worth, primarily at Cook Children’s Medical Center. He also pioneered the first pediatric bone marrow transplants for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Cook Children’s and directed a program focused on quality of life issues for young survivors.

Bowman said there has been a lot of progress made in leukemia treatment and research since he began his practice, but there is still work to be done. 

Leukemia Texas was founded by the late M.T. “Buddy” Minyard of the Minyard’s grocery store chain, to honor the memory of his wife, Clairene, who died of the disease in 1967. Today Minyard’s daughters Liz and Gretchen are co-chair members of the organization. 

Since its founding, the organization has awarded over $10 million in research and patient aid. 

Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at [email protected]. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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