HOUSTON – For nearly four decades Dr. Dixie Melillo has held the hands of patients receiving the harshest of news, beamed as breast cancer survivors returned to her in gratitude for their navigation to treatment, and garnered the respect and admiration of colleagues, area businesses, donors and funders. As co-founder of The Rose, a nonprofit breast health organization now serving 25 counties, she’s received awards and accolades nationally and internationally.
And on August 2 at the Pasadena Convention Center, she will be celebrated in style – Dr. Dixie Melillo style that is — at the 25th Annual Shrimp Boil.
Known for her fun-loving spirit (she gifted herself with a motorcycle for a recent significant birthday) and her uninterrupted annual attendance at all the prior summertime fundraisers for The Rose, “Dr. Dixie” was the top choice of the volunteer committee planning for the 25th Annual Shrimp Boil.
“We wanted to make the 25th Shrimp Boil one to remember,” said Cheryl Cochran, the Committee Chair and coordinator at Styrolution America. “We have doubled our outreach efforts to donors and sponsors and, by honoring Dr. Dixie’s incredible gift of service to our community and establishing this tribute fund, we hope to double the money raised, making this event the highest fundraiser The Rose has seen in its history.”
Along with the recognition of Dr. Melillo, ticket holders will be treated to plates of shrimp and “all the fixin’s,” music from area favorite The Slags, homemade desserts, a silent auction of more than 100 themed baskets, a live auction that includes the chance to take home Business First tickets on any United flight in the continental U.S., and a Kid’s Creative Zone.
Current sales indicate that Cochran’s goal is within reach with more than 500 participants already registered and tables going fast. Packages are still available for 4, 8, 10 and 12 including a $25,000 Silver Anniversary table.
Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose with Dr. Melillo, notes that without the gifts of time, resources, and energy from Shrimp Boil committee members, local businesses, and event day volunteers, events like the Shrimp Boil would not be possible. And without fundraisers like the Shrimp Boil, the work of The Rose would not exist.
“Dixie and I started The Rose to meet the needs of the community,” Gibbons said. “Working in the same hospital back then, we saw far too many women who were delaying screenings – sometimes until it was too late. Dixie dreamed of a place that cared as much for the uninsured woman as the insured. While we realized that dream – now seeing 35,000 come to us annually with almost 10,000 of them uninsured — we continue to shake our heads at how many women are still desperate for access to care. This event honoring my friend will make a life-saving difference in thousands of lives.”
Cochran and Gibbons both praise sponsors who have already committed funds to the 25th Annual Shrimp Boil especially noting Oates Industries, Inc. and The Methodist Hospital System who have each contributed $10,000. Other sponsors to date include Albemarle Foundation (Pasadena Plant); American Cargo Assurance, LLC & CGBM; Buffalo Flange, Inc.; ComedySportz Houston; Eileen Campbell; Genetech; Patricia Krueger; Texas Citizens Bank; Trinet; and Painting with a Twist, La Marque. AmSpec is underwriting the cost of the shrimp.
To volunteer, donate an auction item, and/or become a sponsor contact Special Events at 281.464.5165 or [email protected]. Online tickets are now on sale for $25/adults and $10/children at www.TheRose.org.
