Houston, TX, March 26, 2026 — The Rose raised more than $340,000 at its annual Everything’s Coming Up Roses Luncheon, held at River Oaks Country Club, to support breast health services for uninsured and underinsured women.
Chaired by Mitra Woody, well known Community Volunteer, the event brought together community leaders and advocates committed to expanding access to care and removing the financial barriers to screening and diagnostics that women need for early detection.
“Each year, thousands of uninsured and underinsured patients turn to The Rose for the essential breast health services they cannot afford elsewhere,” said Woody. “For those women, a screening isn’t just a medical appointment — it’s the first step toward survival. The Rose ensures that every woman, regardless of her financial situation, has access to the care she needs.”
The Rose honored mother and daughter duo Nancy Strohmer and Shelley Cooper for their leadership and philanthropic commitment to improving breast health access in the Greater Houston area. Both women are breast cancer survivors. Their shared experience, albeit eight years apart, reflects the courage and hope that defines so many of the families The Rose serves. They remind us why access to care and early detection truly save lives.
Not only did they share having breast cancer but the physician who cared first for Shelley and then Nancy was the luncheon’s keynote speaker, Elizabeth Bonefas, M.D. assistant professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine who specializes in treatment of diseases of the breast. During her speech, Dr. Bonefas emphasized the need for young women to have access to mammograms, noting the growing number of women under 40 who are being diagnosed. Bonefas has a long history of working with The Rose including caring for the youngest patient (18) ever diagnosed at The Rose.
“Thanks to the generosity of our guests, women who might otherwise go without care will receive screenings and follow up services that can save their lives,” said Dorothy Gibbons, Co-Founder of The Rose. “We are so grateful to Mitra, Nancy, Shelley, and Dr. Bonefas for making the luncheon such a success for the community.”
Each year, The Rose serves more than 40,000 women throughout Southeast Texas at its two Houston-based diagnostic centers and on its Pink Fleet of five mobile mammography coaches, reaching rural and medically underserved areas across 45 counties.
The 2026 luncheon was made possible through the support of Rochelle and Alan Jacobson, Gas Innovations, Nancy Strohmer/Shelley Cooper, Maria and Bill Boyce, Houston Methodist, and Becky Wilder Ruthven. For a full list of underwriters, visit www.therose.org/luncheon. To learn more about The Rose or support its mission, visit www.therose.org.
To schedule a media interview with any member of The Rose, please contact Ivis Batista at 978-885-7306 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided a full range of breast health services to more than one million patients. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As one of 12 ACR Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers in Houston, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for access to care. Annually, The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and a fleet of Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 45 counties in Southeast Texas.
