Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger (left) was among the invited guests to help celebrate the birthdays of former President George (second from right) and Barbara Bush and raise money for an endowment in their name. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (third from right) flew in for the festivities.

Moving into the arena, guests were treated to a spectacular stage set up and a two-hour and 20-minute performance that was broadcast on Houston’s KTRK-TV two nights later. Audience favorite moments included the Governors George W. and Jeb Bush roasting and toasting their famous parents, with the Florida governor concluding that his father was the closest thing to a perfect man that God had ever created. Another unique staging was the Three American Tenors — Larry Gatlin, Michael W. Smith and John Berry — singing “O Sole Mio” and a medley of their own popular works. Their performance followed a special taped tribute from the original three tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. A year-long effort of mini-events and meetings prevailed from a team led by Milestones & Miracles chairman Mosbacher and M. D. Anderson President Dr. Mendelsohn along with Patrick Mulvey and Mary Kathryn Cooper in the Development Office. They were supported by M. D. Anderson faculty and staff across the institution as well as numerous volunteers who were actively involved in making the event possible.

Houston-based event management team Ward & Ames masterfully produced the evening affair, which culminated in a fireworks set that read Milestones & Miracles and blazed for over a minute while suspended 100 feet in the air.

Part of the memorable festivities was the lunch preceding the evening affair that was hosted by Texas Gov. George W. and Laura Bush for some 200 top donors and VIPs.

Before lunch, the first couple of Texas visited the pediatric unit at M. D. Anderson to view children’s artwork and read to dozens of pediatric patients who had huddled into the Hoglund Foundation Pedi-Dome to meet them. Dozens of local, regional and national media observed their every movement as the Bushes read from the popular children’s book “If You Give a Moose A Muffin.” The event brought to the campus the largest gathering of media in the institution’s history.

Texas Gov. George W. and Laura Bush read to dozens of pediatric patients in the Hoglund Foundation Pedi-Dome at M. D. Anderson before sitting down for aspecial luncheon in the cancer center's Houston Endowment Inc. Park.

The Bushes then moved down to the Houston Endowment Inc. Park to greet the VIP donors. The governor’s parents were on hand to welcome guests with Mosbacher, the event’s host. Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, actor and star of “The Promise Land” television series Gerald McRaney and Scott Hamilton were among many celebrities in attendance.

President Bush told the luncheon group that he has had no regrets in his life. “If I ever wanted anything in the way of recreation, I would get plenty of fishing in. If I ever wanted somebody to love, I’ve got 14 grandchildren. And if I ever wanted to think I was doing something that made a difference to somebody else, I’ve got M. D. Anderson.”

One attending donor was so moved by the afternoon and post-luncheon tour of the facility that he pledged another $100,000 to the endowment.

 

Endowment Supports Molecular Approaches to Cancer Therapy Gifts to The George and Barbara Bush Endowment for Innovative Cancer Research will support research exploring molecular approaches to cancer therapy. Progress is being made at an accelerating pace to understand what causes cancer at the molecular level, what regulates cell growth and how the body’s response affects the outcome of disease. M. D. Anderson researchers have identified precise molecular and genetic abnormalities that influence the development, progression and recurrence of cancer. Endowment contributions will further promising initiatives already under way and provide a stable, dependable source of funds for more research. Discoveries made in this area ultimately will lead to significant improvements in the detection, treatment and prevention of cancer. For more information about The George and Barbara Bush Endowment for Innovative Cancer Research, call 713/792-3450 or 800/525-5841.

Former President George Bush (left), chairman of Milestones & Miracles Robert Mosbacher, former first lady Barbara Bush and M. D. Anderson President Dr. John Mendelsohn cut the three-tiered birthday cake, which featured artwork created by pediatric patients at M. D. Anderson.