CARSON LESLIE FOUNDATION

SERVES: Pediatric cancer patients in Dallas and medical research for less-toxic treatments

Christmas Eve carries special meaning for the Leslie family. It’s the night they learned their teenage son’s brain cancer was terminal. Now, every year the Preston Hollow residents throw a big party on the cancer floor of Children’s Medical Center, showering the patients with gifts. “Our hearts draw us there each Christmas Eve,” says Annette Leslie, whose son Carson died in January 2010 at age 17. She launched the Carson Leslie Foundation in his honor to raise money for less-toxic pediatric cancer treatments and to arrange fun outings to help improve the patients’ emotional wellbeing. During Carson’s time at Children’s, the Leslies noticed the hospital had plenty of space for small kids to gather but no place for teens, who experience cancer much differently. A large donation recently was made in Carson’s name to establish a room just for teenage cancer patients to connect with one another. The family hopes to receive naming rights to call it “Carson’s Corner.”

VOLUNTEER: A variety of positions are available, both short- and long-term, in areas such as finance, fundraising, social media and event planning. The Shady Lady auxiliary group also accepts new members to help advance the foundation’s mission.

ATTEND: The fifth annual Sunny Place Shindig is 6:30-11:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Fashion Industry Gallery. The fundraiser features a Texas Hold ’em tournament, a chicken drop, a silent auction and other activities. Sponsorship levels begin at $500.

GIVE: $25 buys a gift for a teen to enjoy on the most difficult days of treatment.