Kids Beating Cancer’s Rose Society

The Rose Society of Kids Beating Cancer is back hosting another fabulous event this April. The Rose Society is a group of dedicated women committed to the mission of Kids Beating Cancer. The main purpose of the committee is raising funds for Kids Beating Cancer’s mission through their promotion of the Hats & Roses Luncheon & Fashion Show.

We are so excited to be hosting the fourth annual Hats & Roses Luncheon & Fashion Show on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the elegant Four Seasons Orlando Resort,” says Margaret Guedes, the founder of Kids Beating Cancer who started the organization after the passing of her son from Leukemia 30 years ago. “The event was attended by over 400 people last year and we are so excited for this year’s theme, The Royal Ascot, which will provide a unique opportunity to blend high-end fashion, gourmet cuisine, and local vendors, at a very elegant location. The impact of the community’s support of this extraordinary, unique event will be to save children’s lives right here in Central Florida,” she adds.

The tragic death of one little boy 30 years ago could have been simply that, a “tragic death.” Instead, the short life of that little boy has inspired the Central Florida community to support Kids Beating Cancer to advocate for these children and their families, who only want what every parent wants: their child to be healthy, to beat cancer, and for the family to survive the long journey to a cure. For the past 30 years Kids Beating Cancer has been carrying out its mission of providing children access to life-saving treatments through the science of cellular therapy and advancing pediatric innovative, novel, research, moving new discoveries to patient care, while supporting the children and their families throughout the journey to a cure.

The Rose Society of Kids Beating Cancer was founded by Dr. Francelis I. Gonzalez, known to many as Dr. G. “I accepted the challenge to create the Rose Society and put together the Hats & Roses Luncheon & Fashion Show, and I am very excited about this year’s theme,” Dr. Gonzalez says. “My commitment to Kids Beating Cancer started years ago and is linked to my career as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist. The road to recovery of pediatric patients affected with cancer is long. I understand that science and research is the key to discovering the cure to save lives. Together with purpose and passion we are coming together for this amazing event that will fulfill the goal of raising funds for Kids Beating Cancer.”

Last year, Kids Beating Cancer celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a vision to have a place dedicated to curing children by establishing the Kids Beating Cancer Children’s Center. “As we move into our 31st year, we are launching our vision to advance research to bring the latest treatment available worldwide to the bedside right here in Central Florida and beyond. Our dedication going forward is to create a unique, one-of-a-kind pediatric healing center of hope and opportunity dedicated to curing children by establishing the Kids Beating Cancer Children’s Center. Our focus remains on the belief we all strive for — the day when no child will die before they can experience the joy of life. Science and treatment will continue to be at the apex, where knowledge, treatment and family support coalesce to cure a little boy or girl,” states Margaret Guedes.

Rose Society Members:

April Ales

Anna Aveiga

Indira Ayala

Alyce Bartolomeo

Jaleh Benner

Farah Bloom

Ariane Brown

Deisamar Desoto-Torres

Sarvita Emch

Denise Fix

Francelis Gonzalez

Sarah Grafton

Therese(Tera) Hovhanessian

Chloe Ivanescu

Brigitte Jensen

Patsy Lamastus

Alma Lopez (Garces)

Ana Lopez

Yaneth Monsalve

Rosana Mourad

Graciela Nani

Juliana No

Betsy Otoya

Magda Luz Oyola (Sola)

Karen Parslow

Karina Perez

Jennifer Polanco

Lynette Quiñones

Maria (Olga Marcela) Restrepo

Dagmar Rios Rivers

Marianna Helena Rodriguez

MaryPaz Sanchez

Vivian Santiago

Carey Sheffield

Renuka Sivanesan

Christina Stadhard

Yeny Terrero

Mirella Thomas

Chrissy Toot

Isabella Tran

Imee Warren