Sydney Mayrell is a 7-year-old that resides in Preston Hollow with her parents, sister, and three cats. Her hobbies include playing the piano and tumbling. Like many other first grade girls, Sydney has dreams of meeting Taylor Swift and swimming with dolphins.
But Sydney’s dream job is a little less common for girls her age: she says that when she grows up, she wants to be a radiation doctor.
Sydney was diagnosed with stage four alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive form of soft-tissue cancer, at the age of three. A 54-week course of chemotherapy at Children’s Medical Hospital followed. After extensive treatment, Sydney is currently in remission.
To help raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research at Children’s Medical Center, Sydney is participating in the 26th annual Children’s Cancer Fund (CCF) Luncheon on Friday, April 4. Organizers say the event serves as a positive social-psychological experience for children undergoing cancer treatment.
To date, the luncheon is slated to raise over $250,000 for pediatric cancer research.
Artwork by Sydney Mayrell
During the luncheon Sydney, along with 20 other local children fighting cancer, will walk the runway with celebrity escorts and sponsors, including long-time co-chairs Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. FOX 4 anchors Steve Eagar and Preston Hollow’s own Clarice Tinsley will serve as “Master and Mistress of Ceremonies” at the event.
The newly published Children’s Cancer Fund “Inspiration Book,” will be unveiled at the luncheon and available for purchase for $15 as well. The book includes original artwork by the children participating in the fashion show, inspired by their experiences with cancer. Sydney’s drawing is of a cottage “that seems warm and cozy.”
See Sydney in person as she struts her stuff on the runway at the luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. (Come early to participate in a champagne reception and auction that includes a Mercedes Benz.) Tickets are $150 per person or $1,250 per table of ten. For reservations and more information, click here or call 972.664.1450.
