Unbridled Courage
Children's Cancer Fund 36th Annual Gala · Dallas, Texas
Honoring the bravest children in North Texas alongside
Dak Prescott & Troy Aikman
Portraits of Courage
On April 17, 2026, the Hilton Anatole Dallas glowed with something rare: the intersection of glamour and genuine purpose. The Children's Cancer Fund 36th Annual Unbridled Courage Gala gathered more than 1,000 supporters to raise critical funds for pediatric cancer research at Children's Health and UT Southwestern.
At the heart of the evening, ZIYĀ -- Make Your Life Sweeter's AI Watercolor Portrait Experience -- transformed gala guests into living works of art. One by one, the portraits revealed what the eye can barely hold: elegance, resilience, and the unbridled spirit that defines this extraordinary night.
Honorary Co-Chairs Dak Prescott and Troy Aikman continued the legendary "Quarterbacks for a Cure" legacy, walking the runway alongside the true stars of the evening: the young pediatric cancer patients of Children's Health. Gala Co-Chairs Bina Palnitkar and Kasey Lemkin led the evening, with Celebrity Chair Tina Craig bringing her signature energy to the runway.
During cocktail hour, Avondale Dealerships -- Dallas's premier luxury automotive group and home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas -- sponsored the ZIYĀ experience, inviting guests to take in the stunning Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the marque's iconic luxury SUV, while receiving a custom AI watercolor portrait as a keepsake of the evening. The pairing of Rolls-Royce's bespoke craftsmanship with ZIYĀ's AI artistry created a cocktail hour activation unlike anything the gala had seen before.
The Gala
Children's Cancer Fund 36th Annual Gala
"Unbridled Courage" Fashion Show & Gala
April 17, 2026 · Hilton Anatole Dallas
Honorary Co-Chairs
Dak Prescott — Dallas Cowboys QB1
Troy Aikman — Dallas Cowboys Legend
Part of the "Quarterbacks for a Cure" legacy alongside Roger Staubach and Tony Romo
Gala Chairs
Bina Palnitkar & Kasey Lemkin
Celebrity Chair: Tina Craig
Sponsor
Avondale Dealerships
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas · 5300 Lemmon Ave, Dallas TX
Sponsor of the ZIYĀ AI Watercolor Portrait Experience, featuring the Rolls-Royce Cullinan luxury SUV during cocktail hour
ZIYĀ AI Watercolor Portrait Experience
Custom AI-generated watercolor portraits for every gala guest. Available for luxury events, galas, and brand activations in Dallas, New York, and worldwide.
Benefiting
Pediatric cancer research and Child Life services at Children's Health and UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas.
ZIYĀ at the CCF Gala
ZIYĀ is the AI Watercolor Portrait Experience by Make Your Life Sweeter, a Dallas-based luxury event experiences company. Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence, ZIYĀ transforms live event photos into stunning watercolor portrait artwork in real time. Gala guests at the Children's Cancer Fund 36th Annual Unbridled Courage Gala received a custom AI watercolor portrait as a take-home keepsake from the evening. ZIYĀ has been featured at events for brands including Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Forbes, Maserati, and more.
The 2026 Children's Cancer Fund Unbridled Courage Gala was co-chaired by Kasey Lemkin and Bina Palnitkar. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys QB1) and Troy Aikman (Dallas Cowboys legend and broadcaster) served as Honorary Co-Chairs, continuing the celebrated "Quarterbacks for a Cure" legacy established by Roger Staubach. Tina Craig, co-founder of U Beauty, served as Celebrity Chair. Jennifer Arthur serves as CEO of Children's Cancer Fund.
The Children's Cancer Fund 36th Annual Unbridled Courage Fashion Show & Gala was held on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. The event is one of Dallas's most celebrated philanthropic galas, raising millions annually for pediatric cancer research at Children's Health and UT Southwestern.
Yes. ZIYĀ by Make Your Life Sweeter is available for charity galas, corporate events, brand activations, weddings, and luxury private events in Dallas, New York City, and worldwide. Each portrait is a fully custom AI-generated watercolor artwork created live at your event. To inquire about booking ZIYĀ for your next event, visit makeyourlifesweeter.com or call 214.500.3725.
Children's Cancer Fund (CCF) is a Dallas, Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 by a coalition of parents whose children were receiving cancer treatment at Children's Health. CCF raises millions of dollars annually for pediatric cancer research and Child Life services, and has created 10 endowments supporting patients at Children's Health and UT Southwestern. Jennifer Arthur is the CEO of Children's Cancer Fund, leading the organization's mission to find a cure for all childhood cancers. Learn more at childrenscancerfund.com.
Troy Aikman has supported Children's Cancer Fund for more than 30 years, becoming one of the gala's most consistent champions. Dak Prescott joined as an honorary chair, continuing a longstanding Dallas Cowboys tradition known as "Quarterbacks for a Cure" -- a legacy created by Cowboys legend Roger Staubach and sustained by Aikman, Tony Romo, and Prescott. Both have spoken of the deep personal meaning the event holds, citing the courage of the young patients as their inspiration to return year after year. The 2026 gala raised more than $3 million for pediatric cancer research.
Avondale Dealerships is Dallas's premier luxury automotive group, representing Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas, Bentley Dallas, McLaren Dallas, Aston Martin Dallas, Maserati Dallas, and more, all located at 5300 Lemmon Avenue in Dallas. Avondale sponsored the ZIYĀ AI Watercolor Portrait Experience at the 2026 Children's Cancer Fund Unbridled Courage Gala, presenting guests with a one-of-a-kind cocktail hour activation that paired the legendary Rolls-Royce Cullinan luxury SUV with live AI watercolor portrait creation by Make Your Life Sweeter. Learn more at avondale.com.
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