The Friends of the Stehlin Foundation History

The Friends of the Stehlin Foundation has produced the annual fundraising gala for the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research since 1981. A high-energy and tireless group, over the years they have netted over $10 million to support the research and clinical projects of the CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation.

True Friends - An Idea Becomes an Institution

In 1980, Mike Meagher was indeed a “friend of the Stehlin Foundation,” but simply as an individual -- there wasn’t an organization to back him up. Mike had been a frequent tennis partner and friend of Dr. John Stehlin since 1972, the early days of the Stehlin Foundation.

One day, Mike showed up to play tennis after a surprisingly fun charity event and said, “John, we should do something like that for your group.” Several years later, Mike did. The first Friends of the Stehlin Foundation gala was held at the Houston Country Club in 1981. “We were young and nervous,” said Mike, “but in the end we handed over $96,000 to the Foundation.”

By 2004, the evening’s proceeds were $650,000, to be used in the Foundation’s research and clinical battle against cancer. In total, the Friends have netted over $10 million from fundraising efforts over the past 25 years.

Putting the “Fun” Back in Fundraising

Today, the Friends of the Stehlin Foundation is a tax exempt charitable organization with a rotating chairman. Its sole purpose is to raise funds to support research, treatment and educational programs conducted by the Stehlin Foundation.

At every gala, the combination of a headliner, a dance band and a host of great auction items guarantees guests a good time and good company for a good cause. Shelby Hodge of the Houston Chronicle used the Friends formula as the antidote for dull parties: “Each year, the gala draws a sellout crowd of 1,000-plus who come for buffet dinner and entertainment that begins with a dance band and climaxes with a knock-‘em-dead Motown or rock band that plays until 2 a.m.”

While Mike Meagher is pleased about the fun-loving reputation the Friends continue to enjoy, he remains very serious about the cause: “The Foundation does so much for so little. When you compare its budget to those at other institutions, the landmark achievements become even more impressive.”

Mike also senses the challenges ahead: “There’s excitement about the new drugs and projects on the horizon, but it takes a lot of money to make these possibilities come true. That’s why we’re here – to raise money. We just always have a good time doing it.”