Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has a new position, but this one is off the football field. Prescott is the new co-chair for the Children’s Cancer Fund Annual Gala, a torch passed to him by former Cowboys quarterback and Hall-of-Famer Roger Staubach.
Staubach served as co-chair of the event for 30 years before stepping back from his role on Friday at the charity’s Color Out Cancer gala. Former Cowboys quarterback and fellow Hall-of-Famer Troy Aikman, who has served as co-chair with Staubach for the past 20 years, will continue his work alongside Prescott.
The Children’s Cancer Fund is a non-profit organization based in Dallas whose stated mission is to raise funds to benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment programs in North Texas. The organization is closely affiliated with Children’s Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center, both national leaders in the research and treatment of pediatric cancer.
During Friday’s event at the Hilton Anatole, Prescott expressed his enthusiasm for his new role.
“When Troy [Aikman] gave me a call to fill in for Roger Staubach, I didn’t care what he said next,” Prescott said. “Count me in.”
Chairing the gala moving forward will be especially meaningful to Prescott, who lost his mother to cancer in 2013.
“Just following these guys’ footsteps on the field is amazing enough,” Prescott said. “But to be able to do it off the field is a privilege, and there’s nothing I take for granted about it.”
The evening featured a fashion show starring pediatric cancer survivors, who modeled Dillard’s clothing while being escorted down the runway by their heroes. One child walked alongside members of Dallas SWAT, and another chose Transformers’ Bumblebee. Prescott and Aikmen also served as escorts.
This year’s gala event raised over $1.5 million with the help of several famous faces, including Kathy and Nicky Hilton, Alice+Olivia founder Stacey Bendet, and virtual attendees Patrick Dempsey and Chris Pratt.
The organization was founded in 1982 when a group of parents whose children received treatment for cancer at Children’s Medical Center came together to form the Children’s Cancer Fund. The fund has raised over $11 million since its inception.