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HOUSTON — Spring in West Texas means Polo on
the Prairie. This annual fundraiser, benefiting The
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, features a
world-class polo match played on a
hayfield-turned-polo-field at the Musselman Brothers' Lazy 3
Ranch in Albany, Texas. Rising country music star Casey
Donahew is slated to entertain at this year's event.
Mary Anne McCloud, MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of
Visitors member and native of Eastland, Texas, conceived the
idea for Polo on the Prairie to raise awareness of and
philanthropic support for MD Anderson. With the help of her
daughter, Melinda McCloud Musselman, and son-in-law Henry
Musselman, also a Board of Visitors member, McCloud saw her
idea become reality with the first official event in 1987.
The event has grown from two teams and a few hundred
supporters to eight teams playing in a U.S. Polo
Association-sanctioned tournament with more than 1,000
spectators. It now includes a Texas-size chuck wagon
barbecue dinner, dancing to a private concert and a
spectacular
fireworks finale.
Henry Musselman continues to be inspired by the support Polo
on the Prairie receives each year.
"The way Polo has grown is just amazing," said Musselman.
"The support we receive from the polo players, our local
community and all those traveling from across Texas to
attend each year speaks volumes about their desire to
support MD Anderson. 2012 marks our 26th year, and we've
already raised almost $300,000. We're very proud."
In total, the event has raised almost $4 million to benefit
cancer research and patient care initiatives at MD Anderson
including the Science Park in Smithville, the Anderson
Network hospitality rooms, chaplaincy and clinical pastoral
education, the Department of Plastic Surgery, the South
Campus Research Initiative and the Anne and John Mendelsohn
Personalized Cancer Therapy Fund.
"Each of these initiatives plays an important role in our
mission to eradicate cancer," said Ronald DePinho, M.D.,
president of MD Anderson. "Polo on the Prairie generates
support for our research, our patients and their families.
We're grateful to the McCloud and Musselman families and the
many people who attend each year."
Individual tickets, $75, are available at 866-262-9029 or at
events@mdanderson.org
. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.
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About MD Anderson
Learn more about the history of
MD Anderson Cancer Center and get information about
president Ronald DePinho, M.D., the Management Committee,
doing business with MD Anderson Cancer Center, and more.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused
on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.
MD Anderson is one of only 41 comprehensive cancer centers
designated by the National Cancer Institute. For eight of
the past 10 years, including 2011, MD Anderson has ranked
No. 1 in cancer care in the “Best Hospitals” survey
published annually in U.S. News & World Report. (c)2012 The
University of Texas MD Anderson
Cancer Center
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