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3rd Annual Graeme’s Gala Returns to Katy This September to Fund Lifesaving CHD Research
Non-Profit
Source: Graeme McDaniel Foundation

3rd Annual Graeme’s Gala Returns to Katy This September to Fund Lifesaving CHD Research

July 22 2025

Every September, the Katy and West Houston community gathers not just for a gala, but for a cause that touches thousands of families across the nation. The Graeme McDaniel Foundation’s signature fundraising event, Graeme’s Gala, returns this fall—uniting hope, healing, and the pursuit of a future where every child born with a congenital heart defect has a fighting chance.

The Graeme McDaniel Foundation was born from unimaginable loss. Graeme McDaniel was born with multiple heart defects and underwent two major surgeries before the age of one. Despite spending much of his early life in the NICU, Graeme brought immense joy to all who met him. He passed away in May 2015 at just two and a half years old.

Since then, his parents Stephanie and Robby McDaniel have dedicated themselves to honoring his life by advancing care for CHD patients and funding promising medical research. Their efforts have fueled a passionate movement that has already contributed over $1.8 million to congenital heart defect (CHD) research—the most common type of birth defect in the United States—since the foundation was formed in 2021.

One of several research grants awarded this year, a $94,272 grant from The Graeme McDaniel Foundation, is supporting a study by Dr. Siddharth Prakash (UTHealth Houston) and Dr. Casey Gifford (Stanford University) on how missing sex chromosomes—such as in Turner syndrome—affect heart development in babies. Their work could help explain why some congenital heart defects are more common or severe in certain children and lead to better treatment options.

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“We have been raising research funds for over 10 years, and we can personally attest to the impact of CHD research,” said Stephanie McDaniel, Graeme’s mother and CEO of The Graeme McDaniel Foundation. “Today, there are heart centers and doctors that focus solely on adult congenital heart patients. That was unheard of 10 years ago.”

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Foundation will host its 3rd Annual Graeme’s Gala at Beckendorff Farms in Katy, Texas. This elegant black-tie event will blend glamour with heartfelt giving, honoring the legacy of a little boy whose life continues to change others.

The Gala begins with cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. and will welcome 300 guests dressed in formal gowns and tuxedos to an unforgettable night of cocktails, fine dining, live entertainment, and personal stories shared by local cardiology experts and families impacted by CHDs. In addition to a seated dinner and inspiring speakers, the evening will feature silent and live auctions, fun games, a paddle raise, and dancing under the stars.

“Unfortunately, even with all of the great advancements, CHDs are the most common type of birth defect, and the number one birth defect associated with infant mortality,” McDaniel added. “Graeme’s Gala will ensure The Graeme McDaniel Foundation continues to fund this critical research and support heart families.”

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Last year’s Gala raised nearly $300,000, and the Foundation is hopeful that this year’s event will meet or exceed that milestone. The organization also hosts other annual fundraisers such as Graeme’s Run at No Label Brewing Co., which brings the Katy and West Houston communities together for the same life-saving cause.

With each event and donation, the Foundation brings more visibility to CHDs and more hope to families navigating these diagnoses. Thanks to continued research and awareness, today 90% of babies diagnosed with a CHD are living into adulthood—a testament to the impact of ongoing support.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for Graeme’s Gala are now available at graememcdanielfoundation.org. As the community prepares to come together once more in memory of Graeme, the Foundation continues to shine a light on the research, support, and love that defines its mission.

Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for continued updates on this event and other community-driven causes in the Katy area.


By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 
 
Tiffany Krenek, authorTiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
 


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