Designer tables to fight cancer

HARLINGEN — The Dining by Design ladies and gentlemen are at it again. Dining by Design, a local organization, is one of American Cancer Society’s premier events that has raised more than a half a million dollars over the course of the organization’s effort to fight cancer by holding an event around table design.

The designers met recently for their first planning session to prepare for their Nov. 15 Dining by Design showcase at Casa de Amistad in Harlingen.

“We have some wonderful and exciting themes already,” said Becky Magdalena, Dining by Design table coordinator. “Save the date. Everyone is welcome to come see the tables.”

The settings will be viewed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The ticket price is $25 per person if tickets are purchased prior to the event, or $30 at the door.

Tickets can also be purchased online on the Dining by Design website.

The evening gala viewing is at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person.

During the past 17 years, the group has designed 675 tables for the cause.

Last year the organization raised more than $100,000

with ticket sales, sponsorships and underwriters of the event.

“If you would like to sponsor a table or be an underwriter of the event get in contact with us,” Becky said. Since 2001, the organization has donated more than $700,000 to the American Cancer Society.

Harlingen resident Cathy Martin, 34, is one of more than 40 table designers signed up.

She said her dad is a cancer survivor, so the event is very important to her. “We are going with the Orient Express, based off the book Murder on the Orient Express,” Cathy said. “It should be fun.”

She said she will be decorating four tables with a train and other accessories to bring the table to life for the cause.

Cathy said her father discovered he had kidney cancer four years ago.

“He had his kidney removed and now he’s in remission,” Martin said.

She said her friends have been designers in the past, and she wanted to get involved in the fun.

“It’s a great way to meet new people, and getting together on the

More Information

Dining by Design event daytime preview

November 15

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Casa de Amistad Harlingen

$25 for advanced tickets

$30 for tickets at the door