Last year an annual fundraising event started that at its core, is all about celebrating life. Celebrating good music, great friends, a tasty glass or two, the simple purity of fellowship and friendship. It was an “Evening of Friends and Music” created by our dear friend, Don Winspear to help raise funds and awareness for the CONQUER Project at UT Southwestern, which supports research on Transverse Myelitis and other rare autoimmune diseases.  Don was struck with Transverse Myelitis a little over 2 1/2 years ago and the rare autoimmune disease has left him as a T4 paraplegic.

Never to let anything stand in his way, our funny, creative, inspiring friend continues to work through his own adjustment to life, while becoming a great resource and friend for those also affected by the disease, which hits 1 in every 400,000 people, ranging in age from 2-92. He also began this event to celebrate a few of the things he loves the most, great music and great friends, hosted by a great venue, to support the research efforts of UT Southwestern, potentially to understand why this disease happens.

Tomorrow night at the historic Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff, Don, his remarkable wife, Ellen, and their team of friends will host the 2nd annual “Evening of Friends and Music” featuring Nashville legend, Hal Ketchum, and Dallas native, Tiger Darrow. Having Hal Ketchum a part of this year’s event is especially meaningful as he was struck with TM in 1998.  The entire left side of his body was paralyzed.  He slowly recovered, having to learn the basics, including how to walk and how to play the guitar.

There are only a handful of tickets left, and can be purchased here. It will be a night to remember.