Lauren Maurer, 7, flanked by Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman

Lauren Maurer, a first grader at White Rock Elementary wants to be a police officer or a singer someday. The 7-year-old probably has no idea why these two guys — Dallas Cowboys quarterback legends Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman — are such big deals. She’s far more impressed by Princess Leia and Rey from Star Wars at this point in her life. Her favorite things to do include shopping with her mom, going to the movies with her dad and playing Minecraft with her brother. And she has a special anthropomorphic attachment to the port through which she receives the medicine she has needed since age 3, when doctors diagnosed her T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia — she calls the port Louie.

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“Through Louie, I received my chemotherapy and blood products which helped to cure me.” Lauren says.

Lauren plans to shine in the spotlight at the end of this month as a featured model and artist at The Children’s Cancer Fund Annual Gala, the organization’s largest annual fundraiser for pediatric cancer research; it typically draws more than 1,000 guests from Texas and across the nation, organizers note.

This year’s event’s theme, “Broadway Nights and Runway Lights,” calls for the fashion show (presented by Dillard’s and RSC Show Productions) put on by children like Lauren who are undergoing treatment for cancer at Children’s Health in Dallas. Aikman, Staubach and other celebrities will walk the runway alongside the kids.

The night also features live and silent auctions, dinner, drinks and entertainment by DJ Lucy Wrubel.

Guests should expect a rewarding, heartwarming evening, organizers say.

“You have to see the look on these kids’ faces as they walk down the runway. It’s what inspires us in our work and in everything we do,” says Jennifer Arthur, CCF’s executive director of development.

“They are fighters and survivors every day, but on that night, they’re stars and they’re shining brightly for their families, for the audience, and for each other.”

Tickets to the big event cost $300 a person or $2,750 for a table of 10.

Since 1982, Children’s Cancer Fund has donated some $8 million to support pediatric cancer research and treatment programs, as well as to efforts that make life quantifiably easier for the patients and their families, organizers note.

Call 972.664.1450 or visit ChildrensCancerFund.com/Gala for reservations and more information.

The event begins with a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Friday, April 21 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway. Dinner and program starts at 7:15.