Wichita Falls MPEC to host Lone Star Midnight Gala for American Cancer Society on New Year's Eve
MPEC advertises Kevin Fowler for the Dec. 31 benefit at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall, an adults-only evening organized by the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society will close out 2026 with a fundraiser in Wichita Falls. The Lone Star Midnight Gala, which MPEC advertises with a performance by Kevin Fowler, is scheduled for New Year's Eve at the Wichita Falls MPEC, according to the venue.
MPEC's event listing sets the gala for Dec. 31, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in its Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall at 1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301. The venue names the society as the event's organizer. Food and dancing round out the program alongside Fowler. Only guests 21 and older will be admitted, and identification will be checked at the door, MPEC says.
State Cancer Profiles reports that Wichita County averaged 747 new cancer cases a year from 2019 through 2023, and Cooke County averaged about 275. Each county's age-adjusted rate was above the Texas rate, according to the same source, which classifies recent incidence trends in both counties as stable.
| Area | Avg. new cases per year, 2019–2023 | Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Wichita County | 747 | 506.7 |
| Cooke County | 275 | 487.2 |
| Texas | n/a | 434.2 |
Source: State Cancer Profiles
Wichita Falls has advertised American Cancer Society benefits before. A city calendar entry listed the Cattle Baron's Ball for April 5, 2014, at the J.S. Bridwell Agricultural Center, with Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis. The city's April 2016 calendar listed another Cattle Barons Ball for the society, with Hayes Carll, food, raffles, and live and silent auctions.
Dallas organizers say their Cattle Baron's Ball began in 1974. They report that the first one drew more than 500 guests and raised $56,000, and that the event has raised more than $111 million over 52 years. Houston's 2026 Cattle Baron's Ball organizers describe the American Cancer Society's western-themed gala model as operating in 20 cities, with collective fundraising projected to exceed $22 million this year.
| Event | Source and reported figures |
| --- | --- |
| Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball | Dallas organizers: 1974 debut drew 500+ guests, raised $56,000; more than $111 million over 52 years |
| Fort Worth Cowtown Ball | Cowtown Ball organizers: 33rd year; more than $10 million for ACS in the Fort Worth area |
| Western-themed ACS gala model | Houston's 2026 Cattle Baron's Ball organizers: 20 cities; collective 2026 fundraising projected above $22 million |
Cowtown Ball organizers in Fort Worth also describe where some of the money goes. They report that in 2025 the society provided 2,235 lodging nights for 99 local patients and 287 rides for 32 patients, with estimated combined patient savings of $502,843.
Estimated combined patient savings from ACS lodging and rides in the Fort Worth area, 2025
Covers 2,235 lodging nights for 99 local patients and 287 rides for 32 patients, as reported by Cowtown Ball organizers.
Nationally, the American Cancer Society reports that the cancer death rate declined 34% between 1991 and 2023, while incidence continued rising for several common cancers, including breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers. The society projects 2,114,850 new diagnoses and 626,140 cancer deaths in the United States in 2026. It estimates that 18.6 million Americans were living with a history of cancer on Jan. 1, 2025, and projects that population will exceed 22 million by 2035.
Decline in the U.S. cancer death rate, 1991–2023
Incidence continued rising for several common cancers, including breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers.
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