The Banner Ball
Get ready for an evening of elegance, inspiration and connection at the Banner Health Foundation’s signature annual fundraising gala, The Banner Ball! This black-tie affair is happening on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at the revered Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. Betsy Roudi and Jo Van Denburgh will serve as Co-Chairs, leading an all-star Host Committee in planning a beautiful event—all to benefit Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center locations in Arizona. Funds will help advance cancer care and services including diagnostic imaging and technology, clinical trials of promising new treatments, community outreach and education, and supportive programming for patients, caregivers and survivors.
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Event Co-Chairs: Betsy Roudi & Jo Van Denburgh
Betsy Roudi is a leader with heart—a passionate advocate, breast cancer survivor, and devoted mom to her two beautiful children, Rana and Dara. She brings warmth, energy, and authenticity to everything she does, including her role as co-chair of The Banner Ball 2026.
Through her work with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Betsy has touched countless lives. During her four years on the International Family Council, she founded and chaired the YPO Parenting Network—a labor of love that grew into the second largest network in the YPO system worldwide and was honored as BEST FAMILY NETWORK in 2018. She continues to share her insights through leadership workshops at global conferences and stays actively involved in her local YPO Arizona chapter as day chair, forum moderator, and current Spouse Forum officer.
Betsy's connection to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center runs deep and personal. At 44, a routine mammogram caught her breast cancer early, leading to a bilateral mastectomy. Eighteen months later, when a small lump was discovered, she faced three procedures to achieve clean margins and began a five-year Tamoxifen regimen. Through it all, Betsy found strength in her family and the exceptional care team at Banner MD Anderson. Today, she and her loved ones remain profoundly grateful for the doctors and comprehensive cancer care that continue to support their journey.
Jo Van Denburgh has called the Valley home for 52 years, having moved to Arizona from Chicago as a child. Her professional journey has taken her from sales representative at Motorola to mortgage broker to what she describes as her most rewarding role—stay-at-home mom. She was deeply involved in her children's education, volunteering in their classrooms for many years. Her dedication to family extends to her blended family today, which includes her husband David, three sons (including one stepson), three stepdaughters, two daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, and eight beloved grandchildren—two grandsons and six granddaughters. The Van Denburgh family’s connections to Banner run deep. Eleven years ago, Jo’s 30-year-old nephew passed away from cancer. Her 59-year-old sister is currently being treated at Banner Sun Health Research Institute for early-onset Alzheimer's and primary progressive aphasia. When Jo's father, who also had Alzheimer's, broke his hip and spent his final 10 days at Banner Ocotillo Medical Center, Jo witnessed firsthand the compassionate care Banner provides. Her commitment to supporting cancer care and research through Banner stems from these profound experiences and her desire to ensure others receive the same exceptional care as her own family and friends.
Honorary Chairs: Amy and Derrick Hall
Amy and Derrick Hall are beloved leaders and philanthropists in the Valley of the Sun, united by their dedication to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and their shared commitment to making a difference through advocacy and service. Amy has been a vital presence in the Phoenix community for over 20 years, actively supporting the Diamondbacks organization alongside her husband and currently serving as Chair of the Board of Visitors, Arizona’s oldest women’s charitable organization. A proud Sun Devil and Arizona State University alum, Amy is a devoted mother and breast cancer survivor who has courageously shared her journey battling an aggressive form of the disease to inspire and advocate for others. Her strength, resilience, and commitment to the community have made her a respected figure throughout Arizona. Together, the Halls exemplify leadership both on and off the field, using their platform to champion health advocacy, community service, and the success of Arizona's baseball franchise.
Derrick serves as President and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Under his leadership, the team has reached multiple postseasons while maintaining his signature "Circle of Success" philosophy, which emphasizes fan experience, performance, community engagement, organizational culture, and financial efficiency. Through the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, he has led efforts resulting in over $100 million in charitable donations. A prostate cancer survivor, Derrick established the Derrick Hall Pro-State Foundation to support others facing similar battles. He is frequently recognized among the most influential CEOs in sports.
2026 Host Committee
Event Co-Chairs: Betsy Roudi and Jo Van Denburgh
Honorary Event Chairs: Amy and Derrick Hall
Banner Health Board Liaison: Sara Ward
Banner Health Foundation Board Chair: Alison Lewis
- Mari Lederman, Past Chair
- Suzi Hilton, Past Chair
- Kimberly Afkhami
- Laura Bill
- Bonnie Brovitz
- Cynthia Buness
- Jenny Cushing
- Amallia de Comas, MD
- Cathy Fassero
- Alexandra Fisher
- Tracy Flaherty
- Melinda Moss Francois
- Elizabeth Garrett
- Stephanie Goodman
- Fernanda Grounds
- Kate Groves
- Alicia Harrison
- Shannon Hinkson
- Tracy Holton
- Rebecca Hoyt
- Beth Ivey
- Lauren Johnson
- Julie JohnsonAnne Jones
- Phyllis Kirk
- Kristy Kufel
- Julie Lavidge
- Sara Lee
- Wendy Lentz
- Debbie Moak
- Kolby Moffatt
- Doreen Myles
- Jaime Northam
- Lory Parson
- Kara Peterson
- Kate Porter
- Jennifer Rawicz
- Lori Riley
- Jordan Rose
- Judith Samuels, MD
- Cheri Schoch
- Sheila Schmidt
- Jennifer Schuitemaker
- Nancy Singer
- Lisa Stone
- Lisa Strohman
- Jill Thomas
- Amy Thurston
- Catherine Tuton
- Sam Van Denburgh
- Erin Dixon Vogel
- Christine Watson
- Marci White
- Sandy Williams
- Kelli York
About the Beneficiary
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center - Arizona
Cancer affects one in every three people in the United States and is the second-leading cause of death. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer rates are expected to increase by some 45% from 2010 to 2030—representing a substantial rise in the burden of cancer on society and emphasizing the urgent need for continued investment in cancer research and treatment.
When Arizona’s leading health care provider, Banner Health, joined forces with the country’s top-ranked cancer center — The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — in 2011, the landscape shifted for cancer patients and their families throughout our region. With its main campus in Gilbert and extension sites in downtown Phoenix, the northwest Valley, and Scottsdale (opening in early 2027), Banner MD Anderson gives patients access to the same cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary approach, and leading cancer care available at MD Anderson in Houston. Patients at Banner MD Anderson receive care based on the same protocols and practice standards provided at MD Anderson and benefit from integration with MD Anderson clinicians and researchers. Together, we are dedicated to Making Cancer History®.
Philanthropic support has played a critical role in Banner MD Anderson’s growth and will continue be vital to our future plans. With your support, we will make significant, sustained investments in cancer screening and early detection, diagnostic imaging and technology, compassionate and skilled patient care, clinical trials of promising new treatments, community outreach and education to prevent cancer, and supportive services for patients, caregivers and survivors.
With more than 2 million patient visits, nearly 200 clinical trials underway, and an evergrowing team of specialists across disciplines, Banner MD Anderson is poised to become our region’s premier clinical cancer research program and the vanguard of a revolution in cancer care.
Support of $25,000 or more can be directed to the following Banner MD Anderson programs:
Area of greatest need at Banner MD Anderson
Brain Cancer
Breast Cancer
Gastrointestinal Cancers (Colorectal, Pancreatic, Stomach, Liver, Esophageal, Gallbladder)
Genitourinary Cancers (Prostate, Kidney, Bladder, Testicular)
Gynecological Cancers (Cervical, Ovarian, Uterine, Vaginal)
Head & Neck Cancers (Oral, Sinuses, Salivary Glands)
Hematological Cancers (Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma)
Lung Cancer
Melanoma
Patient Financial Assistance
Patient Lodging Assistance
Cancer Research & Advanced Therapeutics
All donations benefit initiatives at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Centers in Arizona and do not fund research or programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Physician Honorees
Michael Choti, MD, Division Chief, Surgical Oncology
Brittany Murphy, MD, Co-Director, Breast Cancer Program
Jiaxin (Jason) Niu, MD, Co-Director, Lung Cancer Program
The Banner Ball was a spectacular success in 2025
Last year, our event brought together some 800 community members for an unforgettable evening of impact and inspiration.
Thanks to Co-Chairs Mari Lederman and Suzi Hilton, along with a dedicated Host Committee, the Ball raised more than $3.3 million for Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Arizona. These funds will support a range of critical needs, including patient care, research and clinical trials, technology, supportive services for patients and survivors, and community outreach.
Congratulations to our inaugural physician honorees, Dr. David M. Paul, Dr. Emily Grade, and Dr. Matthew Ulrickson.
Check out the video showcasing their unique blend of clinical expertise and compassionate care that has earned each of them the deep respect of their patients and colleagues.
Meet Vince and Cody, who are the living proof of some of the miracles happening at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center every day in this community.
To view the event photos from last year, visit the gallery here.
