Icons "attend"
Celebrate Life
from the Heart
2010 Gala

Guests at the Living Bank’s Celebrate Life from the Heart gala gave artist Dan Dunn a standing ovation for his rapid-fire paintings of iconic figures. Dunn, a Houstonian and now a world-famous artist via YouTube, has had 30 million hits on a posting of his work.

Above, Dr. Denton Cooley receives the Glen W. Karsten Memorial Award at his office a few days after The Living Bank gala.

Right, gala chairs, Dr. David and Mary Morales share the spotlight with Ruth D. Sterling Memorial Award recipients, Paula Hern and
Tom Barbour and gala co-chairs, Mark Wallace
and wife Shannon. More Gala Photos

Everyone knew his rendition of a surgeon was honoree, Denton A. Cooley, M.D. In 1968, shortly after Cooley performed the first successful heart transplant in the U.S., he was the catalyst for founding of The Living Bank, the first organ donor registry.

The 90-year-old physician could not attend due to surgery but sent a video assuring the audience he was on the mend. Dunn also did paintings of Marilyn Monroe and the Beatles.

Other honorees at the event were Paula L. Hern and Tom D. Barbour, founders of The JLH Foundation. JLH supports organ donor awareness activities and assists transplant recipients who cannot afford their treatment. The foundation is named for Hern’s father, John L. Hern, who had a heart transplant.