If you thought the Super Bowl was a big event for Dallas, you weren’t anticipating Ebby Halliday’s upcoming 100th birthday bash. A real estate heavyweight and Dallas philanthropic icon for decades, Mrs. Halliday will throw her centennial fest at the Hilton Anatole on February 23rd, benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

“The Foundation Fighting Blindness funds research for treatments and cures to retinal degenerative diseases, which affect more than 10 million Americans like me,” said Ebby Halliday. “I am honored the organization is throwing me such a lovely Roast and Toast birthday party, with great friends and many of my favorite things. It is wonderful this exciting celebration is also going to help people through benefitting the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ sight-saving research.”

Halliday has been on the front line with the organization since the FFB came to Dallas. In the last year alone, this incredible foundation helped to cure 30 people with degenerative eye diseases who had never experienced sight before. Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has raised over $400 million for retinal research, most recently funding gene therapy clinical trials treating patients affected with Leber’s congenital amaurosis, which causes blindness or substantial vision loss at birth. The organization’s purpose is to educate and support people involved with retinal disease while actively working toward real cures.

Congressman Pete Sessions himself, who will serve as an honorary co-chair of Ebby Halliday’s Roast and Toast, has a family member who is suffering from retinal disease.

“Ebby Halliday is a philanthropic hero and self-made real estate legend, who continually inspires all through her tireless energy and dedication to helping others,” said Congressman Sessions. “I am looking forward to celebrating Ebby’s 100^th birthday and to supporting research for retinal degenerative diseases, a cause that is important to both Ebby and myself.”

The dazzling event will feature performances by Tony Orlando, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, and the Happy Valley Farm Academy Children’s Choir, as well as toasts and tributes from the Dallas Mavericks and some of Texas’ most distinguished leaders. National Association of Broadcasters’ Radio Hall of Fame Member Ron Chapman will host as emcee.  Well-known supporters and friends of Halliday will attend, including the Honorary Event Co-Chairs: Margot and Ross Perot; Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens; Nita and The Honorable Pete Sessions; Llura and Foundation Fighting Blindness Chairman Gordon Gund; Roger Horchow; and Marianne and Roger Staubach. Other notable guests include Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, among others.