Gala of Hope Receives Record Total at 2022 Event

Gala of Hope Foundation announces a record $1.73 million generously given through its July 23 event held at Carillon Park. The Foundation held its biannual event, coordinated by event chairperson, Patti Schear, one of Dayton’s significant community leaders, after a four-year hiatus resulting from COVID. Our last event took place in July 2018 when it raised $1.52 million.“Gala of Hope Foundation witnessed a wave of generosity in a single event that is truly extraordinary,” shared Cameron McGregor, board president. “This reinforces that cancer really does touch everyone in some way and the Dayton community will come together to do something significant about it. We are humbled in this community’s confidence in the Gala of Hope Foundation, and profoundly grateful for how they answered the call on July 23. This region cares for cancer patients like no other.”

The 2022 Gala brought together 70 sponsors from across the region, with almost 500 of their guests attending the event. “The Gala was founded on the model of asking sponsors to invite guests, those they believe should hear about Gala of Hope and join them in supporting our mission,” explained Jeff Brock, Executive Director. “Our sponsors propel us with their generosity, and they encourage their guests to also support Gala generously. Everyone is very clear on why they are coming to this event, one like no other in the region. Every dollar given, each important no matter the amount, was clearly given with a cancer patient or survivor in mind, and Gala making a difference for someone just like them.

”This event was also the first Gala held since the passing of one of the Foundation’s founders, Bob Mills, in July 2020. The evening included a tribute to Bob, led by his wife and co-founder, Barbara Mills. Family joined her, and not only celebrated his life as a husband, father, philanthropist, real estate developer, and community leader, but even more, his passion for local cancer patients and his planning and hosting the event for over 10 years.

In her remarks, Barbara Mills said, “Bob wanted to raise funds to help our friends and neighbors – to support our oncologists, hospitals and caregivers. And so, in 2014, the Gala of Hope Foundation was born. Of course, Bob Mills set ridiculously high goals...crazy plans, but because of his drive and your generosity before tonight, Gala has received and given away locally over $5 million and supported over 26,000 patients.” This year’s Gala continued the legacy that Bob and Barbara Mills envisioned.

“These funds will support current initiatives in the region focused on enhanced treatment, direct patient aid, and local research. They also allow us to consider new opportunities to do more, even to help answer some of the region’s greatest challenges for cancer patients,” concluded Brock. “There is so much more to do. Yes, we want fewer hearing those words, ‘you have cancer,’ but even more so, we want them hearing the better words, ‘you have hope,’ sending cancer into the sunset.”

About Gala of Hope Foundation - Gala of Hope Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2014 to serve the Dayton region as a financial resource for cancer patients, cancer treatment, and local cancer research.  At its core, Gala of Hope Foundation was created and is sustained by gifts from generous people committed to changing the face of cancer in the Dayton region. The Foundation serves as a grant maker and a voice for Dayton region cancer patients and its cancer care community.