The Cure Starts Now held its 11th annual Once in a Lifetime Gala, presented by Graeter’s, at the Duke Energy Convention Center on April 7, 2018. The event generated a record-breaking $587,000 worth of new funds for pediatric brain cancer research. Nearly 900 guests were in attendance at the Alice in Wonderland inspired event which celebrated the children who have been affected by brain cancer and the people fighting to find a cure.
The Once in a Lifetime Gala featured over 500 packages in the silent auction generously donated by local companies such as Graeters, Gold Star Chili, Rivertown Brewing Company, Restoraid Remodeling and more.
During the evening guests raised over $25,000 for cancer research in honor of a special girl named Piper, who is currently battling DIPG. The Cure Starts Now also gave out a special award, the “Hero of the Year Award”, to longtime friend and volunteer of The Cure Starts Now, Nancy Axmacher.
“For 11 years, The Once in a Lifetime Gala has been the largest event worldwide for The Cure Starts Now. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, this event has been solely responsible for funding mulitple promising research projects each year," says Brooke Desserich, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Cure Starts Now.
The 2018 Once in a Lifetime Gala brought in over $587,000 to help support research funding (which is guided by a committee of the top oncologists from around the country). Since its inception in 2007, The Cure Starts Now has funded over $10 million in pediatric brain cancer research, including a $2 million research grant in the fall of 2017 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
The 2019 Once in a Lifetime Gala will take place on April 13, 2019 with a Warrior theme. Deeply discounted VIP tables are now available through April 16, 2018. Purchase your table(s) at www.csnevents.org/2019gala.
