Photos By Suzy Gorman

Hope Behind the Mask was the theme of the 2019 Champions of Hope Gala last weekend at the Chase Park Plaza. More than 400 guests helped raise $1,481,830 to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives, celebrating lives and leading the fight for a world without cancer.

Y98’s Jen Myers served as the event’s emcee and shared her inspiring, yet personal journey with cancer. Her story, like others shared throughout the evening, brought through the theme of hope and the impact support from the attendees has on countless people in the community.

The highlight of the evening was hearing from two-time Emmy Award winning actor and St. Louis native, Sterling K. Brown. Brown spoke about how he has been touched by cancer and the important role hope plays in fighting this disease. He spoke about his pride in his home town of St. Louis. Lastly, Brown encouraged guests to generously support the Society’s Hope Lodge.

Sterling K. Brown (center) with his family.

As part of the contributions from the gala, guests helped raise $500,000 for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® renovation campaign known as Hope Is Home. Hope Lodge is the only free, temporary housing facility for adult patients battling cancer in St. Louis. It opens its doors to patients who travel more than 40 miles from home for treatment, ensuring they do not forego the most effective services simply because they cannot afford to travel. Last year, Hope Lodge St. Louis welcomed more than 2,778 guests, saving them $3 million in hotel expenses. With the additional contributions from the event, Hope Lodge is that much closer to beginning the much-needed renovations.

Raising more than $5.2 million in four years, every dollar raised at the Champions of Hope Gala allows the American Cancer Society to help people facing a cancer diagnosis today, educate people about how to reduce their risk for cancer or detect it early when it’s the easiest to treat, and to fund cancer research that will help protect future generations.

“The contributions gala attendees made to the American Cancer Society — and specifically to Hope Lodge — will have such a profound impact on the lives of cancer patients and their caregivers,” said Peter Blumeyer, President of UMB Bank - St. Louis region and chair of the event. “Because of the generosity shown by guests at the event, we are that much closer to starting renovations on a new Hope Lodge, which will serve cancer patients and their caregivers for many years to come.”

Throughout the evening, the gala embraced two themes: hope and champions. To honor the event’s theme (Hope Behind the Mask), attendees celebrated in style, wearing masquerade fashion. Many wore elaborate masks — a symbol of the hope they bring to countless people they will never meet through their generosity. The evening also celebrated the champions’ names through event speakers and award winners, each referencing the work the community does as champions in the fight against cancer.

During the program, the Society presented several awards. Each year, the Mission Hero Award is presented to an individual and corporate partner, recognizing each for their distinguished service and leadership. Alan Nissenbaum was presented the individual Mission Hero Award for his dedication to the Road to Recovery program and Steve O’Loughlin accepted the corporate Mission Hero Award on behalf of Lodging Hospitality Management for their support of many Society programs including breast cancer awareness, Hope Lodge and the Hotels Partner program Lastly, Warner Baxter was presented the Society’s most prestigious award, the St. George Award, for his continuous leadership, commitment, and dedication to the Society’s mission.

Finally, the event announced the 2020 Champions of Hope Gala chair, Bob Clark, chairman and CEO of Clayco.

Since its inaugural year in 2016, the Champions of Hope Gala has raised more than $5.2 million to attack cancer from all angles. To learn more about the event, visitwww.championshopegala.org. For more information about Hope Lodge St. Louis, visit hopeishome.org.