Karson Hull, center, is seen here with chief of pediatric surgery Dr. Gerstle, Karson’s surgeon, Holly LaBombard, Karson’s mother and CEO of Hope For Miracles, Dr. Modak, chief of neuroblastoma, presenting the second $100,000 donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering Kids this April on behalf of Hope for Miracles. (Photo provided)

JAY — Hope for Miracles, Inc. has announced its 6th annual gala.

Hope for Miracles was created in honor of Karson Hull, who has battled neuroblastoma three times in his 15 years. Holly LaBombard, who is Karson’s mother and is also the Founder and CEO of Hope for Miracles, explained that through the family’s quest for answers, they learned that only 4% (or less) of research funds are dedicated to childhood cancers, and rarer forms like neuroblastoma receive even less.

She emphasized that devoting funds to research is the only way to find a cure for neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers, and Hope for Miracles does just that. It raises much needed funding for childhood cancer research.

LaBombard said Hope for Miracles also understands the importance of helping families locally, and because of that, it contributes 10% of its funds raised to the UVM Children’s Hospital programming, provide an annual grant to local families currently receiving treatments, offer wrap around services to these families, and deliver care packages for children and families.

Funds raised for research have gone to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a clinical immunotherapy vaccine trial that has shown to be safe and effective in treating children with neuroblastoma. The actual vaccine being tested can be used to treat not only neuroblastoma, but all solid type tumors in both children and adults.

“It is very important to me to give help and hope to other families who are dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis,” LaBombard said. “I also want to inspire others to get involved in the fight against childhood cancer. Strength is in numbers, and together we can help fund the research that will change the lives of these children and families.”

In this spirit, Karson and his family welcome community members to their Masquerade Gala this fall. This year’s gala, to be held on Nov. 1, will take place in the Gold Room at the Rainbow Wedding and Banquet Hall in Altona. The gala will feature Taylor LaValley and Brandon Frenyea, include a cocktail hour, food, networking, auctions, dancing and professional photos by Candace Marie Photography.

Hope for Miracles, a 501(c)3 public charity, has been in existence for just over seven years and previously donated $200,000 to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for Childhood Cancer research, and is currently working to send another $100,000. For more information about Hope for Miracles, visit www.hopeformiracles.org. Those interested in becoming a sponsor or donating an item or service to be auctioned at the gala can email info@hopeformiracles.org.