From left, are Dr. Gerstle (Karson’s surgeon and Chief of Pediatric Surgery), Holly LaBombard (Karson’s Mother and CEO of Hope For Miracles), Karson Hull (Neuroblastoma Warrior), Dr. Modak (Chief of Neuroblastoma) and Dr. Kushner. (Photo provided)

JAY — The local charity Hope For Miracles, created by Jay resident Holly LaBombard to raise awareness and contributions to fight childhood cancer, will host its sixth annual gala on Nov. 1 in the Gold Room at the Rainbow Wedding and Banquet Hall in Altona.

The Gala will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. and will feature Taylor LaValley and Brandon Frenyea, including a cocktail hour, delicious cuisine, networking, auctions, dancing (DJ Flash) and professional photos by Candace Marie Photography.

LaBombard 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 and that is its main goal.

However, LaBombard said that they also understand the importance of helping families locally and because of that, they contribute 10% of their 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 thanks to a new grant from the Adirondack Foundation and deliver care packages for children and families.

LaBombard expressed that they work extremely hard to ensure that their operating costs, since their inception, have been 4% or less. Funds raised for research have gone to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a clinical immunotherapy vaccine trial that has been 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. 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,” LaBombard said.

In this spirit, Karson and his family welcome community members to their Masquerade Gala this fall.

“It makes me feel good that my family and I can do these kinds of things, along with some new ideas we have, to help research a cure for those like me,” Hull said.

More about this event can be found at www.hopeformiracles.org.

LaBombard said they are always looking for sponsors and donors for events and said those who would like to make a difference for Karson and others like him can donate an item or service to be auctioned at the Gala or can become a sponsor by reaching out via email at info@hopeformiracles.org.

Adirondack Health and Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union have been a part of this annual event since its inception and continue to be an integral part of making the Gala into what it is, LaBombard said. This year, along with Adirondack Health and Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union, to date, additional sponsors are: Monaghan Medical Group and AuSable Dental.

“We are sending out a big thank you for their support of our mission to fund a cure, for making this event possible and for all that they do for the children in our communities,” LaBombard said. “We couldn’t do this without them. To us, they are like family. They have shown us that they believe in Hope for Miracles, our mission and our ability to raise these much-needed funds to find a cure and to help our local families. Their continued support is like a warm blanket. When the fears set in, as they inevitably do, just the knowledge that we can count on their continued support is such a welcome reassurance. The sponsors, donors, attendees and overall supporters are the superheroes, along with Karson and the other warriors like him, of course. Your support is changing and saving lives.”

Hope for Miracles has been in existence for just more than seven years and is still trying to spread the word about what they do and how people can help.

Hope for Miracles, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity and previously donated $200,000 to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for Childhood Cancer research and is currently working to send its third $100,000. For more information about Hope for Miracles, visit hopeformiracles.org.