For the past eight years The Braden’s Hope foundation has congregated with their supporters for an annual gala, the Hope Gala, held at the Overland Park Convention Center since 2016, to raise money to fund research for childhood cancer. This year, they raised over $700,000 at their 8th annual Hope Gala on September 28th, totaling to $4,176,767 throughout their active years.  

Deliece Hofen, Braden’s mother, founded Braden’s Hope For Childhood Cancer after he was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma at the young age of 3. Only a couple months later, Deliece herself was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. Upon seeing how differently their treatments were pursued, Deliece knew she had to take action.

The first Hope Gala was in 2012 with only 300 people in attendance. This year, the guest list amounted to over 1250. The foundation raises money each year with a silent auction, a live auction, tickets and t-shirt sales. Their profit goes to Children’s Mercy Hospital and the KU Cancer Center for research. 

Some items this year included a nine week old goldendoodle, who sold for $5,750, an autographed Patrick Mahomes jersey, that sold for $2,700, and a trip to Iceland for $4,700. The patron who purchased the puppy didn’t take it home though, he donated it to one of the Hope kids, the children who the event honors.

Each year, the Hope kids serve as emcees for the event, but this year came with a twist. Braden, the namesake for the foundation, attended the gala for the first time. He and his mother celebrated raising money for the kids, as well as their health, as they are both currently in remission.

For more information on next year’s gala or the Braden’s Hope foundation, visit their website www.bradenshope.org.