Categories: EventsFeatures

Children’s Cancer Association Hero Gala

CCA Board Chair Andy Lytle with wife Mary, CCA Board Member Andrea Corradini, CCA Board Member Grant Hammersley with wife Heidi and CCA Founder & CEO Regina Ellis embrace the excitement of the evening together

Portland, September 24th. Nearly 500 cheerful supporters gathered to celebrate the work of the Children’s Cancer Association at the organization’s Hero Gala. The event celebrated the 11,781 children, teens, and family members who have benefited from CCA services and resources. Enjoying the evening together were: CCA Board Chair Andy Lytle with his wife Mary, CCA Board Member Andrea Corradini, CCA Board Member Grant Hammersley with his wife Heidi and CCA Founder & CEO Regina Ellis. (Photo credit, Bridgetown Photography)

The Portland Art Museum Field’s Ballroom featured a silent auction and cocktail hour, photo by David Bostock

ESPN’s NBA Analyst and CCA Board Member Tom Penn, Phoenix Suns’ center-forward, Channing Frye with CCA Founder & CEO Regina Ellis. On left, Linda Yoshida represented the Yoshida family who generously served as the 2011 Hero Gala Presenting Sponsor.

The generous community of supporters raised more than $670,000 to deliver joy and improve the quality of life for critically ill children, teens and families.

Portland clothing designer Michelle DeCourcy with Hero Gala Emcee, News Director and KINK morning show co-host, Sheila Hamilton and her husband Colin MacLean

CCA’s Founder & CEO, Regina Ellis, pauses to share memories with the Thompson family (Bree, Wendy & Mike) who were served by CCA’s programs during their youngest daughter’s battle with cancer

Guests enjoyed dinner, a creative performance and a moving testimonial from a CCA-served family in the Portland Art Museum’s Kridel Grand Ballroom

Polaris Dance Theater show at the event

The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) was established in loving memory of five-year-old Alexandra Ellis who courageously fought cancer for two and half years before she died on May 7, 1995. In the year of Alexandra’s death, CCA was born. Since then, CCA has worked to offer programs, advocacy and support that enrich the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families. The mission of CCA is this: When seriously ill children and their families need more than medicine, CCA’s innovative programs create joy one moment at a time.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.