On November 7, 2026, 500 guests gathered at the 42nd Annual Children’s Cancer Foundation Gala held at Martin’s Crosswinds, in Greenbelt, MD. Since 1984, the CCF Gala has recognized local individuals and companies dedicated to improving the lives of children and families facing a diagnosis of cancer. With the event emceed by retired WJZ Sports Director Mark Viviano, CCF presented the 2026 Fighter Award to Poole and Kent and the Hero Award to Tasha Manigo-Bizzell. The second annual Stewardship Award was presented to the John and Regina Gates.
Guests were introduced to Ewing Sarcoma fighter Paisley Ramarge in a brief video, and then in person as Paisley co-presented the first research award of the night to Michael Goldstein, M.D. of Johns Hopkins Hospital, who is the 2026 CCF Giant Food NextGen Awardee. Following the NextGen Award, CCF presented both the 2026 Research Grants and Program Grants to partner hospitals and organizations.
Through its 2026 Pediatric Cancer Research Fundraising campaign, Giant Food presented CCF a check for $426,252, raised by Giant Food customers from August – October 2026.
CCF is grateful to the families, researchers, and community members who attended, and to the event’s sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Pepsi
Partnership Sponsors
Dole Fresh Vegetables
Giant Food
Coca-Cola Consolidated
Don and Sindy Rogers
Gold Sponsors
Bimbo Bakeries USA
Johns Hopkins Division of Pediatric Oncology
Museles Family
Table Sponsors
Children’s National Hospital
Coomes Family
Diamond Foods
EMD Sales
JOH
John and Regina Gates Foundation
Keystone Electric Co.
McCormick & Company
Mitchell Titus
Moonlight East
Moonlight West
Poole & Kent
Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai
Schmidt Baking
Shulman Rogers
Stagwell Media
Toretsky Family
Dinner Hour Sponsor – Highbank Advisors
Family of 4 Sponsors –
4C Foods
ASR-Domino Foods, Inc.
Braswell Family Farms
Butterball
KL Hoffman & Co.
P.K. Kinder Co.
Vital Farms
Marsh McLennan Insurance/HMS
Food Station Sponsor- CA Ferolie
Gift Bag Sponsor – Hayes Construction
For the fourth year, local survivor Hannah Bean, designed the dress worn by CCF President, Tasha Museles. Hannah, and her mother, Erika, collaborated to design and create the dress specifically for the Gala.
Guests enjoyed the sounds of Black Tie with a special appearance by survivor and drummer Noah Kabia!
CCF extends its appreciation to the amazing volunteers, businesses and organizations who donated their time and services to make the evening so successful.
The 43rd Annual CCF Gala is scheduled for November 6, 2027 – Save the Date!
