Work on the annual Children's Cancer Association Wonderball Gala begins in January and concludes each September, after hundreds of hours of work and collaboration to create a memorable event for our guests, and raising over $1.2 million to fund CCA programming.

This year's gala planning began as normal, with plans to host roughly 1,000 guests at the Oregon Convention Center for a live and silent auction, musical guests, keynote address, teen/family speaker, and fundraising appeal. As limitations continued due to COVID-19, we readjusted our strategy instead to a live streaming event, partnering with henry v here in Portland.

This year's theme, The Future is Joy, celebrated CCA's 25 year anniversary while looking toward the future of the organization. Guests dressed in silver and sci-fi-inspired outfits while holding mini (COVID-approved) watch parties across the state and the country. Pre-stream entertainment included virtual cocktail mixology lessons, a wine tasting, and a "table host" Zoom room directory for friends to gather and connect. The event itself kicked off with "Fly Me To the Moon" performed by Redray Frasier, Jordan Kent Emceed alongside auctioneer, Kelly Russel, and The Lumineers closed out the live stream with a fantastic three-song set.

Website and live stream video are available here.