Today Show’s Craig Melvin Hosts 8th Annual Blue Hope Bash

The National Building Center was awash in blue.  Some of it was style; more than desired was sadness; but the majority was sincere support.

National non-profit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance hosted its eighth annual Blue Hope Bash in late October at the National Building Museum. 

The event, a fundraising gala that brings together individuals and corporations passionate about supporting the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s mission to end colorectal cancer within our lifetime, was co-chaired by Jennifer Chow, Jennifer Redmond, Tammy Sickels and Alexa Smith.

The night included a welcome cocktail reception, a special dinner program, live and silent auctions, and even had one lucky ally winning a custom 2019 Porsche Boxster! 

The theme this year was “In Our Lifetime,” a message that resonated with Today Show and MSNBC News anchor Craig Melvin, the gala’s emcee.  His brother Lawrence Meadows was diagnosed two years ago with stage IV (metastatic) colorectal cancer at age 39. Earlier this year, Craig provided an update on his brother’s cancer journey (link). In March 2018, Melvin invited Alliance CEO Michael Sapienza to the Today Show to talk about early detection and young-onset incidence rates (link).

Since the event’s inception in 2010, the Blue Hope Bash has raised more than $8.5 million. This year’s gala brought together more than 650 attendees and raised $1.3 million toward critical research and saving lives through increased screening.

*Images credit Jack Hartzman Photography.