Overview The Hope Gala is a New York benefit night for Penn State's student dance marathon, THON, and its 2026 gala at Gotham Hall raised $325,545.14. The money goes through THON to Four Diamonds, which covers 100% of out-of-pocket medical bills for children treated for cancer at Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital. The gala is run entirely by volunteers, with an executive committee and an advisory board, and the New York City Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association founded it in 2008 with support from the Northern New Jersey Chapter. THON, a no-sitting, no-sleeping, 46-hour dance marathon held every February, has raised more than $236 million for children with cancer and their families since 1977. On site The 2026 gala filled a Saturday night in March at Gotham Hall on Broadway, from 6 to 11:30: a cocktail hour, a seated dinner, entertainment and special guests, a silent auction that closed at 10:15, a family speaker and an award, and then a full dance floor to finish. Talent and Influencers Dr. Ryan McGarry emceed for the tenth time in 2026. The Heroes of Hope Award that year went to Dr. Stergios Zacharoulis for his work on new approaches to treating DIPG, and the Eichelberger family told the story of their son Jaxon, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a toddler and six and healthy by the time of the gala. At the 2015 gala Devon Still spoke and received the Hope Gala Knight Award, and in 2018 the Leah Still Award for Courage went to the Conner M. Holland Foundation. Track record Money raised: $175,139 at the seventh gala in 2015, against a $100,000 goal and from more than 450 benefactors; more than $1 million across the first ten years by the 2018 gala; and in 2026 the running total since 2008 passed $3 million. Brand presence Sponsorship is sold as named roles and diamond tiers. The title sponsor takes two reserved tables seating 24, its logo on the event signage, an activation on the night and recognition from the podium. The production sponsor underwrites the live music and production, the family sponsor stands behind the family speaker segment, and the cocktail hour sponsor names the evening's signature cocktail and puts its name on the bar. Four diamond levels below them buy blocks of VIP tickets, and ads run in a digital program.