Illuminate Gala
The Illuminate Gala is a new signature event hosted by the Masonic Cancer Center on World Cancer Research Day to accelerate cancer discoveries that bring better treatments, improved outcomes, and more cures to patients in Minnesota and beyond.
Guests will enjoy an unforgettable experience featuring a powerful program, science spotlights featuring MCC’s research breakthroughs, live music, silent auction, gourmet dinner, and libations.
Individual tickets: $200
Table of 8: $1,600
Table of 10: $2,000
Hotel Information
- On the website click the Book button in the top left corner
- Select your arrival and departure date then Check Availability
- Confirm the room type is showing the Masonic Cancer Center rate then click Select & Book
- Review the details and click Book
- Follow the remaining steps to finalize your reservation
- Press 1 for a New Reservation.
- Hotel Name: Hyatt Place Saint Paul/Downtown
- Group Code is G-UMNB at a $124/night rate
- You will be asked to provide credit card details to guarantee your reservation prior to receiving a confirmation number.
Event Schedule & Activities
Event Emcee: Randy Shaver, sports/news anchor and 2x survivor
Featured Speaker: Emma Dimmery, survivor
Valet parking available beginning at 3:30 PM
4:00 p.m. | VIP Reception featuring Science Spotlights and live music with local vocalist Jiselle McCollam
5:00 p.m. | Cocktail hour with gourmet bites and libations
6:00 p.m. | Dinner and main program, including a live auction
8:00 p.m. | Live musical entertainment with Retro Soul and the Westside Horns Featuring Big Mike
9:30 p.m. | Evening concludes
Science Spotlights
This educational component of the evening allows guests to learn more about some of the groundbreaking research occurring at the Masonic Cancer Center and to engage directly with the faculty contributing to reducing the burden of cancer and beyond.
2026 Science Spotlights include:
- Precision Editing and Personalized Care with Beau Webber, PhD and Branden Moriarity, PhD
- Prostate Cancer Precision Research with Justin Hwang, PhD
- Environmental Exposures and DNA Damage with Silvia Balbo, PhD
- Community Engaged Work with Rural and American Indian Communities and Smoking Cessation with Dana Carroll, PhD, MPH
- Viral and Immunotherapy Approaches in Pancreatic Cancer with Ajay Prakash, MD, PhD
Beginning at 4 p.m. we encourage you to participate in fundraising activities including:
- Silent auction - opens the week of the Gala to start bidding early!
- Luminary purchase - yours to personalize in honor of or in memory of a loved one
- Personal portrait - a custom keepsake of yourself or your party to remember the occasion
- Wine pull - in this game of chance, will your wrapped bottle of wine be a classic or a new favorite?
- Light up wearable - match the lustrous theme by purchasing a light up item to wear throughout the evening and to signal your philanthropy for the cause
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a dress code?
Attire is business casual to formal. We encourage you to dress your best and show your shine to match the light theme of the event.
Can I access the silent auction before the event?
Yes! Registered attendees will be sent an email when the silent auction is live and it will be available at z.umn.edu/IlluminateGala. It will be available from Monday, September 21 until 8 PM at the Gala on Thursday, September 24.
I can’t attend the Gala. How can I still support the mission?
We appreciate donations of any value at z.umn.edu/DonateToIlluminate. Every dollar counts to help us accelerate cancer discoveries at MCC and beyond.
Support & Sponsor
View the Sponsorship Prospectus
Did you know that many companies offer donation watching programs for their employees? Your gift to Illuminate could go even further! Visit the matching gift page to find out if your company participates and to access instructions for submitting a match.
Access the Toolkit to share the Illuminate Gala with your networks.
To learn more, become a sponsor, or donate to the event, please contact Lissa Martinez Huebner at [email protected].
Thank you to our supporters
Spotlight Presenting Sponsor
- Natera
Shining Star Sponsor
- Midwest Radiology
Glow-Up Sponsors
- Pfizer
- Gilead Oncology
- Janssen
- Big Spirit Promotions
Sparkler Sponsors
- AstraZeneca
- BeOne
- Boston Scientific
Firefly Sponsors
- Fairview
- Eisai
- 2Tone Logistics
- Amped Advertising
- Angelic Jewel Photography
- Caris Life Sciences
- Custom Keepsakes
- Fotogenic
- GR Promotions
- Johnson & Johnson
- K. Rossbach - in memory of Steve Schneider
- Synergy Promotions
- S. Fautsch
- Taylor Communications
- UMN Posters
Learn more here about how you can be a corporate sponsor.
Or register with a sponsorship (includes 4+ tickets).