Gallery of Hope's Bright, Bold, & Beautiful Gala
Thursday, October 8, 2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, hope, and community at the 2026 Gallery of Hope: Bright, Bold, & Beautiful Gala on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Champaign County Fairgrounds – 4-H Building.

For 28 years, the Gallery of Hope has honored local breast cancer survivors while raising critical funds to support Breast Friends Forever of Champaign County. Every dollar raised stays right here in Champaign County, providing year-round support services, financial assistance, and encouragement to individuals and families facing a breast cancer diagnosis.
​
Enjoy an inspiring evening featuring:

• Silent Auction
• Exciting Raffles
• Wine Bar
• Delicious Dinner
• Live Auction
• An uplifting Fashion Show featuring local breast cancer survivors

Event Schedule
5:00 PM – Silent Auction, Raffles & Wine Bar
6:15 PM – Dinner
6:30 PM – Live Auction
Following Dinner – Survivor Fashion Show

Whether you're attending in honor of a loved one, celebrating a survivor, or simply supporting an incredible cause, your presence helps ensure that no one in Champaign County faces breast cancer alone.

Come dressed in your brightest, boldest, and most beautiful attire as we celebrate strength, resilience, and hope together.

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Donation Letter

Donation Form

2025 Model Biographies

Lisa Fetter

Hello Gala guests! 
My name is Lisa Fetter and I am here to share with you my breast cancer journey. In April of 2024, I had my yearly mammogram and was expecting a call back to schedule a diagnostic mammogram/ultrasound. This has been the norm every year for the past 35 years due to a history of dense breast tissue which is considered one of the risk factors for breast cancer. I was notified that something suspicious was found on my mammogram and needed follow-up. A diagnostic mammogram and biopsy via ultrasound was performed. It turned out "My Chart" was a wealth of information for me as a nurse. As the results became available, I was able to figure out I had breast cancer before the final results of the pathology report came back. Waiting to see the surgeon several weeks later and the pending FISH report further added to my anxiety. The final report was invasive ductal carcinoma, Grade II; subtype: HER2 Positive /Estrogen Positive >95% right breast. To further complicate my diagnosis, the Breast MRI showed a suspicious nodule on my left breast not picked up on mammogram. The final diagnosis from biopsy was Triple Negative Breast Cancer left breast. What are the odds of having 2 different breast cancers at the same time? Before starting my treatment for my breast cancer, which included 2 different chemotherapies and 2 targeted therapies every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, I went to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion. It was there that I found out that Mercy Health and Marysville Memorial in affiliation 
with the James at OSU, provided the same cancer therapy for HER2 positive/estrogen breast cancer/triple negative breast cancer. I felt fortunate to be able to stay and receive treatments locally. 

I had complications with my chemotherapy and was unable to have genetic testing until October 2024. The results indicated I had the BRCA 2 genetic mutation/variant, which meant my BRCA gene was damaged and further increased my risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The recommendation was bilateral mastectomies (done Feb 2025) and oophorectomy (done Aug 2025). After double masectomies, the pathology result of breast tissue showed residual breast cancer. I am currently on chemotherapy with herceptin and doing well. 
​
In conclusion, I hope I've made a difference in sharing my journey with each and everyone of you and the importance of yearly breast cancer screening. By having cancer, I have learned that life is so much more meaningful, precious, and to live each day to the fullest. I am thankful and blessed I live in a community that has provided continued educational, emotional, and financial support for cancer patients. A special thank you and gratitude to my heavenly father, family, friends, all the wonderful princess warriors of Breast Friends Forever of CC, and The Cancer Association of CC, who have been a lifeline to me!

Sarah Anderson

My name is Sarah Anderson and on April 10th 2024 after a routine yearly mammogram that required an ultrasound and biopsy. I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma (Breast Cancer). That call from my doctor left me stunned and initially feeling afraid. But with the support of my incredible family and friends I got focused on beating cancer and healing. 

God has never left me alone before and I knew He wasn't going to leave me alone now. My confession was to Let the Peace of God rule in my heart. I wanted to Thrive, not just Survive. When you receive a diagnosis like this it's very easy to become overwhelmed with all the tests, the Doctors, insurance, paper work, medications. surgeries, and appointments. I was so thankful to have an amazing team fighting in my corner. 

At the end of May I had a lumpectomy on my left breast and they also removed five Lymph nodes. My surgeon got clean margins and removed all the cancer. When my pathology came back, two of the five Lymph nodes tested positive for cancer. 

My Oncologist made the recommendation for chemotherapy 4 rounds over 12 weeks. I had a chest port placed and Chemotherapy started July 2nd. 

I'm not going to sugar coat it. Chemo was an incredibly challenging process. It was one of the hardest things I have ever faced. And losing my hair way harder than I thought it would be. There were a lot of opportunities for fear to creep into my thoughts as we navigated this journey. But with the love and encouragement of my family and friends and continually reminding myself of God's promises and Love, I was able to push fear aside and face the scary stuff with confidence. This was in no way easy. 

I finished Chemo on September 5th. And four weeks later I started radiation treatments. I had a total of 30 rounds of radiation over six weeks. Radiation was more of a challenge than I had expected but like Chemo with the help of my family and friends I faced it and overcame the challenges. 
​
I know God heals and is bigger than any situation. And hearing my Doctor say you are cancer free. It's hard to put my relief and thankfulness into words. My heart is just SO grateful!! 

Heather Holycross

I was born in Dayton, Ohio in September of 1975. In March 2016, I moved to Urbana with my sons, Lukas, now 23, and Jake, now 19. Love brought me here! In April 2024, I had my yearly mammogram. One ultrasound and biopsy later, I was informed I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my right breast. I was an absolute mess! The next day was Jake’s Clark State Commencement. I thought wearing my reading glasses would help camouflage my red, puffy eyes. I have a great imagination! Lukas and Jake had no idea what I was experiencing, and that's what I wanted. It was a beautiful day! 

After my lumpectomy, my nieces, Kylie, Olivia, Jillian, my sister, Sara, and I were on a group chat, chronicling my journey. They brainstormed on a chat group name. Boob dates, Tit Talk, Mammo-rant, Tea and Crumptits, and Yabba Dabba Boobs were some of the ideas. We never actually decided on a name. Their attempt to help make me laugh was all that mattered. My mom, Millie, and dad, David, took me to some of my appointments, and it made me happy! Mom is a surviving Princess Warrior too! The doctor provided options for potential surgical procedures. I opted to leave well enough alone. I don't mind looking at my uneven breasts. Neither does Matt! 

Because of the size of my tumor and my age, I fit the parameters to participate in an accelerated partial breast irradiation. The radiation was focused on the area where the cancer was removed, instead of the entire breast. For five days straight, I arrived at my 7am appointments on time, thanks to Matt wanting to drive me. He went in to work late that entire week because he didn't want me worrying. I did not have to undergo Chemotherapy. Thankfully, one less worry. 
​
A few months ago, my radiologist informed me of NED. No evidence of disease! I plan on sticking with my friend NED! I am thankful for God, my family, and friends, throughout this unwanted journey. Everyone at Mercy Health Springfield Cancer Center, BFF of CC, and CACC have been a true blessing! A special thank you to Tracy Adrian, Ann Hembree, and Linda Lensman for looking out for me. I am, in turn, here for any of you. Feel free to reach out to me for support. Love, Light, and Peace to all of you, and don't forget to sing a happy song, like the O'Jays! 

Mary Ann Bargar

My name is Mary Ann Barger, and I'm a breast cancer survivor of 28 years. My journey began in 1995, when I'd dropped out of the RN program at Edison State, not knowing what was wrong with me, only that I couldn't continue, due to feeling ill. The next spring I'd found the mass in my left breast. After seeing my gynecologist, and tested positive for cancer, I then seen Dr. Bucklew, and I'd expressed my believing, that, "the tumor was surrounded and it was keeping the cancer from touching any other tissue around it. I believed at this point after hearing the Word taught on "You already have enough", to believe to be victorious. Immediately after the procedure was completed, Dr. Bucklew went out to my husband, George and stated. "You won't believe this, the tumor was completely surrounded, just like Mary Ann had told me and wasn't touching any of the tissue around it!" After surgery and going through Chemo, I had gotten through it all, with the help of God and my family, whom I was very thankful for their support. I remember my very emotional time that I had losing my hair, as well as you, who experienced it as well. My husband and kids all took turns cutting and shaving my head. I said that I wanted to be in control, not the chemo. When I look back on that day, I smile, because they did a loving act of kindness for me. Six weeks after the Chemo was completed, I went back to school and obtained my LPN license. My daughter, Sarah, who was only nineteen at the time, did a great deal for me and we kind of switched roles, as I went through this nightmare. Now my daughter just had breast cancer this past spring and praise God that they got it all. She's now going through Chemo Treatment and I'm thankful that I can be here for her now.

Ce Greene

Cancer....It's a Family Affair.

It started with my great-grandmother, although they didn't have a name for it. A no-nonsense woman, my great grandmother adjusted her lifestyle to accommodate it and the changes it forced upon her and she continued living life on her own terms.

Then it descended upon my grandmother,  and they were pretty sure they knew what it was by then. Like my great-grandmother, my grandmother didn’t mess around.  You did not trifle with her!  She confronted the “Trespasser” squarely and proudly lived life on her own terms.

Next came my sweet, brave mother who fought through her breast cancer with purpose, strength and laughter.  My Mother fought the “Trespasser” with humor, tossing in quips and chuckling when I least expected it.

Such courage and dedication those women had!  I remember that both my grandmother and my mother received second-degree burns during their treatment from scars through hot water compresses—my grandmother: on her breast; and my mother: on her hands.

Such humor we have all had!  I affectionately recall when we lost "Brown-Boobie", the name  we called my mother’s breast prosthesis. We searched all day,  but couldn't find it. When transporting my mother in the car back to my house,  I ran over a lump in my driveway. After further investigation,  "Brown-Boobie" was found!  Only a few tread marks, but otherwise in good shape.

I have always known that I am incredibly lucky:  I was raised with a legacy of can-do women:  strong, resilient women who saw life as an adventure, soaking up and holding tight to all of the good parts while meeting any obstacles and challenges head-on—-planfully and with determination.

So…finally, on January 25, 2017,  the “Trespasser”, CANCER, came to call on me. It was now my turn.

" Infiltrating  Ductal Carcinoma" the doctor had said.  I thought I  was prepared, but nothing can prepare you to hear the words....."Yes, You have breast cancer"

My doctor agreed that I was, indeed, lucky because we caught it early: stage 1 and only located in two areas: one 9 mm and the other 1 cm. Surgery,  radiation and cancer medication were next.

But, honestly, I didn’t feel so lucky.  I wanted to crawl under my bed, and  curl up into a ball. 
BUT, after a few minutes of self-reflection, I reminded myself of my family legacy—- I come from women who chose not to wallow in self-pity—-they didn’t waste precious time obsessing over their lot—-they rolled up their sleeves and got ‘er done!
So I pulled myself up by my bootstraps.  There  was no time to waste, No giving up.....After all, I was my Therese Greene's daughter, Ann Evelyn’s  granddaughter, and Mary Alice’s great granddaughter!

It was MY time to...
Take control and turn things around wherever I could!
  .....improve my lifestyle
.....find great medical care
.....eat delicious healthy meals
....get adequate sleep
.....get plenty of exercise
……. maintain my daily responsibilities and relationships when I was able to or, hand them off to others with no   regrets when I wasn’t able to
......lean on great friends and support systems without feeling guilty
.....reduce my stress....if that's even possible

My family legacy was (and still is) strong.  I held on to the fact that, with the medical advances that we’ve seen in the last 4 generations , I was better supported and equipped than my great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother were to fight the “Trespasser”.  And so, l made it through...with the help of "my Girl-Gang", family  support, and a Strawberry smoothie every morning after radiation for 7 weeks..... although I gained 6 pounds!

So, the moral of this story is this:  Not everything is easy or fixable, but you have more control than you think!  And, no one that I know of has produced any recognizable achievements while hiding under their bed, curled up into a ball!

After 8 and 1/2 years,  I am strong, healthy and continue to be cancer free! 

If the “Trespasser" visits your home, dig in and FIGHT!  You, too, can do hard things!

2025 Donors

​Radiance Event Sponsorships ($2500)
Mercy Health - Urbana Hospital
Greene’s Guardians
Tammy & Victoria
Wreck-A-Mended Collision Center

Beacon ($1000)
Rittal
Champaign County PIlot's Association
Cancer Assoc of Cham County
Concord United Methodist Church
The Fetter Family
K Family Concessions & Catering
Jay & Penny Underwood
Curt & Theresa Witeby
Urbana Vet Clinic
Berry Digital Solutions
​Dragonfly Vineyard & Winery

Spotlight ($500)
Addie King
American Legion #238
Cable Community Methodist Church
The Cassady Family
Dave Kehl Chevrolet
The Dyer Family
Hometown Tech/Hometown Productions
The James Family
KTH
London Dental Care -Jennifer R. Sogan DDS LLC
Mixx 165
MUMC Women of Faith
Ohio Valley Surgical Center
Park National Bank
People Savings Bank
Pullins Drainage
Terri Parmley, Attorney at Law
​Truman & Kate Johnson  

Lantern ($350)
Anna's Allies & Henderson Land Investment Co
Ann Parsons/Becky Jackson
Dayton Physicians Network
Flawless Aesthetics
Honorable Judge Brett Gilbert
The Levine Realty Company
Mary Rutan Hospital
Matt Moore, Farrier Services
Mercy Hospital - Springfield Cancer Center Maryann & George Barger. Sarah Anderson
Parker Trutec, Inc
The Pink Mamalas-Heather Tiefenthaler
ReSculpt Aesthetics
Ron Burns State Farm
V Patrick Hamilton Reality
​Bearded & Barefoot Photo Booths LLC

Scenes from the 2025 Event

Thank you to Cheyenne Houchin of Bearded & Barefoot Photo Booths LLC for bringing her Photo Booth and letting our guests use it for the evening!  

Scenes from the Photo Booth

Video by Samie Schinker