Runway Reflections
SPRING SOIRÉE
Runway to Hope's Spring Soiree is the organization's signature fundraising event of the year! The highlight of the evening is an inspiring & heartwarming fashion show featuring over 175 incredibly brave children, all of whom are currently battling or within their five year remission mark of their pediatric cancer. Modeling much more than clothing, these inspiring children walk the runway hand-in-hand with one of our national & local celebrity escorts. It is an incredible experience to watch these kids show off their strength & unwavering spirits as they strut & smile down the runway! The annual Spring Soiree is a true testament to the support & passion the Central Florida community has shown towards this heartbreaking cause In May of 2024, our event hosted approximately 2,300 guests and raised an outstanding amount of $1.1 million during this single, spectacular evening! W h e n & W h e r e M a y 1 7 , 2 0 2 5 R
Mission
Runway to Hope's mission is to serve children & families, primarily in Central Florida, battling pediatric cancer while seeking a cure
Vision
Through community partnerships, Runway to Hope fosters collaborative efforts among corporations, local businesses, and philanthropists to not only raise funds & awareness but to also bring new programs & initiatives to the three local children’s hospitals here in Central Florida. Runway to Hope does this all while providing financial assistance to families who are in need due to their pediatric cancer diagnosis through our Family Assistance Program that operates year-round.
Why is it important to care?
1 in 5 families 1 in 5 families diagnosed diagnosed with pediatric with pediatric cancer are cancer are already living in already living in poverty poverty
41% of the families we served in 2023, are living below the National Poverty Threshold.
Oftentimes, at least one parent must in order to become a full time care taker quit their job
37% of the families we served in 2023, experienced work disruption.
300,000+ children per year are diagnosed with cancer worldwide
95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health related issue by the time they're 45 years old
*Facts sourced through the following: Runway to Hope Trends & Demographics Tracking, National Cancer Institute, National Children's Cancer Society, Cure Search, and St Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Since the inception of our Family Assistance Program, Runway to Hope has granted over $1,122,000 directly to over 680 families battling pediatric cancer in our Central Florida Community. The numbers below show the 2014-2024 (and counting) totals in just a few of the categories in which we assist: As of July 2024
Our families’ needs are endless and solely funded by philanthropy We would not be able to provide the financial assistance, support, and hope that we do without YOU! Thank you to all of our supporters for your unwavering support. $602,961.35
Runway to Hope's $4.3 Million granted to Hospital & Research Funding
$10,000 Completed
Car T-Cell Therapy Program Creation
$1 Million Completed
Funded the Pediatric Palliative Care Program
$500,000 Completed
Funded a portion of the renovations for the Pediatric Oncology
Floor The new floor grew to include 12 large patient rooms, a family lounge, & a play room.
$1 Million Completed
Established the Community Children's Oncology Program & helped create a Pediatric Interventional Radiology Program
$200,000 Completed Funded the Pediatric Cancer Survivor Program of Excellence
$105,000 Completed Funded new Microwave Ablation Technology for the interventional radiology department
$195,000 Completed Funded Precision Medicine, which is a revolutionary approach for disease prevention & treatment
$1 Million Completed
Funded the establishment of Central Florida's first ever comprehensive Pediatric Neuro-oncoloy Program
$382,824 Completed
Funded the establishment on a Neuro-oncology Laboratory complete with a full time research technician and additional equipment
Spring Soiree Sponsorship Opportunities
Runway to Hope’s incredible sponsors provide necessary & essential funding that not only goes towards providing direct financial assistance to our families who are currently battling their pediatric cancer diagnosis, but also towards researching better treatments and ultimately finding a cure Runway to Hope recognizes the importance of each sponsor and is committed to fulfilling any special requests you may have in order to secure a partnership moving forward
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Spring Soiree Silent & Live Auction
The Runway to Hope Silent and Live Auction Program is comprised of luxury items donated from national as well as local Central Florida companies Both our Silent and Live Auctions are hosted through an online bidding software. All items donated can be viewed and bid on prior to the night of our Spring Soiree Bidding remains open well into the night so that everyone has the opportunity to review and compete for the best items, tickets, and packages!
Please consider donating an item to our Silent and/or Live Auction Program. The money raised from the various donated items, packages, and experiences will go directly towards pediatric cancer research and direct financial assistance to families battling in Central Florida
Please scan the QR code or visit www.runwaytohope.org/springsoiree in order to fill out and submit your Runway to Hope Auction Donation Form. You may also email auction@runwaytohope.org for more information. Once your form is submitted, someone on the Runway to Hope team will be in touch to coordinate the details and/or pick up of items.
Volunteer Opportunities
Spring Soiree Volunteers
Volunteer to put on an incredible night of fun for our kids battling pediatric cancer away from hospitals and treatment centers while we raise money to fund cancer research and direct financial assistance for their families The magic that they radiate down the runway is unforgettable
May 17th - Spring Soiree Event Positions
Rosen Shingle Creek Shifts available 3:30pm-11pm
Guest Registration Volunteers
Pre-Function/Auction Volunteers
Nurse/Medical Professional Volunteers Needed*
Ballroom Volunteers
Load Out Volunteers
Nurses/Medical Professionals Needed*
Runway to Hope requests volunteers that are nurses, individuals with medical training (First Aid and CPR), and/or non-medically trained hospital personnel to be backstage with the children battling pediatric cancer This event is a fun night where the children get to be superstars, and you have the chance to help our kids shine by guiding and getting them ready for their moment in the spotlight.
Previous RTH Spring Soiree Hosts
MariaMenounos
LisaLing
JoeyFatone
CherylBurke
MelissaRivers
Don Lemon
RobertHerjavec
LindsayArnold
JohnnyMagic
Ryan Cabrera & Alexa Bliss
Ross Mathews
DaymondJohn
HowieDorough
Nikki Bella Kym Johnson
Celebrity Supporters of Runway to Hope
TheJonasBroth ShaqO'Neal
George Akon
MichaelChampion
LauraBrown
RachelPlatten BoyzIIMen
IggyAzalea WayneBrady
AJ McLean
GregKinn
AndyGrammer JameerNelson
PaulaAbdul HodaKotb
Zanna Roberts Rassi
MarciaHa KennyG
Larry the Cable Guy DanRather LawrenceZarian
DJKhaled
ElizabethBanks
David Copperfield ChrisKirkpatrick YoannaHouse
Central Florida Testimonials
This event showcases youngsters who so bravely fight this dreaded disease, who can at least for a moment put their struggle aside and enjoy a celebratory atmosphere.
- Harris Rosen | President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Runway to Hope is truly inspirational in their dedication and compassion for ending childhood cancer. Having the opportunity to meet these extraordinary young people and their families has been incredibly rewarding and a blessing to me I hope to be involved in their fight for a cure for many years to come
- Howie Dorough | Backstreet Boy Member
I met Rudy at Runway to Hope one night - but she made an impact that still moves me today As much as anything, Rudy taught me about grace She knew she didn't have long, but she was determined to let her light shine as long as possible Special kids like that deserve all the help - and love - we can give them
- Scott Maxwell | Orlando Sentinel Columnist
For me, it's more so that Runway to Hop still thinks of us Jaturi is no longer with u but they didn't forget about us It's a honor to be able to attend; it's an honor th Runway to Hope reaches out to u
- Erika McNair | Mother of Jaturi McNa (Forever 11 Years Old), recipients of Runwa to Hope's Family Assistance Progra
nway to Hope has made this process arable [They] have made this process sier for us because a diagnosis like this e for a child so young is heartbreaking In at moment, what mattered most was the motional support even more than the ancial support and Runway to Hope was ere We never felt alone at any moment Leynise & Gabriel Zambrano | Parents of ejandro Zambrano, recipients of Runway Hope's Family Assistance Program
Behind the scenes, we have awesome da parties. I tell you, you need to see a baby da with an IV too! You know, that's when they actu get to be a kid, because they're not the only there that is going through treatment but for one night they are allowed to be a normal ch for that one night their best friend is not some dressed in scrubs but is someone from Runway to Hope family who is there to dance them for hours until they're ready to walk run
-Raquel Nembhard | Mother of Jona Nembhard (Forever 20 Years Old) recipients of Runway to Hope’s Family Assistance Program
