OUR MISSION:

REDUCE THE NUMBER WHO PERISH IN CANCER'S GRIP

REDUCE THE NUMBER WHO PERISH IN CANCER'S GRIP

Our Founders

TOUCHED BY CANCER

TOUCHED BY CANCER

Bob and Barbara Mills saw cancer firsthand. Barbara lost her father to liposarcoma, a rare cancer of the fatty tissue. Bob was a cancer survivor, but tragically lost his first wife, Marcy, to cancer. Soon after, he and his family stood by his granddaughter in her lengthy battle against leukemia. Today she is an 9-year survivor. 


These experiences, coupled with their continued desire to make our community a better place to live, drove Bob and Barbara to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer initiatives. As they did, they heard more stories of others battling cancer, and saw cancer increase its effect in the Dayton region. Bob and Barbara inquired with organizations they were helping to see how much of what they raised on their behalf stayed in the Dayton region to help local patients.

Unfortunately, very little of these funds helped Dayton residents. For that reason, they founded Gala of Hope Foundation, and decided that they would make a difference here and begin to send cancer into the sunset. 


Bob and Barbara personally hosted Gala of Hope’s premier biennial fundraising event, setting local fundraising records with each consecutive event. 


Bob passed in July, 2020.

Bob and Barbara Mills saw cancer firsthand. Barbara lost her father to liposarcoma, a rare cancer of the fatty tissue. Bob was a cancer survivor, but tragically lost his first wife, Marcy, to cancer. Soon after, he and his family stood by his granddaughter in her lengthy battle against leukemia. Today she is an 9-year survivor. 


These experiences, coupled with their continued desire to make our community a better place to live, drove Bob and Barbara to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer initiatives. As they did, they heard more stories of others battling cancer, and saw cancer increase its effect in the Dayton region. Bob and Barbara inquired with organizations they were helping to see how much of what they raised on their behalf stayed in the Dayton region to help local patients.

Unfortunately, very little of these funds helped Dayton residents. For that reason, they founded Gala of Hope Foundation, and decided that they would make a difference here and begin to send cancer into the sunset. 


Bob and Barbara personally hosted Gala of Hope’s premier biennial fundraising event, setting local fundraising records with each consecutive event. 


Bob passed in July, 2020.

Our Board

Dr. Charles Bane

Board Member Since 2022

Kim Belcastro

Board Member Since 2021

Phil Black

Board Member Since 2014

Carly Cox

Board Member Since 2021

Tiffany Kellner

Board Member Since 2019

Cameron McGregor

Board Member Since 2021

Barbara Mills

Board Member Since 2014

Robert Morris

Board Member Since 2022

Rebecca Raines

Board Member Since 2022

Bob Mills

Board Member, Emeritus (Posthumous) 2014-2020

Our Staff

Robin Robbins

Administration and Patient Support

Our Work

Because of the generosity of our donors and the support of the Dayton region, we have invested significant resources in the Dayton region, and already changed the face of cancer for over 26,000 cancer patients.


Gala of Hope has:


  • Created the region’s first Tumor Tissue Bank in 2016 at Dayton Children’s Hospital, now joined with 16 worldwide research hospitals. Funded the next phase of this research in 2020 to establish a laboratory animal lab that will reproduce tumors to better measure reaction to treatment and environmental factors, and ultimately help define new treatment protocols. There are currently few laboratory animal models for pediatric brain cancer worldwide. Dayton Children’s could become the most successful in North America.

  • Offered fertility preservation to children and teens facing cancer treatment.

  • Helped replace the Dayton region’s Cyclotron at Kettering Medical Center, one of only 150 in the world, a specialized technology that increases the accurate targeting of tumors for treatment or removal to assure the complete removal of cancer.

  • Initiated and funded the regions’ first lung cancer awareness and focused reduction in partnership with Mercy Health-Springfield Regional.

  • Made available exercise and nutrition therapy through Maple Tree Cancer Alliance for all regional cancer patients. Maple Tree Cancer Alliance is founded in Dayton and is now the nation’s only cancer rehabilitation program with proven results to increase cancer survivor rates. Those who participate in exercise therapy during cancer treatment see greater endurance, fewer side effects, and overall better health. Their research was also funded by Gala of Hope.

  • Provided Massage Therapy to chemotherapy patients at all cancer centers, clinically shown to help improved the healing effects of infusion and reduce consequences.

  • Funded Mobile Mammography and Free Mammography Services for greater access across the region, particularly underprivileged areas.

  • Heightened education of female cancers and underwrote the cutting-edge Hope in Motion education exhibit presented by Pink Ribbon Girls.

  • Provide almost weekly Direct Patient Support relieving financial expenses as patients fight against cancer.

  • And more…

See The Gala's Impact

© Gala of Hope 2024

3500 Pentagon Blvd Suite 500

Beavercreek, OH 45431

(937) 429 - 3143 ext 129

information@galaofhope.net


© Gala of Hope 2024

3500 Pentagon Blvd Suite 500

Beavercreek, OH 45431

(937) 429 - 3143 ext 129

information@galaofhope.net