There is little more satisfying than spreading Christmas cheer, particularly to those journeying through cancer.

This December, Gala of Hope is sharing Christmas with cancer patients across the greater Dayton community. Cancer centers in the region have identified 52 patients and their families (a total of 176 individuals) who need a loving dose of Christmas cheer or will have little Christmas at all. Each patient and family member provide a wish list of gifts which are then passed to our volunteer “elves.”

Our elves purchase gifts (paid for by donations to Gala of Hope), prepare and wrap, and then arrange with the patient delivery of gifts the week prior to Christmas. Each family will also receive a grocery gift card to provide them with a Christmas Day dinner.

Our volunteers tell us of the surprise and gratitude each patient expresses, and the obvious cheer that allows a patient and family to suspend the challenge of their cancer journey, even for only a few hours. They realize that they do not walk their journey alone. There is hope…Christmas hope!