Over 1,200 people attended the event to raise funds for HudsonAlpha’s breast and ovarian cancer research, as well as the Information is Power initiative.

A special thank you to Presenting Sponsor Rosie’s Mexican Cantina for supporting Tie The Ribbons for ten years! We are grateful to Patsy and John Shields for generously providing our $10,000 day-of matching gift, as well as to Breakthrough Sponsor Alabama Media Group, Founding Sponsors Cindy H. Jackson and Synovus Bank, and Impact Sponsors Century Automotive and Madison County Medical Society. A big thank you to each of the Gold and Pink & Teal sponsors!

On November 7, 2024, the HudsonAlpha Foundation hosted a crowd of over 1,200 members of the community in support of the 16th annual Tie The Ribbons luncheon.

This community-favorite event raises funds for HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s breast and ovarian cancer research, as well as the Information is Power initiative for cancer risk genetic testing. All proceeds help fuel research that improves cancer diagnostics and treatment, and helps thousands of Alabamians know their inherited risk for developing many forms of cancer.

Held at the Saturn Ballroom in the Von Braun Center, this year’s Tie The Ribbons luncheon exceeded the $20,00 day-of fundraising goal as guests were spurred on by a generous matching gift from Patsy and John Shields. Combined with sponsorships and other donations, the Tie The Ribbons luncheon raised over $215,000, a HudsonAlpha historic record for this event.

Breast and ovarian cancer survivors, as well as Information is Power participants, shared about their inspiring journeys during the event. Sara Cooper, PhD, HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator who spearsheads HudsonAlpha’s breast and ovarian cancer program, provided an update on HudsonAlpha’s cancer research and guest speaker Rebecca Arend, MD, Associate Professor of Gynecology Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, joined Dr. Cooper on stage to share about the exciting research and clinical trials she’s leading in ovarian cancer. 

Speakers also included emcee Pammie Jimmar, a breast cancer survivor who has hosted Tie The Ribbons for several years, and Dr. Neil Lamb, HudsonAlpha President. 

In addition to lunch and the program, this year’s Tie The Ribbons event featured a silent auction of items generously donated by local businesses, as well as perfume and skincare samples from Dillard’s and samples and hand massages provided by Terramé Salon and Day Spa.

This year’s Tie The Ribbons celebration was extended even further through a give-back shopping day at Dillard’s at Parkway Place Mall on November 8. Shoppers who checked out at a specially marked Tie The Ribbons register were able to have 10% of their total purchase donated to support HudsonAlpha’s breast and ovarian cancer program.

To support the Tie The Ribbons program at HudsonAlpha, make a donation online or contact foundation@hudsonalpha.org for more information.