Over 1,100 people attended the event to raise funds for HudsonAlpha’s breast and ovarian cancer research, and the Information is Power initiative

A special thank you to Presenting Sponsor Rosie’s Mexican Cantina for supporting Tie The Ribbons for the last nine years! We are grateful to our Founding Sponsors, Cindy H. Jackson and Synovus Bank, our Breakthrough Sponsors, Alabama Media Group and HKSC foundation, and Impact Sponsors, Century Automotive, Cindy and Ron Gray, and Madison County Medical Society. A big thank you to our Media Sponsor, Mix 96.9, and to all of our Gold and Pink & Teal Sponsors.

On October 12, the HudsonAlpha Foundation’s annual Tie The Ribbons luncheon brought together over 1,100 cancer survivors, physicians, researchers, business leaders, members of the community, and local elected officials in the fight against breast and ovarian cancer.

For 15 years, Tie The Ribbons has supported HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s scientific research to improve cancer diagnostics and treatment, fuel the Information is Power cancer risk genetic testing initiative, and honor women who have survived or are battling cancer. 

Held at the newly renovated Saturn Ballroom at the Von Braun Center, this year’s event exceeded the day-of fundraising goal of $20,000. Combined with other funds raised in support of Tie The Ribbons, the luncheon raised nearly $200,000.

Dr. Mary-Claire King, the scientist who discovered the BRCA genes that signal an elevated genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancer, was this year’s special guest speaker. During her talk, Dr. King shared about groundbreaking new treatments for breast and ovarian cancer that would not have been possible without her discovery and stressed the importance of genetic testing to know your cancer risk.

This year marked Dr. King’s second visit to Tie The Ribbons. She first spoke at Tie The Ribbons in 2014, when she challenged HudsonAlpha to make cancer genetic testing more accessible. Out of Dr. King’s challenge, Information is Power was born. With the help of private philanthropy and regional healthcare partnerships, more than 6,000 people have participated in Information is Power, and more than 250 have received results of an increased risk for cancer. Out of those 250, more than 50% had no family history of cancer.

“Information is Power is one of the most efficient and comprehensive programs for cancer risk genetic testing in the nation,” said Dr. King. “Early diagnosis is crucial to treating breast and ovarian cancer and greatly increases the likelihood of survival. Man or woman, every young person should get tested.”

In addition to video testimonials of breast and ovarian cancer survivors and Information is Power participants, speakers included emcee Pammie Jimmar, a breast cancer survivor herself, Dr. Neil Lamb, HudsonAlpha President, Dr. Rick Myers, HudsonAlpha Chief Scientific Officer, and Dr. Sara Cooper, HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator who spearheads the Institute’s breast and ovarian cancer research program.

Those at the event also participated in a silent auction, shopped from Personal Couture, a local clothing boutique that donated a portion of their proceeds to HudsonAlpha, and made donations to directly support HudsonAlpha’s cancer research programs.

You can support HudsonAlpha’s Tie The Ribbons program by visiting this link.