This event begins with a Survivors Reception at 5:15 pm. The gala follows immediately after this reception. The gala includes hors d'ouevres, drinks, dinner, education program and live and silent auctions. The “Breath of Hope Ohio” Gala was initiated by Sandy and Mark Lomeo after Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2014. They were surprised to discover the lack of funding for lung cancer as compared to many other types of cancer. They decided to raise money by having a dinner gala. They formed a steering committee (created by Annie Cacciato) to advance their cause. Fundraising efforts from the event support “Blue Beautiful Skies” Fund to directly benefit the Thoracic Oncology Department at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) for awareness, research, new treatments, and hopefully a cure. Presently, lung cancer has a dismal survival rate. It kills more people per year than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined. In fact, lung cancer kills twice as many women as breast cancer. Given the poor survival rates of lung cancer, your help is needed. Please, support “Breath of Hope Ohio” and its mission by donating an item for our auction. Registration is required -- go.osu.edu/breathofhopeohio2026. Dress code: is business casual

Breath of Hope Ohio is a program of The Ohio State University dedicated to bringing hope to the men and women diagnosed with lung cancer every day and to raise funds to support the innovative research necessary for a cure. Contributions to support Breath of Hope Ohio are made to the Thoracic Oncology Program at The Ohio State University Foundation for the benefit of The Ohio State University.