Special Love’s Annual Gala

The Special Love Annual Gala will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner, VA. Deal the cards and share the love! We will be bringing back a Casino Night to support Special Love’s mission of creating moments where kids with cancer can just be kids and where their whole family is also supported through the journey.

Interested in supporting us with a sponsorship? Click here!
Questions? Reach out to Kelly Traynor at ktraynor@specialove.org 
Read about the 2025 gala here.

Special Love's Annual Gala 

Evening Emcee

Chuck Bell
NBC4 Meteorologist & Special Love Board Member

2026 Gala Committee

Margaret Bessette Gala Chair

Nicole Blocker

Eric Cole

Ken Dodelin

Monica Hanson

Julie Judy

Shannon Moore

Lisa Schmidt

Melissa Steele

2026 Gala Honoree

Randy Schools Light of Love Awardee – Mary Prosser (MP) Brock Zimmerman

2025 Sponsors:

Diamond Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Raghavan / Ramachandran Family

Silver Sponsors

Lee Weiner

Bronze Sponsors

Barry & Michaela Creech
Andy East & Becky Varni
Janet & Everett Eissenstat