Got Hope Gala to go virtual this year

Last year’s Got Hope Gala raised $1.2 million to help children fighting cancer at Chicago area hospitals.

This year’s Got Hope Gala, in its 15th year, will look different because of the pandemic. For the first time in the history of the event, the gala will be virtual, and will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27.

“We’re trying to make the best out of it and trying to have a good attitude about it,” Cal’s Angels president and co-founder Stacey Wahlberg said. “The best part about it is it’s not sold out. Normally, we sell out four months in advance, and we have to cap it at 1,000 people. And that’s not the case this year. The fundraising opportunities are endless. That is exciting. Anyone, anywhere can join in and learn about what we do, and then, of course, hopefully feel inspired to make a donation.”

Since 2007, the St. Charles-based nonprofit group Cal’s Angels has raised more than $13 million to support pediatric cancer programs, including research to help find new cures and treatments. The group was founded in 2007 after Wahlberg’s son, Cal Sutter, a South Elgin Little League all-star, lost his battle with acute myelogenous leukemia at the age of 13.

The group’s mission is to grant wishes, raise awareness and fund research to help kids fighting cancer. Wahlberg said only 4% of what the government spends annually on cancer research is directed toward treating childhood cancer.

Tickets to the Got Hope Gala cost $50 each and are available at the Cal’s Angels website, calsangels.org.

The Got Hope Gala will begin at 7 p.m. with a happy hour reception. It also will feature a live auction, raffles and a live performance from Chicago-based band Prizefighter.

A signed Michael Jordan Bulls jersey is one of the many auction items.

The event ends at 9 p.m., and the auction will end at 10 p.m.

The presenting sponsor for this year’s Got Hope Gala is Lexus.