Last month, the Colon Cancer Alliance hosted its seventh annual Blue Hope Bash at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium. Here, Marsha Nelms Muawwad joins Regan Huneycutt and Charrisse Jackson Jordan. The Blue Hope Bash is the premier fundraising gala of the Colon Cancer Alliance, which brings together both individuals and corporations that are passionate about ending colon cancer.

Since the event’s inception in 2010, Blue Hope Bash has raised more than $5M for colorectal cancer research. Here, Kenley Erskine joins Doni and Terry Kanka and Stephen Estrada during the reception.

The theme this year was “In This Together,” in which NBC’s "Weekend Today Show" co-anchor Craig Melvin carried the theme in emceeing the event and sharing his own connection with the disease; his brother Lawrence was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Here, Amy Knapp joins Amy and Joe Frick and Colon Cancer Alliance CEO Michael Sapienza.

The evening also announced the launch of the Michelle Benaim Memorial Fund. Michelle and her husband, Avi, were the co-chairs of the Blue Hope Bash. Michelle Benaim was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2015 and passed away Sept. 30 at the age of 49. The Michelle Benaim Memorial Fund will be used to increase screening for the under-50 population and provide assistance to underserved populations who are impacted by colorectal cancer. Here, John and Caren Backus with evening co-host Avi Benaim and Nicole Sheahan.