THE NO LAUGHING MATTER GALA RETURNS OCTOBER 22, 2026

No Laughing Matter Gala 2026 – Honoring Gretchen Scott 

We are excited to announce the return of our annual No Laughing Matter Fundraising Gala, taking place on October 22nd, 2026 at the exclusive New York Athletic Club. 

This signature evening brings together a sold-out community of approximately 300 guests from across finance, medicine, entertainment, media, fashion, real estate, and science—all united by a shared commitment to advancing cures for pediatric brain tumors. The event continues to be one of the most meaningful nights of the year for The Children’s Brain Tumor Project Foundation, fundraising to support groundbreaking research during an unforgettable evening of comedy. 

Since its inception in 2012 at Weill Cornell Medicine, The Children’s Brain Tumor Project has been dedicated to transforming outcomes for children diagnosed with brain tumors through advances in targeted therapy, drug delivery, and treatments designed to minimize toxicity while maximizing impact.  

This year’s gala holds special significance as we mark the 15th anniversary of Elizabeth’s Hope, the initiative that became the cornerstone for the creation of The Children’s Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell Medicine. Elizabeth’s legacy continues to guide and inspire our work, and this milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on how a single vision has grown into a sustained, global effort in pediatric neuro-oncology. 

We are especially honored to recognize designer Gretchen Scott as this year’s honoree. Gretchen has long held a meaningful connection to Elizabeth’s Hope, having created a charitable design in its early years in support of the mission after knowing Elizabeth personally. Her creativity, generosity, and early advocacy helped amplify awareness during the formative stages of this work, and her continued connection to this community reflects the enduring power of that relationship. 

Honoring Gretchen at this milestone event is both a celebration of her impact and a tribute to the broader community that has helped build this effort over the past 15 years. 

The No Laughing Matter Gala is known not only for its mission, but also for its unforgettable entertainment. Previous performers have included Jim Gaffigan, Jordan Klepper, Roy Wood Jr., Michael Kosta, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Freestyle Love Supreme,” with last year’s performance by Josh Johnson of The Daily Show bringing the house down. 

We are currently seeking table hosts, sponsors, and supporters to join us for this extraordinary evening. Your participation directly fuels the research efforts underway at Weill Cornell Medicine and helps accelerate progress for children and families affected by brain tumors. 

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a powerful and memorable night.