Congressmen, Journos Pledge ‘Hope’ At Inaugural Chris4Life Blue Hope Bash!

NORTHWEST -- Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK) and Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) were but two of the VIPs in attendance last night at the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation’s inaugural gala, titled the ‘Blue Hope Bash’.

The nonprofit’s mission is to raise money for colon cancer research, patient treatment and care, and awareness and was established in memory of Christine Sapienza, the mother of Michael Sapienza, who founded the organization with family and friends in 2009.

And with colon cancer being the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world (the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 7%), it’s no wonder that Wednesday night’s “hope”-themed celebration was flooded with support and quickly sold-out.

Joining Congressman Boren, who presented the keynote address at the White House-adjacent Decatur House, was evening emcee and ABC 7 health reporter Jennifer Donelan, WTOP News Morning Drive Editor Michael Jakaitis (a colon cancer survivor himself), reality show star Michelle Money (who recently lost her father to the disease) from ABC’s “The Bachelor Pad”, and AOL co-founder Jim Kimsey, among hundreds of others.

While unable to attend in-person, ABC 7’s iconic entertainment reporter Arch Campbell delivered a pre-recorded message of support for the crowd, playfully concluding with the reminder to “please eat your vegetables.”

Guests were treated to signature cocktails, an elegant, tented dinner, a silent auction, and an entertaining after party, which featured a live concert by popular blues singer/songwriter Ted Garber.

The funds raised from each $150-$200 ticket will be used to support patient, treatment, and care programs, cutting-edge research, and general colorectal marketing awareness campaigns.

A good example of hope truly springing eternal!