Thursday, October 30, 2025
The historic halls of the National Building Museum came alive on October 25 with hope, inspiration, and purpose at the annual Blue Hope
Bash. This highly anticipated event was dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, which promotes research and patient support.
The evening was marked by a star-studded celebration honoring two remarkable media personalities: Craig Melvin, Co-Anchor of The Today Show, and his wife, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak. Their dedication to raising awareness about colorectal
cancer, coupled with their advocacy for healthy living and early detection, made them the perfect recipients of this year’s honors.
Lindsay Czarniak, Craig Melvin and others. Photo courtesy Blue Hope Bash.
The gala drew a diverse crowd of philanthropists, healthcare professionals, celebrities, and supporters committed to making a difference in the fight against colorectal cancer. Guests enjoyed a sophisticated evening featuring gourmet dining, live entertainment, and heartfelt testimonials from survivors and their families.
In his acceptance speech, Craig Melvin expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to the cause: “This disease has touched many lives, including my own family,” he said. “I’m honored to stand here tonight and continue the fight for awareness,
early detection, and ultimately, a cure.”
Lindsay Czarniak also shared her perspective, emphasizing the importance of community and proactive health measures: “We hope our story encourages others to prioritize their health and get screened,” she said. “Early detection saves lives.”
The Blue Hope Bash was held at the National Building Museum this year. Photo courtesy Blue Hope Bash.
Alliance CEO Michael Sapienza spoke about the “Colorectal Cancer Project Cure,” which focuses on identifying new technologies to address patient cancer eradication and care. The event, co-chaired by philanthropists Cory and Cayley Tull, successfully raised significant funds to support colorectal cancer research, patient assistance programs and outreach initiatives aimed at educating the public about risk factors and screening options.
As the evening program ended and the afterparty began, attendees felt inspired and motivated to continue the fight against colorectal cancer, united by the hope that one day, this disease will be eradicated.