By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
The Giving Hope Gala returned for its second year Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Emerald Queen Casino Event Center in Tacoma, bringing in a total of $676,000 to benefit the Salish Cancer Center’s Patient Financial Assistance Fund, eclipsing last year’s total of $532,000.
The event was held to raise money for patients of the Salish Cancer Center, the first Tribe-owned facility of its kind in the United States when it opened in 2015, serving both Native and non-Native patients alike.
It has provided the community with access to prompt, state-of-the-art, up-to-date cancer treatment which includes chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and also naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and traditional Native healer services.
The $676,000 raised from the event will help ease the financial burden associated with cancer treatment for patients and families of the Salish Cancer Center.
Headed by Puyallup Tribal Councilwoman Monica Miller, the fundraiser’s highlights included auctions, music, Puyallup Tribal culture, fine dining and inspiring stories.
“The 2024 Giving Hope Gala is really exciting. Last year was our first year doing it, and we barely knew what we were doing, but we did good,” Miller said. “This year, we knew a little bit more with what we were doing. It’s a lot of work to put this together, and it’s amazing. All the work we did was worth it for these patients – giving them all this love and support is amazing.”
The Puyallup Tribe established Salish Cancer Center in April 2015 with the vision to provide integrative cancer care to all cancer patients in the community. The assistance fund exists to relieve some of the financial burden of patients who find themselves in distress due to the costs of treatment.
The event center of the casino was set up for the black-tie affair with elegant lighting, table settings and displays throughout.
An ice sculpture at the appetizer table as large as a person caught the eyes of everyone as soon as they walked into the room. Created by Emerald Queen Casino Food and Beverage Director James Chan, the artwork featured a pink ribbon and EQC logo. Sugar sculptures were also an eye-catcher for attendees.
Chan was one of many people Miller wanted to recognize for their help in making sure the gala was a resounding success.
“All the gifts, donations and everything where everybody came together, I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart because this means a lot – it means they care about people with cancer,” Miller said. “I want to thank all the sponsors, the volunteers that helped. I want to thank Mary Byrne and Sally Glover – they were a big help, they’re from the South Sound CARE Foundation. Everyone that set the tables and centerpieces I want to thank – Vernetta Miller, Judy LeGarde and Linda Dillon – they did amazing work. They made all of these from scratch. Everyone that participated, everyone that sponsored, everyone that donated, I want to say thank you very much from the Puyallup Tribe and Puyallup Tribal Council.”
Councilwoman Miller also wanted to thank auctioneer Jeff Randle, Jeff McVicker, the Daffodilians for selling YETI tumblers, Chester Earl and the Tribe’s Events Department staff, Emerald Queen Casino CEO Yale Rowe and all of the EQC staff, Jason Wrolson, the Culture Department’s drummers and dancers, the Tribe’s Communications Department and Michelle Bonds for taking photos, Heritage Division Manager Connie McCloud for sharing the opening prayer and all elected officials and politicians who took time to attend the event.
“This event was phenomenal and it couldn’t have been that way without all of you. Thank you so much,” Miller said.
The Culture Department performed traditional songs and dances for the room before McCloud shared an opening prayer before dinner was served.
“There are stories that our people lived in abundance and lived well,” McCloud said. “We continue to work with our people to be healthy and to be well. Tonight, you’re supporting the wellness of our people.”
While the room was buzzing as soon as guests began to arrive during the silent auction, the live auction brought out the best energy in everyone.
Live auction items included suites at Seattle Seahawks, Kraken and Sounders games, a pair of snowboards with gear, 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets, trips to Canada on Kenmore Air flights, a trip for 10 to Walla Walla by private jet for wine tastings, and an exclusive dinner for eight at Woven Seafood & Chophouse prepared by chef Roy Yamaguchi himself.
All seven members of Puyallup Tribal Council briefly took the stage with Chairman Bill Sterud sharing remarks with the room.
“We’re treating patients, taking care of patients, taking care of adults and Elders, it’s really an exciting time for us to see you guys here, and I’m hoping you feel good in your heart because you should,” Sterud said. “You’re making a difference. There’s a lot of people that need a little help. We all know people with cancer and we all want to help them. This is one way for you to help them. This money will go to those patients who can’t pay, and there’s a lot of them.”
Time was also taken to recognize Byrne, who emceed the event and helped plan behind the scenes for the second consecutive year.
Salish Cancer Center Medical Director Stanlee Lu shared his experiences with patients at the cancer center and the impact the money raised would have on them.
“The major barrier to cancer care is cost. That continues to be a major problem,” he said. “So much research has been done that has resulted in major breakthroughs that allow us to have these wonderful treatments, but I ask, what good are these treatments for if not everybody can access it? It is not uncommon for me to have patients walk away from potentially life-saving treatment because they simply cannot afford it. That is devastating. … I’m asking each and every one of you here tonight to join me and help me. Let’s give these patients a fighting chance – let’s give them hope.”
Following Dr. Lu’s remarks, a video was shown featuring patients and patients’ family members talking about the care they or their loved ones received at Salish Cancer Center and how the Patient Financial Assistance Fund helped them.
One of the inspiring moments of the evening was the “Fund a Need” portion of the event, where guests weren’t bidding on lavish experiences or hot-ticket items, but donating directly to the cause.
Live music closed out the event as attendees took the dance floor in celebration of supporting the Salish Cancer Center’s Patient Financial Assistance Fund.
Save the date for next year’s gala: Dec. 13, 2025.
