Glimmer of Hope Gala Returns for its third Year

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island cast member Alicia Carmody with her mentee. Photo by Breanna Marie Photography.

When Ella Catherine Integlia was diagnosed with leukemia, her biggest fear after finding out she’d lose her hair was that she wasn’t going to look like her American Girl dolls anymore. The 11-year-old, with the help of her mother, began reaching out to American Girl and Mattel to track down a doll that looked like Ella during her treatment. After multiple attempts, Ella was eventually sent a doll that production had left bald, like Ella, who she named Hope. After 26 months of treatment Ella passed away in August of 2019, but her story left an impact on childhood friend, Alison Hornung.

Hornung, though 5 years older, had a tight knit relationship with Ella and eventually started the nonprofit Glimmer of Hope in her honor. The organization connects cancer patients with bald dolls, coordinates glamourous photoshoots to help patients forget their current struggles and puts together bereavement boxes for families who are grieving their child’s passing. The organizations mission is to keep Ella’s legacy alive.

“We just clicked and were like sisters. We had this really special bond and would call each other big sis and little sis,” says Hornung. “All of our programs are kind of centered around Ella’s wishes that she had when she was in treatment.”

Hornung and her team partner with local businesses to put on different events per year. Some events are on the smaller side like the Cornhole for Courage event, which is a fundraiser centered around cornhole that takes place at Safe Harbor Silver Spring. Others are much grander, like the Glimmer of Hope Gala. The gala, which is coming up on June 13, is in its third year and takes place at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Glimmer of Hope Founder Alison Hornung. Photo by Breanna Marie Photography.

The gala invites 50 boys and girls both in remission and still battling cancer to walk down a runway with their mentor and be celebrated all day. The mentor is someone selected to form a relationship with the child, meeting in person or Face Timing with the child at least three times before the event. Mentors this year include the cast of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Park Theater owner Ed Brady and Medici owner Suzy Ashworth, among others. The event has gone better than Hornung could ever imagine, especially after worrying making time for it would be too much on the already overwhelmed families.

“I didn’t know when I was planning this if it was going to be something that was fun for the families or if it was going to be a chore for them,” says Hornung. “I never wanted to stress them out but this has become their favorite event.”

The gala gives those struggling with something no child should a chance to forget their struggles and feel beautiful. Children get to pick out their outfits, go on a shopping spree and get glammed up on the big day. Day of there are vendors, a VIP cocktail hour and a pink carpet for the kids to pose for paparazzi shots and get interviewed. Young at Heart Studios will set up a whole barbie decor station and a live auction will invite attendees to bid on various prizes.

“The event not only gives the kids a chance to bond with other kids that are going through the same thing as them, but it also gives them confidence,” says Hornung. “They can lose that sense of self when they’re going through treatment and this event kind of gives them that power back with this incredible community around them.”

For tickets to the gala and to find out more about Glimmer of Hope visit their website here.