Alex’s Team Celebrates 10 Years of Spirit Ball and Raises Record Support for Kids Fighting Cancer
Alex’s Team Celebrates 10 Years of Spirit Ball and Raises Record Support for Kids Fighting Cancer
We’re still buzzing from the 10th Annual Spirit Ball — our biggest celebration yet. More than 500 guests filled The State Room in downtown Boston for a night of community, purpose, and powerful momentum in the fight against childhood cancer. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we raised essential funds that will directly support children, families, and the care teams who walk beside them every day.
This milestone year made one thing clear: our community is stronger and more committed than ever — from those who have stood beside us year after year, to the many new faces who joined us for the first time. We are deeply grateful for every person who showed up to carry Alex’s spirit forward.
Spotlight Moments of the Night
Seba’s Story: The Heart of the Evening
One of the most powerful moments of the night came through the story of Seba Obi-Tabot, a two-year old cancer survivor, and his extraordinary family. Their courage, love, and unwavering determination moved the entire room. Sharing Seba’s journey — and the strength of the Obi-Tabot family — reminded us why this work matters and why we fight for better outcomes, better care, and better days for kids everywhere. Their presence was a gift, and a highlight of the entire celebration.
A Room Filled with Heroes
This year, we emphasized the power of partnership and the people who make our mission possible.
More than 50 healthcare heroes joined us, including nearly 30 nurses from the 6th floor at Boston Children’s Hospital, whose compassion and expertise bring comfort and critical care to children and families fighting cancer every single day. We were also honored to welcome Dr. Walensky and members of the Walensky Laboratory, whose groundbreaking research is shaping the future of pediatric cancer care.
These are the people on the front lines — and the very people Alex’s Team is committed to supporting time and time again.
The Power of Partnerships: A Coast-to-Coast Impact
Our work continues to grow, strengthened by trusted partners who share our mission of supporting children and families in need access the care, resources, and support they deserve.
We were thrilled to welcome Maria Burk of the Riley Children’s Foundation, representing our first national expansion through a partnership with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. This marks a defining moment for Alex’s Team, expanding our reach from Boston to the Midwest and beyond as we bring more programs, connection, and support to families nationwide.
We were also proud to celebrate many of our program partners, including Grady’s Gifts, Zach’s Bridge, and WeGotThis.org — organizations that bring empathy, stability, and joy to families navigating unimaginable challenges. We’re excited to share with you the impacts of some of these partnerships in the coming months.
A very special thank-you goes to the Manupelli Family, represented by Hank Kezer and Laura Hodgin. The extraordinary gift of their family estate will allow Alex’s Team to expand its impact for years to come. The Manupelli Family’s generosity is transformational, and we are deeply grateful.
Celebrating Champions Among Us: Honoring Kelley Basso
A standout moment of the night was the celebration of Kelley Basso, whose strength, perseverance, and compassion inspire everyone around her. A patient survivor and now a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner, Kelley brings unmatched heart and dedication to the children and families she serves. Last year, she raised an incredible $20,000+ for Alex’s Team through Haymakers for Hope, turning her personal journey into meaningful impact for others.
Kelley was honored with the foundation’s annual Caring, Courage, and Commitment Award, presented in the form of a championship belt — a symbol of resilience and the fighting spirit she embodies every day.
Joining Arianna on stage to present Kelley with the belt was Elissa Kalver, a Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer thriver and CEO and Founder of WeGotThis.org, the first non-profit gift registry for cancer patients. A longtime friend and teammate of Arianna and the Miliotis Family, Elissa has grown into a valued partner of Alex’s Team. This year, together, they have spread hope, joy, support — and championship belts — throughout the cancer community, reflecting a shared mission to uplift families navigating challenging journeys.
The presentation captured the true spirit of the evening: honoring those who give so much of themselves and celebrating the heroes whose stories inspire us all to keep moving forward.
A Decade of Spirit and a Future of Impact
Ten years of Spirit Ball have shown us what is possible when a community comes together with purpose. We carry forward Alex’s spirit, honor those we’ve lost, and stand beside every family still fighting.
We are growing, expanding, and strengthening our mission — and with your continued support and the dedication of our remarkable partners, we look forward to building an even greater impact in 2026 and beyond.
The fight is never over. And together, we will keep moving forward.
