LBBC’s Butterfly Ball: Celebrating 35 years of impact

This year’s celebration marked a special milestone: 35 years of providing trusted information, connection, and support to people impacted by breast cancer. Beneath the soaring ceilings of the museum’s Hamilton Hall, guests enjoyed an elegant evening surrounded by colorful displays, vibrant pink and turquoise lighting, and the museum’s playful exhibits. Together, attendees raised $876,000 to support LBBC’s mission.

Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP, LBBC’s CEO, hosted the 2026 Butterfly Ball, celebrating individuals and organizations whose advocacy, leadership, and generosity are making a difference in the breast cancer community. This year’s honorees included patient advocates creating resources and opportunities for others, a young woman using her platform to amplify overlooked experiences, a law firm providing years of dedicated service, and student-athletes turning personal loss into lasting community impact.

Honoring advocates who go beyond

The Donna Noce Colaco Going Beyond Award recognizes individuals whose work makes a meaningful difference in their neighborhoods, communities, healthcare systems, and research institutions. This year, LBBC honored two advocates who have transformed their personal experiences with breast cancer into resources and support for others.

Amelia O’Relly, founder of How to Breast Cancer, received the award for her work making breast cancer information more accessible and easier to navigate. Following her diagnosis in 2019, Amelia recognized that patients and caregivers needed a centralized resource offering practical guidance from people who understood the experience firsthand. She launched How to Breast Cancer in 2021 to provide tools and information grounded in lived experience. Amelia also serves on LBBC’s Board of Directors, bringing her perspective as a patient and advocate to the organization’s work.

Marissa Thomas, BSHCA, co-founder and CEO of For the Breast of Us, was recognized for her commitment to supporting women of color affected by breast cancer. Diagnosed with stage II breast cancer at age 35, Marissa participated in LBBC’s Young Advocate Program before expanding her advocacy through For the Breast of Us, a national nonprofit focused on education, advocacy, and community. She also serves on LBBC’s Black Breast Cancer Advisory Council, helping ensure that the experiences and needs of women of color remain central to conversations about breast cancer care and survivorship.

Celebrating resilience, service, and community leadership

The Phoenix Award went to Miranda McKeon, an actress, content creator, and breast cancer advocate diagnosed with stage III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer at 19 years old. Known for her role in Anne with an E, Miranda has used her public platform to challenge misconceptions about who can develop breast cancer. Through candid conversations about treatment, body image, reconstruction, and survivorship, including her podcast Pink 365, she has helped bring visibility to the experiences of young adults facing breast cancer and encouraged others to advocate for their health.

Duane Morris LLP received the Andrea and Abraham Morris Impact Award, recognizing the law firm’s longstanding commitment to LBBC. Since 2013, Duane Morris attorneys have provided pro bono legal counsel that has helped LBBC strengthen its operations, build strategic partnerships, and expand its reach. The award celebrates the firm’s years of service, and the important role professional partnerships play in sustaining LBBC’s mission.

The Community Vision Award honored Lilly Bolen and the Tufts University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for their extraordinary fundraising and community-building efforts. After losing her mother, Lauren Bolen, a former LBBC board member, Lilly launched Play for Pink as a sophomore basketball player at Tufts University. With the support of SAAC and fellow student-athletes, the initiative grew into the most successful athletics fundraiser in university history, raising nearly $160,000 for LBBC and engaging thousands of students and community members.

Left: LBBC board chair Gina Range, Melanie Clark, and guests at the Butterfly Wishes stand. Center: Roberta “Bobbi” Albany and Jenny Burkholder. Right: Miranda McKeon and Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, FASCO.

An evening of celebration and generosity

Beyond the awards, the Butterfly Ball gave guests an opportunity to celebrate LBBC’s 35-year history while investing in its future. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auctions, and dancing. The museum provided a memorable backdrop, with its illuminated grand hall, colorful exhibits, and carousel adding even more fun and wonder to the black-tie-optional affair.

The evening was made possible by the generosity of LBBC’s supporters, sponsors, and event co-chairs: Marisa and Matt Berman, Kristen Foote, Amanda and Vi Nguyen, Katie Rabinowitz, and Amanda and Ryan Wilk.

As LBBC looks toward its next 35 years, the 2026 Butterfly Ball offered a powerful reminder of what makes its work possible: people who turn their experiences, expertise, and generosity into meaningful support for others. Thanks to everyone who attended, contributed, and helped make this year’s celebration a success.

Event highlights

Explore photos from the 2026 Butterfly Ball in our photo album.

Marissa Thomas and guests.