The Children’s Inn at NIH Celebrates Hope, Innovation and Community at 12th Annual “Evening for Hope” Gala
Inaugural Tower of Hope Award recognizes leadership and impact
BETHESDA, Md. – April 16, 2026 – The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health will host its 12th annual Evening for Hope Gala on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Washington. The event is The Inn’s largest annual fundraiser and will bring together nearly 600 guests, including senior government officials and executives from leading companies, in support of pediatric medical research.
The Inn is a nonprofit partner to the NIH, providing lodging and supportive services at no cost to families with children participating in pediatric research and receiving treatment at the NIH Clinical Center. Each year, an average of 1,500 families stay at The Inn while undergoing lifesaving treatment and contributing to medical discoveries.
“Behind every medical breakthrough is a family navigating uncertainty, fear, and hope all at once,” said Jennie Lucca, CEO of The Children’s Inn at NIH. “Families come to NIH in pursuit of a brighter future and stay at The Inn, where they find the comfort, care, and community that make that pursuit possible. Together, this creates a powerful multiplier effect—advancing medical discoveries that bring hope to countless others. None of this is possible without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers.”
This year’s program will feature the story of Lincoln, a 5-year-old from Glendale, Arizona, living with Loey Dietz Syndrome (LDS), a rare connective tissue disorder, and Ana, a young patient from Costa Rica who has faced multiple forms of leukemia. Both receive care through the NIH Clinical Center while contributing to ongoing research. During their visits, The Inn provides comfort, community, and a place for patients and their families to feel at home.
The evening will mark the presentation of the inaugural Tower of Hope Award, The Inn’s highest annual honor recognizing an individual, organization, or partner whose leadership and compassion have advanced its mission.
The program will include remarks by NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. Tony Perkins, two-time Emmy Award winner and NBC News4 anchor, will return as emcee, alongside auctioneer Billy Harris, who will lead the live auction with his signature energy and charisma.
Guests can expect a cocktail reception, dinner, raffle, silent and live auctions, and an after-party. Musical entertainment by the Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education (FAME) will accompany the main program.
For more information about the event, sponsorships, and how to donate, please visit the event page. Follow The Inn on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Spread the word by engaging with #EveningforHope on social media.
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About The Children’s Inn at NIH
The Children’s Inn at NIH is a private, nonprofit “place like home” for children and their families participating in pediatric research at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, the world’s premier biomedical research hospital. The Inn reduces the burden of illness through therapeutic, educational, and recreational programming – all at no cost to the families. As a partner in discovery and care with the NIH, The Inn strives for the day when no family endures the heartbreak of a seriously ill child. For more information about The Children’s Inn at NIH, please visit childrensinn.org.