Meet the runners who will be representing Expect Miracles Foundation and raising funds for our mission at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on November 1.
Foundation Sponsor
SAMFund Soirée Manhattan 2025
An Inspiring Night Raises $41,000 for Survivors
Expect Miracles Foundation [EMF] hosted the first SAMFund Soirée Manhattan on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at GH on the Park. The evening brought together SAMFund grant recipients, young professionals, and philanthropic leaders for an inspiring celebration of hope and community in support of young adult cancer survivors rebuilding their lives after treatment.
Anchored by moving survivor stories, the Soirée embodied gratitude, generosity, and a unifying purpose to make a difference. Luci Strauss Garren (EMF Board Member, Goldman Sachs) and Nick Cortese (New York YPEM Vice President, Morgan Stanley) co-chaired the inaugural Soirée, a milestone event highlighting EMF’s expanding impact in New York City.
Stories That Inspire Action
A heartfelt moment from the evening came from BrittLee, a SAMFund grant recipient who shared her transformative journey through recovery. She spoke about how receiving a SAMFund Grant brought light during a dark time, providing the stability and hope she needed to pursue her dream of starting a family. Her story captured the essence of what the SAMFund stands for: Surviving and Moving Forward.
Honoring the O’Brien Family
Champions for Young Adult Cancer Survivors
The Soirée celebrated those whose impact resonates far and wide. Frank Heavey, EMF’s Executive Director, awarded the Mary Keenan Award to the Megan O’Brien, Maureen O’Brien, and Colleen O’Brien of the William Gross Charitable Foundation, acknowledging their enduring support of young adult cancer survivors through EMF’s SAMFund grant program.
A Community That Gives Hope
Thanks to the incredible generosity of attendees, over $41,000 was raised in the evening’s donation appeal. These funds will support SAMFund grants and become life-changing resources for survivors facing financial hardship.
Thank you to all who joined us for this special evening. Your presence and support are helping young adults pursue their dreams and move confidently beyond cancer. Together, we are proving that hope met with action can change everything.
Due to the high costs associated with treatment and survivorship, young adults experience financial toxicity at a greater level than any other age group. SAMFund grants help to alleviate the financial burden resulting from cancer treatment. Thank you to donors for supporting EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program. Because of your generosity, we are helping young adult cancer survivors build bridges to help them get where they were intended to go before cancer disrupted their lives.
About YPEM
Young Professional Expect Miracles [YPEM] is a group of the next generation of financial executives (ages 21-39) who are dedicated to advancing the fight against cancer. Members include rising leaders and professionals in the industry who are committed to rallying the financial community and beyond to support the mission of EMF. With cohorts in Boston and New York City, YPEM provides volunteer opportunities and hosts fundraisers and networking events (both virtual and in person) to bring the young financial community together to make a positive impact in the cancer community.
Please contact EMF’s Events and Marketing Coordinator Lauren Beimler to learn more about Young Professionals Expect Miracles [YPEM] at lbeimler@expectmiraclesfoundation.org.
Make Miracles
Join us in the fight against cancer and be part of the community that is making miracles happen today. Your donation is an investment in our Innovation and Discovery Funds, which invests in life-saving cancer research, and EMF’s SAMFund, which provides financial assistance for young adult cancer survivors.
Invest in Hope
Corporate sponsors lead our life-saving mission and gain access to influential business networking opportunities at EMF events, which range from galas to golf tournaments and more. As a sponsor you can cultivate relationships in the financial services industry while having a life-changing impact on the cancer community.