Ninth BrAva Mom Prom Raises $70,000 for Families Affected by Childhood Cancer, Research | News, sports, jobs

CureSearch Community Engagement Manager Val Elazegui, second from right, accepts a $30,000 donation from BrAva Fight committee members, from left: Desni Crock, Traci Nichols and Erin Roberts, during the 2024 BrAva Mom Prom on Friday. (Photo provided by Courtney Wentz)

MARIETTA – More than 500 women attended the ninth BrAva Mom Prom on Friday, raising more than $70,000 for childhood cancer awareness and research.

The sold-out, women-only fundraiser was put on by BrAva, a local nonprofit, at the Washington County Fairgrounds, and funding was raised through admission, raffle, neon signage, bar sales and donations from local businesses.

“We had a record year, (thanks) in large part to our gold sponsor, the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3665 in Beverly, and its cash donation of $15,000 to cover costs associated with this year’s event,” said Erin Roberts, vice president of BrAva. “With the help of other local businesses, who contributed nearly another $8,000 in donations and incredible raffle items, plus the amazing women who helped us sell out the event, we are well positioned to raise approximately $50,000 for local families and CureSearch, a national organization. organization that focuses exclusively on research into a cure for cancer in children.”

The event, complete with a DJ, emcee, lighting and decor, included a crowd dance, raffles and

the crowning of three Mom Prom Queens: local mothers who have a child affected by cancer, undergoing treatment or in remission, and the event’s first Mom Prom Princess,

Alicia Williams, center, of Zanesville, smiles after being crowned the first-ever BrAva Mom Prom Princess on Friday. Her mother, Misty, right, was one of the BrAva Mom Prom Queens of 2024. Traci Nichols, left, is president of BrAva Fight. (Photo provided by Courtney Wentz)

survivor Alicia Williams, of Zanesville.

The 2024 Mom Prom Queens honored were Tina Smith of Marietta; Courtney Shutts of Eleanor, W.Va.; and Misty Williams, of Zanesville.

“I had an amazing night and I feel so special to have been crowned the first BrAva Mom Prom Princess,” said Alicia Williams.

Her mother, one of the queens, said the evening was a testament to the support the couple have received from BrAva.

“We had a great time,” Misty Williams said. “The love and support we felt in the room was more than we could have asked for!”

The ninth BrAva Mom Prom was in full swing Friday, April 19, at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Marietta. The event raised $70,000 for childhood cancer families and research. (Photo provided by Courtney Wentz)

During the event, BrAva also donated $30,000 to CureSearch, the largest donation ever to the organization. Val Elazegui, Community Engagement Manager of CureSearch,

traveled from Kansas City, Missouri, to attend the event, which she called a must for everyone alive

within a few hours of Marietta.

“My favorite part of the evening was definitely the coronation,” Elazegui said. “It was such an honor to hear the stories of this year’s queens and witness the incredible support these women receive from their communities. You could feel the love in the room, and it was nothing short of incredible!”

In addition to FOE 3665 Beverly, there were more than a dozen other major sponsors for the event, and more than 100 additional sponsors contributed to support the event, raffle and swag items.

“Every year, with the support of so many, we are able to create this incredible event,” said Traci Nichols, president of BrAva. “We couldn’t do this without the continued support and enthusiasm of our attendees, the work of the committee and subcommittee, and our generous sponsors. It is such an honor to live in this small but mighty community!”

Gold carpet photo areas with event backdrops were also available for guests, and photos will be available soon on the event Facebook page.

BrAva is a nonprofit organization that has donated nearly $600,000 to local families and CureSearch.

The name is a combination of Bridget Crock and Ava Nichols, two local girls who faced the challenges of childhood cancer. BrAva accepts donations year-round by mail at PO Box 535, Marietta, OH 45750 or online, via PayPal.

More information is available online at www.bravacares.com.

The BrAva Mom Prom 2025 will take place on Friday, April 18, 2025. Tickets go on sale early

March, with additional information at www.bravamomprom.com.