Gala Design & Donor Engagement: Making LCRF’s Mission Tangible
LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY
CIPRIANI, NEW YORK
EVENT VISION & STRATEGY
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s 2026 Gala brought together supporters, researchers, advocates, survivors, and families for an evening dedicated to accelerating progress in lung cancer research. This year’s event placed a special spotlight on women: the women living with lung cancer, the women we remember, the women caring for patients, and the scientists working toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
Hudson & Nine worked collaboratively with the LCRF team to bring a clear objective to life: create an experience that made the organization’s mission and the progress being made in lung cancer research tangible for every guest in the room.. Through immersive storytelling, experiential education, thoughtful branding, and elevated event design, we transformed Cipriani in NYC, into an environment that celebrated how far research has come while reinforcing why continued support matters.
EXPERIENCE DESIGN & VISUAL STORYTELLING
MAKING COMPLEX SCIENCE ACCESSIBLE
Research is at the heart of LCRF’s mission, but the science behind new discoveries, treatments, and advances in care can be complex. We brought that work to life through an experiential educational installation that made LCRF’s research, progress, and impact tangible for guests. A timeline guided donors through two decades of research investments and the advances they helped make possible, translating scientific milestones into clear, visual storytelling. Portrait walls celebrated women living with lung cancer, honored women we remember, and highlighted the clinicians and researchers working toward a cure. Together, these elements connected the science with the people behind the mission, giving donors a clearer understanding of what their support makes possible.
BRINGING THE LCRF BRAND TO LIFE
The visual transformation of Cipriani was intentionally rooted in LCRF’s identity. Rich blue drapery, custom scenic elements, branded graphics, and carefully placed blue floral details carried the organization’s signature color throughout the historic venue. Every detail worked together to make the space unmistakably LCRF while allowing the architecture of Cipriani to remain part of the experience. The result was an elegant, cohesive setting that felt celebratory and kept the organization and its mission at the center of the evening.
THE DONOR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY
INSPIRING GENEROSITY THROUGH DESIGN
For Hudson & Nine, every touchpoint is an opportunity to deepen guests’ connection to the mission and inspire generosity. At LCRF’s gala, we carried that purpose throughout the evening—from a timeline installation illustrating two decades of research investment to inspiring calls to action on each table and mission-focused storytelling within the program. Towering 47-foot projections brought custom motion graphics and portraits of the women at the heart of LCRF’s mission into view on a larger-than-life scale. Together, these elements created a cohesive donor journey, connecting research progress with personal stories and reinforcing what continued support could make possible. Throughout the evening, these touchpoints helped guests connect with LCRF’s mission and understand how their generosity could help advance the next chapter of lung cancer research.
AN EVENING DESIGNED AROUND IMPACT
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation Gala demonstrated what can happen when storytelling, education, brand, and event design work together. The evening celebrated extraordinary women, honored those affected by lung cancer, highlighted the scientists driving research forward, and gave supporters a clearer view of the progress their generosity helps make possible.
For Hudson & Nine, mission-driven event design brings purpose to life—helping guests understand why the work matters and inspiring them to be part of what comes next.