The Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s 2026 Gala has raised more than any previous event, making it the organisation’s most successful fundraising evening to date.
Held on 3 October at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the Gala brought together 650 survivors, thrivers, supporters, sponsors and friends from across the Cayman Islands for an unforgettable evening of generosity, celebration and community.
The room was awash with pink, with playful touches of yellow and lemons throughout the evening as the Foundation welcomed Dr Corrine Beaumont, founder of Know Your Lemons, as its special guest speaker.
Dr Beaumont’s presence was particularly significant for the Foundation, which is a proud partner of Know Your Lemons and has trained its entire team as Lemonistas. Know Your Lemons is helping to change the conversation around breast health and early detection by making potentially life-saving information accessible, memorable and empowering.
For the Foundation, this work is closely aligned with its growing focus on early detection and education, ensuring that people in Cayman understand their breasts, recognise changes and know when to seek medical advice.
“Having Corrine with us was about so much more than having a wonderful guest speaker at our Gala,” said Beverly Edgington, Chief Operating Officer of the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. “Our responsibility is to support people not only after a diagnosis, but before it – through education, early detection and access to the right care. Know Your Lemons gives us another incredibly powerful tool to help people take ownership of their breast health. We were delighted to bring Corrine’s message to Cayman and to have her experience the incredible community that supports our work.”
The evening was expertly guided by MC and auctioneer Vicki Wheaton, who kept the evening moving seamlessly while presiding over some extraordinary and, at times, frantic bidding.
Guests competed enthusiastically for an impressive selection of auction lots, with particular excitement surrounding a membership generously donated by Meraki Spa and a privately curated dining experience at The Residency Kitchen at Palm Heights. The newly launched Murder Mystery Experience from Butterfly Theatre Arts was another highlight, adding an entirely new dimension to the auction offering.
There was also a distinctly Caymanian moment when Premier André Ebanks and Deputy Premier Gary Rutty volunteered themselves for auction, offering guests the opportunity to play pickleball against the country’s leaders.
The room erupted, with bidding quickly gathering momentum. Both the Premier and Deputy Premier graciously agreed to play twice, leaving two very happy winning bidders with what will undoubtedly be a memorable – and highly competitive – afternoon on the pickleball court.
“Seeing 650 people in that room was incredibly powerful,” said Kim Lund, Board Member of the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. “We had people who have walked this journey themselves, families, businesses, sponsors, volunteers and supporters all coming together for one purpose. The generosity was extraordinary, but what moved me most was the sense of community. Every person in that room is helping us make sure that no one facing breast cancer in Cayman must face it alone.”
The record-breaking evening will directly support the Foundation’s work throughout the year, including its Wellness Programme, Early Detection Programme and Extended Early Detection Programme, as well as practical and financial support for patients navigating treatment and recovery.
The Foundation is particularly focused on ensuring that fundraising translates into meaningful, tangible support. From helping people access mammograms, ultrasounds and diagnostic investigations to providing wellness support during treatment, the funds raised enable the Foundation to respond to the real needs of people affected by breast cancer in Cayman.
While October remains an important month for raising awareness and much-needed funds, the Foundation is conscious that breast cancer does not stop when October ends.
“October gives us an opportunity to have a much bigger conversation, but the work continues every single day,” added Edgington. “We never want breast cancer to become just a pink campaign or a single month on the calendar. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a story. The incredible generosity shown at this Gala means we can continue to provide practical support, invest in early detection and be there for people throughout their journey – all year round.”
Dr Corrine Beaumont said:
“Cayman is truly a special place. What an incredible experience to be part of the gala and spend the evening celebrating the extraordinary work of Breast Cancer Cayman. Witnessing firsthand the generosity of this community and its commitment to making early detection a reality for everyone on the island was deeply inspiring. Cayman is showing the rest of the world what’s possible when a community comes together to fight breast cancer. I can’t wait to return and continue building on our partnership.”
The Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to every sponsor, donor, auction contributor, volunteer and guest who helped make the 2026 Gala its most successful to date.
The record-breaking response is a powerful reflection of the Cayman Islands community and its commitment to supporting those affected by breast cancer.