Every year, nonprofit galas celebrate milestones, honor changemakers, and raise critical funding. But this July, one Atlanta event aims to do something even more significant: help women overcome one of the biggest barriers to fibroid care, the cost.
On July 25, The White Dress Project will host its annual Night in White Gala as part of the 2026 Empowerment Experience, bringing together healthcare leaders, patient advocates, philanthropists, and community supporters for an evening dedicated to advancing women’s health. While the gala will recognize influential voices and national leaders, its greatest impact may come from what happens after the celebration ends.
Proceeds from the evening will support the launch of the White Dress Cares Patient Fund, a new initiative designed to provide financial assistance for women seeking fibroid diagnosis, treatment, and recovery care.
For founder and fibroid survivor Tanika Gray Valbrun, the initiative represents the next chapter in a mission that began after her own uterine fibroid diagnosis.
“The White Dress Project was born from my own experience living with uterine fibroids,” said Valbrun. “For more than a decade, we’ve worked to increase awareness, educate women, amplify patient voices, and advocate for better healthcare. Launching the White Dress Cares Patient Fund allows us to build on that work by helping women overcome the financial barriers that too often delay diagnosis and treatment.”
Turning Awareness Into Action
Founded in 2014, The White Dress Project has become one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to raising awareness of uterine fibroids. The nonprofit helped establish July as Fibroid Awareness Month, launched the nationally recognized “Wear White” movement, and has spent more than a decade educating women, supporting research, and advocating for improved health outcomes.
Those efforts have helped bring greater visibility to a condition that affects millions of women and disproportionately impacts Black women.
Yet awareness alone does not guarantee access to care.
Even after receiving a diagnosis, many women face difficult financial decisions. The costs associated with diagnostic imaging, specialist visits, surgery, post-operative care, time away from work, and recovery can delay treatment for months, or even years.
The White Dress Cares Patient Fund was created to help address those challenges by providing financial support to eligible women navigating fibroid care.
A Gala With Lasting Impact
The annual gala is the organization’s signature fundraising event and has become one of the premier gatherings of Fibroid Awareness Month.
Held during the three-day Empowerment Experience in Atlanta, the event will bring together survivors, physicians, researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and supporters committed to improving women’s health.
This year’s honorees include public figures, elected officials, researchers, physicians, and advocates advancing health equity and patient care across the country. Among them are Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, recognized for their leadership in advancing women’s health and raising awareness of uterine fibroids through public service and advocacy. Also being honored is Necole Kane, founder of My Happy Flo, for helping women better understand and manage their hormonal health through education and wellness solutions.
Beyond recognizing their contributions, the evening is designed to mobilize philanthropy around an issue that continues to affect millions of women while remaining underdiagnosed, misunderstood, and underfunded.
Investing in the Future of Women’s Health
By pairing advocacy with direct financial assistance, The White Dress Project is turning awareness into action, making it easier for women to access fibroid care when they need it most. For supporters attending A Night in White, every ticket purchased and every dollar raised will help advance that mission. Supported by partners like Hologic, Inc., the 2026 Empowerment Experience takes place July 24–26 in Atlanta, and registration information is available through thewhitedressproject.org.
