Benjammin Bash

As many of you know, Peter H. O’Donnell, MD, of UChicago Medicine served as Benjamin’s primary physician at the start of his cancer journey. His compassionate care—and admiration for Ben’s courage—led our family to partner with him to establish three Cancer Research Scholarships at the University of Chicago in Ben’s name.

We’re proud to share that he has been named the Fred C. Buffett Professor — a well-deserved honor recognizing his leadership and impact in cancer research.

Dr. O’Donnell has also been a valued supporter of our Benjammin Bash, and we are so grateful for his continued dedication and compassion.

Congratulations, Dr. O’Donnell!

https://medicine.uchicago.edu/news/three-department-medicine-faculty-receive-named-professorships

Congratulations to Olivia Hung on being named the 2026 Benjamin McAllister Scholar!

Olivia is an aspiring physician-scientist doing impactful research on how pharmacogenomic testing can improve cancer care and the patient experience. Alongside her studies, she’s a leader in health equity and actively involved in patient care and community service.

We’re proud to support students like Olivia who are helping shape the future of cancer research and care 💙

Today we remember Ben on his birthday. 💙

Ben loved fishing, sports, the outdoors, music, his dog Riley, and most of all, being surrounded by family and friends. If it brought those things together, that’s where Ben was happiest.

Happy Birthday, Ben.

If you find yourself doing any of these things today, take a moment to think of Ben. And if you have a memory, story, or photo, please share it here as we remember and celebrate who he was.

Benjammin Bash is BACK online!

We’re excited to kick off planning for the 2026 Benjammin Bash — including both the Minneapolis Bash and the Bloomington Bash!

SAVE THE DATE
📍 Minneapolis — August 1, 2026
📍 Bloomington — September 26, 2026

Big things are already in the works, and you won’t want to miss what’s coming this year.

Stay tuned for:
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Full event details
• Additional pop-up events leading up to the Bash
• Day-of Bash schedules

👉 Check back soon for more info — the countdown starts now!

We are truly overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who showed up, donated, and believed in the mission behind the Benjammin Bash in Bloomington.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, this year’s event raised $30,078.42 for the Benjamin McAllister Cancer Research Scholarship. Because of you, the total 2025 scholarship fund now stands at $38,552.42 — an amazing tribute to Ben’s life, heart, and the impact he continues to make.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for keeping his spirit alive through love, laughter, music, and purpose. We couldn’t do this without you. 💙

A Huge Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors and Donors!

Your support brings Benjammin Bash to life - the food, the prizes, the music, the memories, and of course the scholarship fund, all happen because of you!

A special thank you to our 2025 sponsors:
Eastland Companion Animal Hospital
Deb Connor – Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Rave Homes
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Abby Spachman State Farm Agency
Merna Tap Bar & Grill
MECO-HENNE Contracting
Kraft, Wood & Kelly, LLC
The Money Store
Mona’s Italian Restaurant
Holt Supply
Orchard Point
Andrew Herman -Country Financial
Edward Jones

We couldn’t do it without you — thank you for helping make this year’s Bash a success!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

What an incredible day at the Benjammin Bash! We are so grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate, support, and honor Ben. A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors, donors, and volunteers — we couldn’t have done it without you!

Because of your generosity, the day was filled with joy, laughter, and connection — a perfect reminder of what makes this event so meaningful.

Stay tuned — we can’t wait to share how much we raised this year!

If you missed it or still want to give, donations are still being accepted at benjamminbash.com!

The countdown is almost over… the Benjammin Bash is TOMORROW!

Come ready for a full day of fun, friends, and unforgettable memories. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, head to www.benjamminbash.com

Here’s the schedule so you don’t miss a thing: