Tickets for this year's Dare to Dream Gala in Troy are completely gone, but organizers say the fundraising push for families affected by spina bifida is far from over. The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, bringing together supporters for a night of auctions, dinner and recognition ceremonies.
According to WNYT.com, the gala will feature a silent and live auction, musical entertainment, a three-course meal, and recognition ceremonies honoring the community. The event's date aligns with details from the Capital Region Chamber, which also lists the Dare to Dream Gala as taking place Saturday, November 7, 2026. Even with seats no longer available, the station reports that people can still donate or participate in a jewelry raffle through the association's website.
Who the Gala Supports
The event benefits the Spina Bifida Association of New York State, which describes itself as dedicated to serving and supporting every person and family impacted by spina bifida by offering programs, resources, education and services, per the station's report. On its own site, the Spina Bifida Association of New York State says it is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build a better and brighter future for all those impacted by spina bifida, with services available statewide at no cost and benefiting individuals across their lifetimes.
WNYT spoke with Julia Duff, executive director of the Spina Bifida Association of New York State, about the upcoming gala as part of its coverage. The station's report frames spina bifida as the most common permanently disabling birth defect that is associated with life, affecting approximately 166,000 people in the United States.
A Condition With a Wide Reach
That scale is echoed in federal data. A page from the CDC states that its findings show spina bifida affects tens of thousands of people across the country, and that knowing how many people live with the condition across the lifespan helps public health professionals, clinicians and partners plan services. A separate 2026 study published through Wiley Online Library estimates spina bifida prevalence at 3.20 per 10,000 people in the USA.
The need for sustained support has also drawn attention at the state level. A press release from the New York State Senate says Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Karines Reyes were joined by New Yorkers living with spina bifida to urge the inclusion of $250,000 in funding for the Spina Bifida Association of New York State.
A Long-Running Tradition in the Capital Region
The Dare to Dream Gala has roots that go back years in the local nonprofit scene. A 2023 report from WNYT, Tickets on sale for Spina bifida gala, noted that the organization was founded by parents of children living with spina bifida in the Capital District. With this year's tickets sold out well ahead of Saturday, organizers are pointing supporters toward the jewelry raffle and direct donations as the remaining ways to pitch in before the gala gets underway at the Hilton Garden Inn.
