Nearly 300 guests filled the Four Seasons Hotel Miami for UR Luminous’s fifth Light Up the Night gala, with proceeds going to the Luminous Advocacy Project
MIAMI: Nearly 300 guests in black tie filled the Four Seasons Hotel Miami on Friday, Oct. 2, for the fifth annual Light Up the Night Gala from UR Luminous, themed “Fire & Light.” Proceeds go to the Luminous Advocacy Project, which works on early detection, breast health education and access to care. The date fell inside Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Who received The Luminary Award
Larsa Pippen, Kiki Barth and Alexia Nepola of “The Real Housewives of Miami” were named Pass the Light Ambassadors and received The Luminary Award, which went to them for using their platforms to push people toward an active role in their own health. Romina Nabhen, who created the Pass the Light campaign, joined them on stage.
The Luminary Award also went to Emmy Award-winning actress Drea de Matteo; Julio P. Gonzalez, founder and CEO of Engineered Tax Services; and Ángeles Alumna, a breast cancer survivor and advocate. Alumna shared her personal journey and spoke about her advocacy through Fashion Strikes Cancer.
Who ran the room
Mrs. Florida International 2026 Michele Reese hosted. Former NFL player Vince Papale presented the awards. Marylin Dans, founder of the Luminous Advocacy Project Foundation, and Dr. Julio Hernandez, the foundation’s chair, spoke, as did medical experts Dr. Diego Illanes and Dr. Diana Caragacianu.
Music, fire and an auction
Guests were welcomed with The Pale Rosé and later heard Miami-born singer-songwriter Robbie Elias and his band, whose credits include Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning albums. Brenda Navarrete performed African drum and song. A live band and a fire dancer rounded out the program.
The silent and live auctions offered trips to Italy, Portugal and Costa Rica, a safari in South Africa, rings and necklaces, and a signed Bad Bunny record. Proceeds support the foundation.
The device on display
UR Luminous showcased the Luminous device at the gala. The company calls it an at-home breast familiarity tool for men and women. It uses red light to help people observe their breast tissue between screenings and spot anything a physician should look at. UR Luminous says it is an adjunct tool and not a diagnostic device.
What the foundation pays for
The Luminous Advocacy Project Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its global medical missions cover the full cost of care, from sonograms and mammograms to biopsies, transportation, and, where needed, surgery. The foundation says patients are never billed.
A second program, Luminous Digital Missions, lets clinics in developing countries apply to become approved partners. Approved clinics receive donated Luminous devices and staff training. The foundation also offers a free Luminous Self-Check App in eight languages. More information is at luminousadvocacyproject.com.
See the event photos below:
Photo credit: World Red Eye
