Hello *{{Informal Name}}*,

We want to invite YOU - and your community  - to join us for the 2026 MnCAN Break the Barriers for Aphasia Gala!

This special afternoon is about more than fundraising. It is a chance to celebrate the incredible people and families in our MnCAN community who are living with aphasia and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).

Our participants continue to live fully, make connections, learn, advocate, and find hope—even when communication is difficult.

Come enjoy an inspiring afternoon filled with powerful stories, great food, connection, and silent and live auctions. Most importantly, come experience what happens when people have a community that understands, supports, and believes in them.

And please bring someone with you! Invite a friend, family member, healthcare professional, colleague, neighbor, or anyone who would like to learn more about aphasia and PPA. Bring someone. Expand the circle. Break the barriers. 

Together, we can create a world where people with aphasia and PPA are not defined by what they cannot say—but celebrated for everything they can do.

Registration is open now. We look forward to celebrating with you on October 25th!

The MnCAN Team
Angie, Jessica, Nicole, Board of Directors, group facilitators, student and volunteers


Breaking barriers. Building connections. Creating hope.

Event Details

Date and Time: Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM


Location: Vadnais Heights Commons, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota

Address: 655 County Road F E, Vadnais Heights MN 55127

 

Attire: Dress to celebrate! Business casual to wedding attire (formal attire not required).

 

Check-in: Begins at 2:00 PM. Please arrive no earlier than 2:00 PM, as our team will be putting the finishing touches on the event and preparing to welcome you!

 

Schedule of Events:

 

2:00 - 3:00 PM - Social Hour

  • Cocktail/Social Hour
  • Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar
  • Bid on items in Silent Auction (online and in-person)
  • Silent auction bidding ends promptly at 3:00 pm CST

3:00 - 5:00 PM - Seated Program

  • Welcome from our amazing emcee Nancy Z!
  • MnCAN updates from Executive Directors Angie and Jessica 
  • Keynote speakers, Kee Shen Yim and Mary Ehmke, will share their heartfelt journeys of living with aphasia and PPA.
  • Exciting Live Auction Bidding 
  • Fund-A-Need Giving

~5:00 PM - Program Ends and Checkout Begins 

Ticket Options

  • Individual Ticket: $75 - includes admission for 1 person to attend the gala, reserved seat for gala program, silent and live auction access, hors d'oeuvres, access to cash bar. 
  • Couples Ticket: $130 - includes admission for 2 people to attend the gala, reserved seat for gala program, silent and live auction access, hors d'oeuvres, access to cash bar. 
  • Table of 8: $500 - includes admission for 8 people to attend the gala, reserved table for gala program, silent and live auction access, hors d'oeuvres, access to cash bar. 
  • Give-a-Ticket to a person with aphasia or PPA: $50 - NEW IN 2026 - includes admission for one person living with aphasia or PPA that may be facing financial hardship and unable to afford a ticket. MnCAN will assign the ticket so you can leave all informational fields blank. Give a Ticket. Give the Gift of Connection. 
  • Silent Auction Bidding ONLY - this DOES NOT include a ticket to the in-person event. Choose this option ONLY if you plan to bid on silent auction items from home and not attend the gala event. If you are attending the gala, you do not need to select this option.

Registration

Break the Barriers for Aphasia Gala
Tickets Here or Scan QR Code

Anticipated Questions

Can I invite my family and friends to join?

 

Yes, please do! 

  • Forward them this email
  • Share our QR code or website: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/breakbarriers2026/ 
  • Visit www.mncan.org

If I purchase a Table of 8 package, do I need to enter all my guests names during registration?

  • No! If you know the information (name and email) it is helpful but not required. You can go back into your registration later and enter their information OR forward individual tickets to your guests and they can enter their own information (including credit card for auction bidding). 

Is the gala fundraising website secure?

  • Yes! MnCAN has a paid subscription to Bloomerang Fundraising, a secure site that safeguards donors financial information. 

Can you tell me more about the silent auction?

  • OPENS online Tuesday October 20th at 8:00 AM - bid away! 
  • CLOSES Sunday, October 25th promptly at 3:00 PM

  • You will need to enter a credit card to bid on items but you can pay by check at checkout. Hint: during registration you will have the option to keep your credit card on file for future auction item bidding. 

  • If you are at the gala in-person, we will have volunteers available to help you make bids hopefully to win!
  • If you are the highest bidder, you will receive a text or email to make the payment after the gala program.
  • If you are at the gala, you can take your item home that evening- just check out with our volunteers at the end of the event to get your items. 
  • If you are not at the auction, you can still bid and win! We will reach out to you for delivery after the gala event.
  • Silent auction bidding is included with every purchased ticket. 

Can I request to sit by another person buying a ticket to the gala?

  • Yes! Just add their name(s) in the comment section during registration. All seating requests must be made by October 18, 2026 so we can finalize seating assignments. We will do our best to honor all requests. 

More questions? We can help! Email Jessica or Angie at contact@mncan.org or call us at 612-524-8802

Event Sponsors

 

Can't attend this year?

We will miss you!  You can still help MnCAN reach our goal by donating and bidding online. 

Click here to register for the silent auction, preview auction items or donate
 

Together, we will raise funds to ensure people living with aphasia and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) have access to life-changing programs, support, and connection.

 

Every guest,

Every gift,

Every story.

 

Every voice matters.

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