Mehta Family Will Host Gala for Pediatric Cancer Research
The Brave Ronil Foundation will hold a fundraising gala at San Jose City Hall on December 12, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Mehta family will host a fundraising gala for pediatric brain cancer research on December 12, 2026, at San Jose City Hall. The event seeks to continue the advocacy work of the Brave Ronil Foundation.
Why it matters
Pediatric cancer research remains underfunded, and the foundation aims to bridge this gap through both direct project support and new state-level legislative initiatives. The family turned their personal tragedy into public policy advocacy to provide more resources for families and research institutions.
The Brave Ronil Foundation has successfully supported more than 50 families and provided $450,000 to nine different pediatric brain cancer research initiatives.
The players
Milan and Manisha Mehta
They are the founders of the Brave Ronil Foundation who advocate for pediatric cancer research in memory of their son.
Alex Lee
He is an Assemblymember who collaborated on the development of AB 703 to facilitate research funding.
Gavin Newsom
He is the Governor of California who signed AB 703 into law in 2025.
The details
The foundation was launched by Milan and Manisha Mehta following the death of their son, Ronil, in 2018. The family also successfully collaborated with Assemblymember Alex Lee to develop AB 703, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2025 to allow tax return donations for pediatric cancer research.
Timeline
2018: Ronil Mehta passed away from cancer.
2024: Assemblymember Alex Lee and Sahil Mehta developed AB 703.
2025: Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 703 into law.
December 12, 2026: The first annual fundraising gala will take place at San Jose City Hall.
Market Landscape
The foundation's efforts align with the broader movement of leveraging state tax policy to address systemic gaps in medical research funding. This initiative builds on the framework established by California Assembly Bill 703, which creates a voluntary contribution option on state tax returns.
Residents can utilize the voluntary contribution option on their California state tax returns to donate to pediatric cancer research as established by AB 703. This policy shift allows taxpayers to directly support the mission of organizations like the Brave Ronil Foundation during their annual filing process.
The takeaway
The family's transition from grieving parents to policy advocates illustrates how personal experience can drive meaningful legislative and charitable change. Supporters are encouraged to look for the new tax donation line item on their state returns to sustain this research effort.
What happens next
The inaugural fundraising gala is scheduled to be held at San Jose City Hall on December 12, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts by visiting the Philanthropy section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRON4.
