COLUMBUS, Ohio – Who needs to feel guilty about eating macaroni and cheese when it benefits programs that support young adult survivors of cancer? The 8th Annual Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival, hosted by the NextGen James Ambassadors Society and the Easton Community Foundation, will take place Friday, September 26 at Easton Town Center. This event benefits the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). To date, the event has raised nearly $500,000 in support of programs for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Tickets are now available for this fun family-friendly event featuring a selection of mac and cheese samples from some of your favorite central Ohio restaurants, live entertainment, kid zone activities, giveaways and more. The event takes place Friday, September 26 from 4 – 7:30pm at The Yard at Easton Town Center. The Yard is located north of Macy's and east of Nordstrom, close to the Worth Ave. Parking Garage. To purchase tickets this year’s mac and cheese celebration, visit cancer.osu.edu. A family four-packet of tickets is $70. Individual adult tickets can be purchased for $30 and individual child tickets are $10. In 2024, the festival raised more than $75,000, bringing the grand total raised since event inception to more than $486,000. These funds have allowed the OSUCCC – James to host a national oncofertility conference, fund several young survivor social opportunities, purchase gaming consoles for the OSUCCC – James family room, support several research studies. Attendees will be able to sample mac and cheese creations from some of Columbus’ best restaurants and chefs, including: 36 Catering, Bloch Suite at OSUCCC – James, Chuy's, Degrees Restaurant at Columbus State, Dos Hermanos, Forbidden Root, James Mobile Education Kitchen, Mitchell's Ocean Club, Ritzy's, Rusty Bucket Easton, Slurping Turtle, Steven's Catering, Sweet Carrot, The Berwick Manor Catering and Way Down Yonder (as of 8/15/2025).  MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda Harper | Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu