On
September 10, Children's Memorial Hospital announced
its most ambitious fundraising initiative on behalf of children and
families in the hospital's 126-year history, the Heroes
for Life campaign. The announcement was made at a cocktail and
dinner reception at Northerly Island in Chicago which was attended
by nearly 800 friends and supporters of the hospital.
The goal of the campaign is to raise a minimum of $600 million,
which will be used to help create the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's
Hospital of Chicago, scheduled to open in the Streeterville community
in 2012, and to support its medical and nursing professionals, programs
and research.
Guests were treated to a lavish buffet featuring hand-carved beef
tenderloin, hand-rolled sushi and mushroom risotto. Mary
Ann Childers served as emcee for the program which included
remarks from prominent members of the hospital's family including J.
Christopher Reyes, chairman of the board of directors
of Children's Memorial Medical Center, Patrick
M. Magoon,
president and CEO, Children's Memorial Medical Center, Daniel
J. Hennessy, chairman of the board of directors of Children's
Memorial Foundation, and philanthropists Ann
Lurie and Lester
Crown.
Chicago music legend Dennis DeYoung, formerly of
the band Styx, began the program with a nostalgic three-song set
in which he expressed his gratitude for the care his infant son received
at Children's Memorial in 1980. Guests were also treated to
a premiere performance of the original song, “In a Moment,” composed
for the campaign by Chicago musician Jeff Jacobs and
performed by Broadway star Heather Headley of “Lion
King” fame accompanied by the 40-member Bright Star Choir.
Blues guitar legend Buddy Guy entertained guests
with his signature sound for the dessert portion of the evening and
a spectacular fireworks display over the lake capped off the evening.
