The
Medicine Ball sponsored by The Women's Board of the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago (RIC) was held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at
the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago.
An annual benefit event, the 2009
Ball was entitled, Supper in the City, and included not only cocktails
and dinner, but a performance by Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Steve
Tyrell. Tyrell is a producer, songwriter, performer and two-time Emmy
nominee.
The evening's décor highlighted the cabaret theme.
Palm branches were placed about the room, tables were dressed in persimmon
colored taffeta and the centerpieces featured apricot roses, orange and
green orchids, a host of candles plus a sparkling fiber optic curtain
behind the stage welcomed the guests that numbered almost 400. Tyrell
performed at a black concert grand piano and among his songs were It
Had To be You, Give Me the Simple Life and The
Way You Look Tonight.
The dinner menu featured a seafood appetizer followed by a beef tenderloin
entrée accompanied by the appropriate wines. A dessert buffet
followed the cabaret program and dancing to the Steve Tyrell combo concluded
the evening.
Sponsorships were very strong this year as was the Fund-a-
Need Appeal which will benefit RIC's robust clinical research initiative
to integrate innovative research into clinical care. Projected profit
from the Medicine Ball is between $400,000 to $500,000.
Chairing the
September 12 Medicine Ball was Cyndy Strong and her co-chairs were Kate
Boege and Kristin Smith. Others on the committee were Carrie Grant, Kitty
Freidheim, Leslie Kennedy, Julia Pesek and Tamara Weiss – all of
Chicago. Active Board members from the north shore were Pat Booth of
Lake Bluff, Lori Nerenberg of Wilmette, Patsy Callahan of Kenilworth
and Cidney Golman of Highland Park. The president of the RIC Women's
Board is Michelle Smead of Chicago.
The Ball's intent is to raise
funds for RIC's research initiatives that support the hospital's
bold vision to advance human ability. Through new technologies and new
treatments, RIC will work to translate scientific discoveries into innovations
that provide patients with the most advanced care available to reclaim
their goals and thrive in life.
