Annual Awards Dinner

The 2024 Annual Awards Dinner was held on June 18 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Downtown Chicago. This year's event was hosted by Bonnie Hunt and honored Dr. Leonidas Platanias and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Under Dr. Platanias's leadership, the Center has pioneered innovative research, provided cutting-edge treatments, and offered compassionate care. Their partnership with Gilda’s Club has been invaluable, providing essential support to patients and their loved ones. We also heard from Grace Iberle, a Gilda's Club Chicago member and breast cancer survivor, who shared her story with the audience:   “The work that Gilda’s Club is providing is essential to help those in the cancer community. The main priority at the hospital is on your physical health. Gilda’s Club is vital in supporting your mental health through creating community, finding support, and using creativity as an outlet to process the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with cancer. I’ve made close friendships through Gilda’s that have brought me out of a dark space and I anticipate I’ll keep these friendships for years to come.” Additionally, we would like to thank all of our sponsors and attendees, silent auction and live auction donors, Production Plus for the audio/visual, and Lyric Opera Stage Artists and Bradford Newquist with the William Underwood Trio for providing wonderful entertainment for the evening.   [View 2024 Event Photos]

Our Sponsors

- Presenting -

Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand Family

- VIP -

Elisabeth & William Adams IV Jennifer Cavanaugh Chapman and Culter LLP John D. & Barbara C. Cooney Family Foundation The Crown Family The Reynolds Family

- Host -

Citadel The Molo Family Wintrust

- Benefactor -

Abbvie Blue Door Neighborhood Center The Chicago Bulls CIBC Grant Thornton Laura & Gerald Horn Jim & Lora Jacobsohn Lurie Cancer Center Northwestern Medicine Alex & Melissa Richardson Kelly Superczynski, AON

- Sponsor -

Bill & Julie Albin Bristol Myers Squibb Conagra Ron & Sandra Culp Steve & Kim D'Amore, Winston Strawn LLP Executive Construction Foundation Susan Goodenow Infor Lisa Konieczka, CBRE Karen V. Lamb Sandye & Wayne Lerner Magellan Corporation Sarah McEneaney James Mitchell Eileen & Tom Nash OZINGA Dr. Jeffrey Raizer & Mrs. Kelly Gervin Raizer Leslie Sawyer, Environmental Design International Jamie & David Schwartz Dr. Bruce A. Schoneboom Arlene P. Small Jim Stadler, Old National Bank University of Illinois Cancer Center The Second City Vizient