 | Institute co-directors, Dr. James Chandler (l) and Dr. Jeffrey Raizer (r), with host Bonnie Hunt |
A Terrific Launch for the Northwestern Brain Tumor InstituteThe excitement in the air was palpable as more and more guests raised their bidder cards to pledge one thousand dollars in response to the auctioneer's call for support. Bidding not on an extravagant trip, these generous philanthropists instead were giving en masse to help advance brain and spinal tumor care and research at Northwestern. The dedication and passion of more than 600 patients, physicians, families, donors, and friends was clear on Tuesday, September 29, as they gathered to celebrate and promote the launch of the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute—a groundbreaking collaboration between Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Feinberg School of Medicine, and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Hosted by Bonnie Hunt, the former oncology nurse turned actress and talk show host, the evening was a terrific success, raising more than $800,000 for the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute. Within the grandeur and elegance of the iconic Palmer House in downtown Chicago, the event personally honored those affected by brain and spinal tumors, while highlighting the programmatic strengths that have converged within the Institute. The hopeful and forward-looking mood of the celebration was captured by Bonnie Hunt as she chose to share her own family's recent history with a brain tumor diagnosis. Commenting on the fear and confusion that accompany the simple sentences, "You have a brain tumor," or "You have cancer," she shared how necessary it was for anyone diagnosed to hear the next sentence, "And there is something we can do about it." "This event, and others like it that support the amazing work of this Institute and cancer researchers and physicians at Northwestern, are what make that second statement possible," she said.In addition to personal thanks from Dr. Steve Rosen, director of the Lurie Cancer Center, and Drs. James Chandler and Jeffrey Raizer, co-directors of the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute, guests enjoyed musical performances by The Gentlemen of Leisure, as well as a rousing live auction led by professional auctioneer Alex Lerman and special guests Pat Brickhouse, wife of the late baseball broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, celebrated chef Art Smith, and the evening's emcee, Bonnie Hunt. Before the event drew to a close, all in attendance watched a moving short film, created especially for the event by Joanna Rudnick of Kartemquin Films. The short documentary highlighted the challenges and triumphs of patients, caregivers, and physicians intimately involved with the Institute, and featured Institute co-directors, Drs. Chandler and Raizer, as well as Feinberg School of Medicine student and brain tumor survivor, PJ Lukac. Clearly inspired by the video, guests generously donated to research within the Institute through a fund-a-need call at the close of the evening's auction, raising their cards in support of a unique and valuable asset to Chicago and all those affected by brain and spinal tumors. For more information about the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute, please click here.Click here to read more from Bonnie Hunt about her commitment to the NBTI.To view more photos from the launch celebration, please visit the Feinberg School of Medicine’s Flickr page. | 
