H Foundation’s 23rd Annual Goombay Bash Accelerates Basic Science Cancer Research
A standing-room only crowd of more than 1,000 supporters and friends of The H Foundation came together on Saturday, July 26, at the 23rd Annual Goombay Bash held at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Topping itself again, The H Foundation’s Caribbean-themed event raised a Goombay record of more than $1.2 million to support basic science cancer research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Since its inception in 2001, The H Foundation has been a steadfast philanthropic partner and champion of Lurie Cancer Center and has been actively committed to making a difference in the fight against cancer.
Highlights of the event, presented by Becknell Industrial, included special awards as well as remarks and a lively Q and A with celebrity guest of honor Rob Lowe—Hollywood icon, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and philanthropist.
“My great grandma, my grandma, and my mother all eventually passed away from breast cancer. So, over the years, that brought me into the world of trying to help do what we could do for cancer research, cancer fundraising, for cancer patients, and for the people who take care of them. So obviously it's a broad world of heroes. Heroes who are out there researching. Heroes who are out there paying for it, and then the amazing doctors, nurses, and practitioners. Then, most of all—the heroes fighting the cancer fight,” Lowe said.
“I encourage everyone out there who has anybody out there who's dealing with this to shepherd them to the light, to the bright, to the positive, to the things that unite us. And, to make sure they know about all the amazing accomplishments that are funded by evenings like this. When my family was dealing with breast cancer, the survival rates were numbers that you didn't even want to think about. Now the survival rates for the kind of breast cancer that affected my family are astronomically better. And the future is incredibly bright. So, I like to think and focus around the hope in this world, and in this world that we're here for tonight,” he said.
Honoring Cancer Champions
WGN reporter Mike Lowe received the H Foundation’s Eye of the Tiger Award. Lowe’s mission has been to make people aware of the early signs of colorectal cancer. In April 2024, at the age of 44, Lowe was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Immediately, this Emmy winning Chicago journalist began telling his own story…sharing his challenging journey of 30 rounds of radiation and four months of chemotherapy. Lowe has demonstrated strength, courage, and even humor as he has documented his battle with cancer. He was joined by his WGN colleagues and his family and friends as he received the Eye of the Tiger award.
In addition, passionate and longtime H Foundation supporter Alan Karen, senior vice president of Global Sales at SATCO|NUVO Lighting, received this year’s Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award. Kevin Burke, president of Burke Beverage Inc., served as the distinguished 2025 Goombay Bash Honorary Chair.
Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and the Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin, and Elizabeth Lurie Professor of Oncology, thanked everyone at the Goombay Bash for supporting The H Foundation and its strong and longstanding partnership with Northwestern.
“Funding from The H Foundation helps us to conduct breakthrough early-stage cancer research every day at Lurie Cancer Center. To date, more than $13 million in philanthropic funds from The H Foundation have leveraged approximately $280 million in federal grant awards to Lurie Cancer Center,” Dr. Platanias said.
“Curiosity and compassion are two principles that fuel scientific research and discovery at Lurie Cancer Center. Curiosity relates to The H Foundation and its unique support of basic science cancer research, which is the underpinning of cancer research and discovery for new treatments for patients. Compassion for others is what motivates our researchers and builds community at events like this, where philanthropists and scientists are working together to find a cure. We are truly grateful for The H Foundation’s continued giving and generosity, which we never take for granted and need now more than ever,” he said.
The H Foundation was founded by a group of friends as a tribute to their friend Pam Herts, who lost her battle with breast cancer in February 2001 at the age of 31. With the success of the 2025 Goombay Bash, the foundation will have raised a total of more than $15 million for Lurie Cancer Center through its events and fundraising outreach. The H Foundation and its thousands of supporters continue on as a fundraising movement that is committed to the message and experience that “Cancer is Personal to Us.”