Crain's Chicago Business
'Wings to Cure' Gala Raises $1.1 Million for Cancer Research
December 6, 2023
The Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation held its 8th annual “Wings to Cure Gala “at Navy Pier on Nov. 11. The event raised $1.1 million to support cutting-edge research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. More than 900 guests attended including notables such as Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, President of Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle and Water Reclamation Commissioner Maryiana Spyropoulos.
Following a reception, the program commenced in the Aon Grand Ballroom with a patriotic touch, featuring the precision of the American Legion Color Guard, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem by Marianna Betondo.
Emcee Lou Canellis from Fox-32, also a founding member of HCRF, welcomed guests and opened the program by sharing personal anecdotes about how cancer has impacted his own life. Canellis recounted the loss of his father to cancer in 2003 and revealed that his brother, diagnosed with multiple myeloma, was initially given a prognosis of five years to live. However, under the care of Dr. Leonidas Platanias, who serves as the director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, the disease is currently undetectable.
The gala was curated by DC Baldwin Productions and co-chaired by renowned fashion designer Peter Dundas, CEO of DUNDAS, and Evangelo Bousis, co-founder and chief brand officer of DUNDAS. They emphasized the importance of the ongoing fight against rising cancer rates among youth and introduced a video highlighting the pioneering research conducted by Dr. Platanias, along with contributions from Drs. Maha Hussain and William Gradishar, all affiliated with the Lurie Cancer Center.
Eleni Bousis, HCRF founding board chair, acknowledged the heroes in the crowd on Veteran's Day. She stressed the importance of everyone pulling together to conquer this disease and concluded her address with a quote ascribed to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs when he was on his deathbed. “At this moment, lying in bed, ill and remembering my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth are insignificant in the presence of imminent death. You can hire someone to drive you in a car or make money for you; but you can’t hire someone to carry the disease for you. Eat your food as medicine, otherwise, you will have to eat your medicine as food. There is a big difference between being a human being and being. If you want to go fast – you go alone. But if you want to go far you go together.”
Dr. Platanias spoke passionately about eradicating cancer and posed the question, "Why is cancer still here?" He explained, "Cancer goes back to ancient times. It's been around for thousands of years, and during that time, unfortunately, cancer cells have become smarter and smarter. But so have we. We now have technologies and weapons we didn't have before. I believe strongly that cancer can be defeated if physicians, researchers, and philanthropists work together as a team."
Platanias ended the evening on a hopeful note. "It is the mission of HCRF to support highly innovative research that will end this disease once and for all. We try to think outside the box, come up with novel ideas and hope we find some answers. You need radical ideas to treat a disease like cancer." He added that doctors and researchers at the center work in biochemistry, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and more to “address cancer from every angle.” He then encouraged the audience to contact him for support, providing his personal cell phone number from the stage.
The event also featured a performance by European opera star Alkis Kalmoukis, a successful paddle raise led by Daniel Campbell and entertainment by the band SWAY Chicago and DJ John Grammatis. Model and actress Dree Hemingway was a special presenter.
Lurie's Cancer Center, located at Northwestern University, holds the prestigious designation of being a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center. NCI designates 55 cancer centers across the country as comprehensive cancer centers based on their scientific excellence.
The center excels in basic, clinical, behavioral, and population-based research, offering eight programs, and collaborates with 36 academic departments and divisions across four schools. Additionally, it supports various research hubs and initiatives.
The center excels in basic, clinical, behavioral, and population-based research, providing eight programs. Moreover, it engages in collaborations with 36 academic departments and divisions spanning four schools, while also offering support for various research hubs and initiatives.
Recently, it was again recognized as one of the best cancer hospitals in the country according to the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
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