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Many of us go through life only to worry about the mundane things such as where to meet friends for dinner, why will uber charge me 3x more than a regular cab at times or worse why certain coffee shops have limit on their wifi. Needless to say many of us are blessed and hopefully you don’t take that for granted. Some of us were born without craniofacial deformities which not only has an impact on one’s physical appearance but also an emotional one. Face the Future Foundation, estbalished in 1987 by a group of former patients, parents of patients, and members of the Chicago business and social communities and others whose lives had been touched by the work and care of the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Craniofacial Center, to assist in the long term fundraising mission of the center. The UIC Craniofacial Center is comprised of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team working to achieve functional, cosmetic and psychosocial normalcy for each patient for an improved quality of life. The work they do not only helps these children grow up to be fully functional adults in society but also restores confidence.
On March 9, Face the Future Foundation held it’s annual fundraising gala in the grand ballroom of the Four Season’s Hotel(Chicago). The theme of Flappers, Fedoras and all that Jazz surely had guests in the mood to have a great time but the overall theme to raise awareness and capital support for the foundation was at the core of the celebration. Some of Chicago’s finest in the civic, corporate, healthcare and philanthropy world joined co-chairs Mary Genet and Michael Judge, honorary chair Israel Idonije, Dr. Mimis Cohen, Foundation President Gus Albello, Michigan Avenue EIC J.P. Anderson that evening for fun, dinner and a lively auction. Dr. Cohen-Professor and Chief Divisions of Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery UIC College of Medicine, along with his wife Andrea Cohen who were instrumental in starting the Foundationo. He is not only honored to lead one of the first Craniofacial centers in the world but what the center does to truly impact lives is something he is proud of. The Craniofacial center does not turn down a patient based on their socioeconomic background and all patients that walk through the center are treated the same. Natalie, a patient of the Craniofacial center is a shinign example of soem of the great work they do.
Israel “Izzy” Idonije, was asked how he became involved with Face the Future to which he responded, his relationship with BMO Harris and Ellen Costello and Michael Judge;
“Great people in Chicago coming together to impact the lives of young children.”
The event emceed by Dr. Sandra Goldberg of NBC 5 Chicago with Stanley Paul Orchestra on the tunes, presented Jim Staples with the President’s Award for his fundraising efforts and support of the Foundation. A live auction of several luxury items also helped the foundation raise over $300,000 to continue their mission. If you or someone you know would like more information about the work done by Face the Future and/or would like to volunteer, CLICK HERE.
*images Jon Recana
