One of the biggest and Chicago power player attracting gala on the Chicago social calendar, The Lurie Children’s 59th Annual Children’s Ball hosted by the Children’s Research Fund, took place December 2, at the Hilton Chicago. The see and be seen black tie event, where individual tickets goes for $1,000, drawing leaders and future leaders in Chicago’s philanthropic, corporate, society scene raised 3.75 million which will support pediatric medical research at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Lurie Children’s. The man who the Manne Children’s Research Institute is named after, Stanley Manne was not the only big name in attendance. Mayor Emanuel made an appearance as well as Bob Vasa, UBS Chicago’s Assistant Market Area Head with Malin Vasa, Eric Smith who is Fifth Third Bank’s Market President, Lester and Renee Crown patriarchs of the Crown family, to name a few.
Chris Keogh and Trish Rooney with Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Lester Crown, Laura Keidan Martin, Renee Crown and Craig Martin
Guests began the night with cocktail reception before heading into the Hilton Chicago’s International Ballroom for the evening’s lineup which included dinner, live entertainment by the Larry King Orchestra and a special performance by Children’s Ball Patient Champion, Olivia Ports.
Olivia Ports
This year’s Children’s Ball, themed “Rewriting the Possibilities” was co-chaired by Laura and Craig Martin and John Simpson.
2017 Children’s Ball Co-Chairs John H. Simpson, Laura and Craig Martin
You’ll remember we covered the unofficial kickoff to the ball at Barney’s annual
One of the night’s highlights was a video presentation that shared the heartwarming story of Taylor Peterson, a patient at Lurie Children’s. Taylor Peterson was diagnosed and treated for Spinal Muscular Atrophy at Lurie Children’s, thanks to research and a new therapy being conducted at Lurie Children’s.
Funds raised from the 59th Annual Children’s Ball, which drew 1,000 guests, will go towards the Children’s Research Fund’s five-year, $10 million commitment to the full spectrum of research conducted at the Manne Research Institute.
Trish Rooney, Wendy Olt, Tonya Hillenbrand, Schuyler Levin, Nooshin Felsenthal, and Danielle Kaufman
Tracey Patterson and Laura Keidan Martin
Stanley Manne, Pam Stamataky, Fren Lentini Manne, Kim Jones, Marit and Jacques Bohbot
Rebecca Johnston and Eve Rogers
Mike and Kristina Nicolas, Brad Jarol and Schuyler Levin
John H. Simpson and Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Joe and Jay Scoby with Sean Conroy and Nora Daley Conroy
Eric Smith, Stan Rosendahl, Desiree Buford
Dr. Tom Shanely with wife, Maureen, and Lisa and Seth Prostic
Devanee and Alex Washington
Debbie Jarol and Julie Barrish
David Rudis and Pauline Schultz, Mary and Paul Yovovitch, Robin and Mike Zafirovski
John H. Simpson, Laura and Craig Martin
Chris and Karen Segal
Dr. Derek J. Robinson, Dr. Shawn Robinson, Darrel Hackett, Kim Smith, Eric Smith
Bob and Malin Vasa
Benita Romano, Gabrielle Romano, Kathy Graham, Florence Ann Romano, Natalie Pace
Ben Drescher, Arielle Neiger, Zach Smith, Rachel Drescher Smith, Dennis Drescher, Donna Drescher, Jacob Drescher, Jessica Drescher
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