By Judy Carmack Bross
David and Jennifer Rhind
The celestial 2025 Breakthrough Ball proved there’s no limit when you aim for the stars with compassionate commitment to driving innovation in cancer treatment, diagnosis, and outcomes. Over 500 donors, family, patients and researchers gathered at The Four Seasons as the Breakthrough Board celebrated cutting-edge cancer research at UChicago Medicine. The spectacular event, chaired by Laura Werner, raised over $1.84 million.
President Jennifer Rhind, David and Alexandra Fox and Event Chair Laura Werner
Central to the evening was a moving film created by Ogilvy which captured the personal stories of cancer patients and their doctors at UChicago, keeping the hope and love alive all night long.
Kunle Odunsi, Ari Rosenberg and Nishant Agrawal
We asked Board President Jennifer Rhind, whose words capture the passionate commitment of the Breakthrough Board members, to tell us about the evening.
“Once again, Ogilvy’s video brilliantly captured the inspirational stories of three patients who had been successfully treated at UChicago due to significant advances in cancer research. The video was moving and hopeful, and conveyed how patients at UChicago are not just treated, but truly cared for. Having those patients and doctors in the ballroom beautifully amplified why we do what we do.
President Jennifer Rhind
Bridget Rahr, Diane Reilly and Elizabeth Luttig
“This year we had a fabulous new auctioneer–Alyssa Quinlan from Freeman’s – who brought her superb expertise and wonderful energy to oversee the evening’s program. Alyssa was gracious and charismatic, and we were so pleased that her recognition of each donor reflected the board’s gratitude to all our guests and supporters.
Jane and Teddy Chun
Also foundational to the Breakthrough Ball’s success was a tremendously generous challenge pledge from a cherished supporter which significantly drove participation in the Paddle raise. The donor pledged $50K if the Board achieved 50 $1K donations. The momentum was extraordinary and the match was substantially exceeded, resulting in the most successful Paddle raise to date at $450K!”
Alexandra Fox, Cynthia Chereskin and David Fox
“The evening also featured a new initiative during cocktail hour when Breakthrough Board stars Kristi Nuelle and Barbara Sessions led a super silent mini-auction. They brought the house down and captivated the crowd, auctioning off wonderful items with irreverence and some madcap fun.
Rex Sessions and Dede Koldyke
Diane Thomas, Kristi Nuelle and Barbara Sessions
Ball Chair Laura Werner was thrilled with the success of these new initiatives, as well as the tremendous results of the Live auction.
“The Live auction generated much excitement and robust bidding, and the energy in the room was spectacular. Five items were offered including an extraordinary Winston Churchill experience in London, curated by Lee Pollock; a stunning Barbara Parker Celestial Charms necklace; a luxury stay for four at the exceptional Ranch at Rock Creek; an exclusive Planet Wave astronomy experience; and a one week stay at a magnificent, staffed house in the heart of magical San Miguel de Allende.
Thomas McInerney, Ezra and Lily Gardner
Giles Demeuleneare during Partner in Breakthroughs Award
We asked Rhind to share highlights from her remarks, which focused on the critical need for resources to support the promising cancer researchers at UChicago.
Jenny and Fred Schuler
“They are fighting on behalf of every person who may one day face a cancer diagnosis – be it a stranger or those closest to us.
“Cancer research is at a crossroads: on the one hand, research funding is in peril, with critical government support in disarray; and, on the other hand, the power and promise of technology is making advances in cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment tantalizingly close.
Laura and Michael Werner
Cotton and Kelly Harrold, Tyler and Sean Mansfield
“It is at this moment that we step forward, determined to support the extraordinary researchers at UChicago. Thank you to everyone in this room tonight for partnering with us in our mission.
Margarita Chavez and Mark Tatro
“To the doctors and researchers – thank you for taking risks, working tirelessly both as clinicians and as researchers, and for treating and most importantly – caring for – deeply caring for – those we love and those that are important to us. Thank you for your tenacity, and for leveraging every capability at the University of Chicago to advance cancer breakthroughs and drive innovation.”
Mollie Ring and Bagi Errabolu
Auctioneer Alyssa Quinlan and Kathry
Laura Werner presented the Board’s Partner in Breakthroughs award to David Fox of The Northern Trust, noting, “The Northern Trust has not only been a steadfast and generous ally in our mission over the past decade, but has also facilitated smart philanthropy and helped so many of us achieve our individual philanthropic goals. We are tremendously grateful to David Fox, and the leadership at The Northern Trust, for their commitment to investing in our community, supporting initiatives that are important to us, and for their generous support of cancer research at UChicago Medicine.”
Lee Pollock
We were delighted that David and Alexandra Fox were with us to accept the award and celebrate the advances that Northerns’ philanthropy has made possible.
David and Alexandra Fox, Laura and Michael Werner
Basking in the glow of a successful event, Jennifer Rhind shared her thoughts:
“What a gift it has been to be president of this exceptional board! I am truly overwhelmed by the talent, commitment, and generosity of our ball chair, our board members and our donors. In our 58th gala year, we are so proud to carry on this commitment with such stellar success – and we can’t wait to see what next year’s ball chairs, Pauline Chow and Jane Chun have in store for the 2026 Breakthrough Ball!”
Tracy and Steve Cahillane
For Further information about the Breakthrough Board visit: thebreakthroughboard.org.
Pauline Chow and Matthew Jacob
Diane Thomas, Diane Reilly, Jill Gosden Pollock and Linda Finkel
