By Judy Carmack Bross
Katherine Corigliano, Briar Oleferchik, and Miranda Maxfield at The Breakthrough Board’s September addressing session.
A stellar theme pairs with the passion of Breakthrough Board members planning a wondrous evening to celebrate cutting edge cancer research at UChicago Medicine. Over 450 guests are anticipated for the Breakthrough Ball November 15th at the Four Seasons Chicago. Champions of medical innovations and absolute fundraising forces, Board President Jennifer Rhind and Ball Chair Laura Werner spoke recently about their motivation.
Ball Chair Laura Werner and Executive Committee Member Karen Slimmon at the October Board Meeting.
“What’s our board’s secret sauce? It’s our belief that what we do matters – and the fact that this group dives in and rolls up its sleeves. The brilliant researchers at UChicago are uniquely poised to advance discovery in historic ways,” Werner said. “Our invitation tries to express the wonder that drives mankind in seeking to understand something as infinite as the heavens or as infinitesimally minute as a tiny protein or molecule. We are a community that believes in driving innovation and charting a path together.”
New Board Member Lindsay Watson, left, with Diane Reilly, Leslie McLean, Jean Atchison, Nicole Drusinsky, and Kristin Atchison.
Jennifer Rhind spoke with us after members gathered to address invitations:
The invitation reveal always feels a bit like Christmas as the board sees Ogilvy’s creativity and the Ball Chair’s vision come together. This year’s invitation is one of my all-time favorites. Not only is the design visually stunning, but the tagline also reflects the real and pressing challenge we face: advancing cancer research in the face of significant funding cuts. With the recent reduction in research funding, our board feels a heightened urgency to engage donors and support this critical mission. Working with Laura has been especially meaningful and rewarding — not only for her leadership, but for the way she’s welcomed and engaged so many of our new board members. Under Laura’s guidance, they have flourished in their roles and have brought incredible energy and creativity to the ball planning process.We are truly fortunate to have Laura at the helm. With her exceptional talent and expertise, the Breakthrough Ball is sure to be a fabulous evening and an incredible success.
Nancy Gupta and Sonia Boudreau’s first look at the 2025 Breakthrough Ball Invitation.
The brilliant black tie event will include dinner, an auction and outstanding wine raffle, and dancing to Maggie Speaks.
Board Members Sa Zhao Louvot with 2024 Breakthrough Ball Co-Chair Anna Smith.
One of the keys to the board’ s tremendous success—over $1.3 million was raised at last year’s Ball—are the personal stories shared of both patients and their doctors which keeps the love alive all night long. It would be hard to find another board more wedded to its mission while supporting other board members whose lives or families have been impacted by cancer. Hard to explain but anyone who has attended a Breakthrough Ball has felt it and been moved by member sincerity and commitment.
At last year’s Ball, the President Barb Sessons courageously announced her own cancer diagnosis, sharing her trust in the early detection, clinical trials and treatment that UChicago provides. Sessions now serves on the Board’s Scientific Advisory Committee whose thought leaders keep the board informed of both breakthroughs and best practices.
Board member Bridget Rahr models the stunning Barbara Parker Fine Jewelry diamond and lapis necklace to be offered in the live auction.
The auction items are not to be missed and include a priceless Churchill package in London and beyond featuring lunch with Randolph Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill’s great-grandson and President of the International Churchill Society, followed by a private “behind the glass” tour of The Churchill War Rooms. Also, a visit to the Wallace Collection to view “Churchill – The Painter”, showcasing over fifty of Churchill’s paintings in the largest show of its kind since the 1950’s unlikely ever to be repeated. The winner goes next to Chartwell for a private tour with the curator of Churchill’s beloved country home, where in the 1930’s he laid the groundwork for his titanic struggle with Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Chartwell was his spiritual home for over forty years – as he once said, “A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted.” And finally, a private tour with the curator of the Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College Cambridge and includes high table lunch at the College. The package includes three nights at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, overlooking historic Portman Square.
Other one-of-a-kind auction items include other travel excitement. Bid on a four-night stay for four at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana’s big sky country with round-trip transportation, or an escape to San Miguel de Allende to the five-bedroom Casa Tres Leones, staffed with a cook and housekeeper. located a few blocks from the town’s beautiful central Jardin.
Jennifer Rhind with 2024 Ball co-chair Bridget Rahr. taken at The Breakthrough Board kickoff party in September.
The last unique auction item couldn’t be more in keeping with the Ball’s stellar theme: a VIP telescope tour for 10 of the Plane Wave factory outside of Detroit where the most advanced telescopes in the world are crafted. The package includes a “smart telescope” to take home to share the wonders of the night sky as well as a second telescope to be donated to the school of the winner’s choice.
Jennifer Rhind told us:
“In addition, we will be offering a fabulous rare wine raffle which is being organized by Miranda Maxfield. It includes a fabulous array of rare and exceptional wines, with tickets being sold by the sensational raffle sales team. We are filling the room with our generous and dedicated supporters and we are getting excited for a brilliantly successful evening celebrating breakthroughs.”
Jean Atchinson and Director of Development Margaret Hermanek at an addressing session
To make a reservation visit: rsvp@thebreakthroughboard.org.
