Annual Cures Gala Raises 4.1 Million For Cancer Research

GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH

ANNOUNCES $4.1 MILLION RAISED AT ITS 25^TH ANNUAL CURES GALA

“THE GREAT GATEWAY: 25 YEARS OF ILLUMINATING THE WAY TO CURES”

Gateway for Cancer Research, a non-profit dedicated to funding transformational cancer research, raised $4.1 million at its 25^th annual Cures Gala, “The Great Gateway: 25 Years of Illuminating the Way to Cures,” on Saturday, October 15 in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago. 

Gala co-chairs were Richard J Stephenson, the founder of Gateway for Cancer Research and Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), and his wife Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, CTCA Chairman, Functional Medicine.

Guests enjoyed an evening of star-studded entertainment including performances by 16-time Grammy-winner® David Foster, 5-time Grammy-winner CeeLo Green, multi-platinum Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, Grammy-winning artist Michael Bolton, stand-up comedian Sinbad, platinum-selling artists The Tenors and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Peter Cetera.

Gateway founder, Richard J Stephenson, a recognized philanthropic pioneer whose personal passion following the loss of his mother, Mary, to bladder cancer has changed the face of cancer care, received Gateway’s Impact Award for his contribution and tireless dedication to the Gateway mission. 

Since Gateway for Cancer Research was founded 25 years ago, more than 3,000 patient lives in 140+ Gateway-funded clinical trials at institutions worldwide have been directly impacted, and countless more cancer patients have benefited as a result of this critically important work.  The gala showcased many of Gateway’s 57 patient trials currently underway, including a brain cancer trial led by Dr. Sarah Leary from Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Leary is conducting research with children undergoing brain surgery utilizing “Tumor Paint,” which acts like a molecular flashlight for surgeons. This revolutionary drug is given the day before surgery and attaches to tumor tissue and glows under fluorescent light, so doctors can pinpoint the cancerous cells during surgery.

One of the evening’s most moving moments was the appearance of the Coffman family, whose two-year-old son, Hunter, is a thriving and healthy toddler only a few short months after his Tumor Paint-supported brain surgery with Dr. Leary. Hunter’s mom, Laura, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Gateway for making Dr. Leary’s Tumor Paint trial possible, recognizing that far too many children have very different outcomes from similar brain surgery without the benefit of Dr. Leary’s innovative molecular flashlight.

Proceeds from the event specifically support Phase I and Phase II patient trials across cancer types, including breast, blood, lung and brain cancers.

Guests entered a Roaring 20’s setting and enjoyed a custom “Gatsby inspired” menu, designed by renowned Chef Markus Ford. A silent auction and live paddle raise bidding gave attendees the opportunity to donate at the level of their choice to continue the quest for a cure. Individual tickets to the event were $1,000, and guests also had the opportunity to select higher level sponsorships with deluxe VIP packages.

Gateway for Cancer Research proudly acknowledges its premier sponsors: Capricorn Investment Group, LLC; Madha & Rajesh Garg; Andi & Jim Gordon/The Edgewater Funds; Bill and Annie Stephenson Hostelter; Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Kayne Anderson Real Estate Advisors; Darren & Jennie Keller; Robert & Cynthia Mayo Family Foundation; McGuireWoods; N-Jet; Rising Tide Foundation, Riverside; Satter Foundation; Stellar Insurance, LTD; Shawn and Morgan Stephenson; Talent Plus; The Richard Templer Family; and the Thurston Family Foundation.

“Our mission encourages a sense of urgency to accelerate the pace of cancer research,” said Teresa Hall Bartels, president, Gateway for Cancer Research. “Our dedication to investing in novel patient-centric approaches, combined with the growing rate of treatment developments, leads us to believe that together we can conquer cancer in our lifetime.”

About Gateway for Cancer Research℠

Gateway for Cancer Research is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to funding innovative cancer research that helps people with cancer to feel better, live longer and conquer cancer TODAY! Thanks to generous underwriting, 99 cents of every dollar Gateway receives directly funds Phase I and Phase II cancer clinical trials at leading research institutions across the country and abroad. Since 1991, Gateway has supported more than 140 clinical trials and funded millions in breakthrough research. Get involved today by visiting www.GatewayCR.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/demandcures and join the conversation on Twitter @DemandCures, #BeAGateway.

Adventure Stage Lives Up To It's Name With Sinbad: The Untold Tale

The cast of Sinbad plus Bella, the niece of one of the genies-post show Q & A   3/19

We had the great pleasure of checking out Sinbad:   The Untold Tale last weekend.   The production was a multicultural feast, skillfully combining acting and puppetry styles from many lands, and a cast that hails from around the globe.   We particularly loved the illusions based on Japanese Koken work, which comes from traditional Kabuki theater.    People (characters and stage hands) all dressed in black in front of a black background so we don't "see" them as they transform sticks into swords, or fly around on a carpet.  In fact, all of the actors were on stage for almost the whole show, either as characters or black clad magic makers.


Our favorite scenes were the fabulously fun stage combat scenes, especially the clash of the genies.    The fight scenes were uniquely choreographed, and took the characters through an exciting array of hand to hand, staffs and sword fighting.   Effective use of props made comic bookesque metallic energy bursts and streams visible through expert illusions.   We even wholeheartedly believed the illusion, as a life sized genie was pulled into a tiny bottle and imprisoned.


It was especially excellent to see a show with such a rockin' female co-lead.    Sinbad's daughter, Ittifaq is no princess in a coma or fairy tale girl, sitting home waiting to be rescued.    She takes an active part in the adventures and is truly her daddy's girl.   Sure she needed a bit of saving, when she fell for a trap, but turned right around and rescued her rescuer.


We're big fans of literature based productions, but Adventure Stage took the classic, tried and true Aladdin and Arabian Nights tales to the next level, with their U.S. premier of Charles Way's Sinbad:  The Untold Tale.


**Note:   Recommended for ages 9 and up (4th thru 8th grades).
Children under age 5 are not permitted in the theater.

SINBAD: THE UNTOLD TALE cast includes Esteban Cruz (Abu Nuwas), Dana Dajani (Ittifaq), Adam El-Sharkawi (Sinbad the Sailor), Mildred Langford (Jan Shah), Mike Ooi (Silent Genie) and Edgar Sanchez (Sinbad the Porter).   


In the post show Q & A, all the actors had a chance to tell the audience where they were originally from, and there were an impressive array of countries represented, and none repeated.   The actors also shared when they began acting, and my kids were particularly impress that half the cast caught the theatre bug as early as kindergarten!


"Filled with magical moments, thrilling combat and awe-inspiring special effects" - Centerstage Chicago

Ittifaq, the pampered daughter of famed sailor Sinbad of the Seven Seas, bristles under her father’s overprotective care and longs for an adventure of her own. Young Sinbad, an orphaned porter, lives on the streets and relies on his clever wit to survive. The two meet by chance just before a bitter sorceress casts a poison cloud over the city of Baghdad. The unlikely duo soon find themselves facing good and evil genies, daring swordfights, magic boats and flying carpets. But can Sinbad and Ittifaq defeat the sorceress in time, or will their beloved city be destroyed forever? 

U.S. Premiere

SINBAD: THE UNTOLD TALE

Written by Charles Way
Directed by Amanda Delheimer

March 19 - April 16, 2011
Education Matinees
Weekdays: 10:30 a.m. March 22, 24, 31 and
April 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15
Previews: 10:30 a.m. March 17th and 18th
For more information about booking school groups and our Second Show Discount, click here.
Tickets for these shows may be purchased by the general public, however, they are not available on-line. Please call 773.342.4141 to buy.

Family Matinees
Saturdays 2:00 p.m.  
March 19 (Ice Cream Social after the show)
March 26
April 2
April 9 (Performance is part of ASC's Spring Fling)
April 16
Special Evening Performance: Friday April 8th at 7:00 p.m.

Learning Guide
Our Education Department produces a Learning Guide for all of our productions. This text is FULL of fun background information about the show, pre-show and post-show discussion questions, as well as art and language activities. While we primarily make it for our educators, we think parents should check it out as well. Click here to join the fun!

Read the Book, Join the Conversation!
For every production we do at ASC we host a book discussion at Sulzer Regional Library. This year, we are proud to also be hosting at the brand new West Town Branch of the Chicago Public Library. Check the details below for book and registration information. Each book discussion participant receives buy-one-get-one-free tickets to our upcoming production of Sinbad; The Untold Tale.

March 29, 2011 - 4:00pm
West Town Branch - 1625 W. Chicago Avenue
Book Discussion of A Fistful of Pearls and Other Stories from Iraq / retold by Elizabeth Laird 
Call 312.743.0450 to register.

About the Playwright
Charles Way has written over forty plays, many of them for young people, including Sleeping Beauty, The Search for Odysseus (produced by Adventure Stage Chicago in 2007) and A Spell of Cold Weather, all of which were nominated as Best Children's Play by the Writers Guild of Great Britain. His play Merlin and the Cave of Dreams was nominated for a Helen Hayes award for Outstanding New Play. He has recently published the book collection Classic Fairytales Retold for the Stage. Mr. Way's play Red Red Shoes was named 2004's Best Play for Young People by the Arts Council of England. His plays for adults include a well-known version of Bruce Chatwin's On the Black Hill and an adaptation of Independent People by Halldor Laxness. Recent new plays include Still Life and The Long Way Home. 


See Sinbad the sailor and Sinbad the porter and expand your horizons!