Highland Park Charity Drive made a difference
Each year, the Highland Park Charity Drive proves you can give and also receive. During this major school event, which lasts more than a month, students select one charity for the focus of many diverse fundraising activities. The Rory David Deutsch Foundation was fortunate to be selected for the 2003 charity drive. Students organize various fundraising activities that take place before, during, and after school. Parents, faculty, local businesses, and others from the community get involved as well. A multitude of time, effort, energy went into this incredible event. Generating $88,000 to help fund research focused on pediatric brain tumors, it was one of the school’s most successful ever.
“Rory’s Star” benefited continued research
Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, whose collections have appeared at The Art Institute, Museum of Modern Art in New York, and The National Museum of American Art, just to name a few, created a stunning etching called “Rory’s Star.” The etching was used to create a limited edition of only forty lithographs, which were donated to The Foundation to sell at $800 each and direct proceeds to tis ongoing support of pediatric cancer research.
Rory Award named new winners
Submitting expressions of good citizenship for consideration of The Rory Award, students at Indian Trail Elementary School put forward a terrific effort. Reinforcing the school’s ongoing CARE program, which ensures that every child feels valued and respected, The Rory Award went to second-grader Josh Hoffman for his superb drawing and fifth-grader Emily Goodman for her inspiring essay. As always, all of those who participated are true winners.
Children’s Memorial made meaningful progress
Generous donations made to The Foundation continued to support research and treatment work at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Under the direction of Dr. Stewart Goldman, Medical Director of Neuro Oncology, the dedicated research team at Children’s treated children with brain stem gliomas using a novel regimen that combines the drug Thalidomide with standard radiation and carboplatin chemotherapy in an effort to kill cancer cells and increase glioma survival rates. An initial data report included news that one child undergoing this treatment showed no signs of cancer progression more than two years after being diagnosed. “This is very hopeful especially when you consider the fact that 96% of children with brain stem gliomas lose their lives within two years of diagnosis,” said Dr. Goldman. “To be progression free at this point is very, very rare. We remain cautious in our optimism, however.”
In addition to this treatment, Dr. Goldman continued to focus on other innovative and promising areas of research. He expressed excitement over a new technique his team was investigating called, “Convexion Enhanced Chemotherapy. “We have taken brain tumor cells and have been able to grow them in the laboratory,” Dr. Goldman explained. “Once this is accomplished, it allows us to use the Convexion technique to infuse chemotherapy directly into the tumor. The advantage here is that we are attacking the tumor directly with small amounts of chemotherapy while avoiding toxicity to the whole body. This could represent a new therapeutic option for our young patients with regard to treatment and quality of life,” he continued. “We are excited about the possibilities here. We need to work further on enhancing techniques and we need specialized expertise. We are hoping to be able to add a physician scientist to the team in the near future to work with us in the lab on refining Convexion methodology.”
Duke reported achievements and optimism
As it has every year, the Brain Tumor Center of Duke University explained in a letter how the funds The Rory David Deutsch Foundation has contributed are being used to find causes and cures for pediatric brain tumors. In the letter, Dr. Bigner, M.D., Ph.D., the Edwin L. Jones Jr. and Lucille Finch Jones Cancer Research Professor at the Center, “We are in a major new era of rapid advances in brain tumor research. The ability to identify molecular targets with…genome technology is allowing us to identify new and previously unknown molecular therapeutic targets in malignant brain tumor cells.” The letter discussed other advances, including important work being done with a group of drugs called “small molecular inhibitors” and an epidemiology study that has been launched investigating some of the potential causes of childhood and adult brain tumors. The letter concluded by expressing great appreciation to The Foundation, which is certainly returned as we work together to move forward in this battle against childhood brain tumors.”
Campus Colors demonstrated its gifts
Campus Colors scored once again for Rory with two more successful fundraising events in 2003. First, the nation’s largest retailer of collegiate licensed clothing and accessories took to the court as an eager participant in the highly successful Highland Park High School Charity Drive. This was followed with a slam-dunk raffle staged before the start of the NCAA “March Madness” basketball tournament. Three Campus Colors locations, Highland Park, Hinsdale, and Naperville, took part, offering customers making a purchase of $50 or more a shot at a #23 North Carolina basketball jersey autographed by Michael Jordan. Raising $3,500, it was another brilliant game plan that benefited the work of The Foundation.
Olga’s Spa continued beauty of giving
Second to none for facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps and other beautifying services, Olga’s Spa is also about nurturing the human spirit. Olga Nisenboim and staff continued their giving tradition by raising $8,600 for The Foundation. “We participated in the Highland Park Charity Drive, donating to The Foundation 10 percent of all product sales during one week in March, 2003,” Olga explained. “We also had our annual spa day, where the shop donates 100 percent of the revenues we generate to Rory’s Foundation.”
The Karyn Collection carried on its support
The Karyn Collection in Highland Park extended its generosity of donating a portion of its Beanie Baby sales to The Rory David Deutsch Foundation by turning to a popular new item in its line, the “Beanie Bopper,” and donating $1 from the sale of every one sold. Thanks to sales of Beanie Babies, Beanie Boppers and other items, The Karyn Collection donated in excess of $1,000 in 2002. Clearly, it’s the little things in life that count and add to the strength of The Foundation.
Proeh and her troupers drew more applause
The Lake Forest Children’s Theatre Company not only gives every child a chance to star, it helps other kids by supporting the fight against pediatric brain tumors. This year, the troupe performed “Bye Bye Birdie” in January and “Oliver” in May. As in previous years, the company donated a portion of show ticket sales to The Foundation. With the two performances in 2003, the curtain will rose on $2,400 in generous contributions. “What is equally important as how the kids perform,” said Margo Proeh, the enthusiastic theatre director, “is how much they gain by participating and helping out.”
Saks made giving fashionable
Saks Fifth Avenue in Highland Park again opened its doors to a private shopping event and fashion show for The Foundation. Staged in June, ten percent of all purchases were donated to help create brighter tomorrows for children with brain tumors. The percentage of the evening sales amounted to nearly $2,700.
Rory Day at JAB Produce delivered again
The day before the 4th of July weekend was a big one for JAB and The Rory David Deutsch Foundation. As in year’s past, the company donated its revenues from this day, which totaled $5,278.76 for The Foundation.
Kessler, CD City struck rhythm for hope
While Steve Kessler continued to promote the work of The Foundation and the story of Rory at his distinctive store, CD City in Highland Park, he also shared the success of his four-piece band. This year, Steve accepted contributions to The Foundation at his store and also at his live performances with the band. Thanks to Steve, the beat goes on for those suffering from a devastating disease.
3 on 3 hoops scored for Rory
With a theme of “3 on 3 For What Tomorrow Can Be,” Highland Park High School hosted this biennial competition on September 14, 2003. More than 200 young players participated in the day-long event that raised $35,000 for The Rory David Deutsch Foundation. Over 500 adults and family members came to cheer for their favorite players.
Peter Cetera offered evening of song and support
“An Evening with Peter Cetera” was an evening to remember for those who landed tickets to this rare performance by the singing star. It was also an evening for Rory, as proceeds of the October event at the Rosemont Theatre were donated to the work of The Foundation.