WHAT:           Mark your calendars for the 2009 Children’s Ball, the annual black-tie fundraiser sponsored by the Medical Research Institute Council (MRIC) which supports research initiatives at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Magical Moments is the theme of this year’s ball, which will celebrate the special moments when a child’s hope, a parent’s dream and a researcher’s beliefs are realized. This will be an unforgettable evening of dinner, dancing and raising money for an important cause. The Children’s Ball caps off the year-long fundraising campaign of the MRIC which is a principal benefactor of the Children’s Memorial Research Center.

 

WHO:             Donna Drescher of Glencoe and Debra Marcus of Chicago are co-chairs for this year’s ball, which is expected to attract a crowd of more than 1,200 guests. This year marks the 51st annual edition of this gala fundraiser, one of the most popular social events of the year.

 

WHEN:          Saturday, December 12

                        6:30 p.m. cocktails

                        8:30 p.m. dinner and dancing

 

WHERE:        Hilton Chicago 

                        720 S. Michigan Avenue          

 

TICKETS:      $800 per person ($400 for 35 and under). To purchase tickets or for more information, call 773-975-8760 or visit www.childrensmemorial.org/events

 

WHY:              Children’s Memorial Hospital is recognized as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country by rankings published in U.S. News & World Report. The hospital is currently engaged in the Heroes for Life campaign to raise a minimum of $600 million to help create Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and support its medical and nursing professionals, programs and research. As a not-for-profit charitable organization serving more than 126,000 children annually, Children’s Memorial is largely supported by private donations.

 

CONTACT:    Arla Silverstein, 773-880-4728