CHICAGO – With the support of some 1,000 guests, the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation’s Wings to Cure Gala helped raise vital funds to accelerate high-impact translational research conducted at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Now in its fourth year, the black-tie event was held in the charming Aon Grand Ballroom on November 16 at Chicago’s famous Navy Pier. The evening was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Tina Mantis, HCRF board member and gala co-chair, and HCRF founding member Jay Michael, who passed away from cancer.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful with the outpour of the one thousands guests who have joined us this evening to give hope, love, and faith to those affected by this horrible cancer. My dear friends, cancer doesn’t spare any faith, race, gender, the poor, the rich, or the noble. It is a global epidemic that can strike anyone, anytime, and without any warning,” HCRF Founding Chair, Eleni Bousis said. “Enough is enough…united and empowered, we can achieve gratifying results,” she said.

The HCRF supports interdisciplinary research teams, empowering scientists to address urgent questions in the fields of cancer biology and oncology in innovative ways. More specifically, the HCRF offers support to the team of Dr. Leonidas C. Platanias, who is director of the Lurie Cancer Center, as well as the Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin and Elizabeth Lurie Professor of Oncology. “We will embark on writing history and conquering this detrimental illness,” Bousis said. “We applaud

Dr. Platanias’s research work focuses on cytokine signaling pathways in malignant cells, and the targeting of such pathways for the treatment of leukemias. He has published more than 320 papers, and his research has been continuously funded by the National Cancer Institute for over 25 years.

Dr. Platanias’s research work focuses on cytokine signaling pathways in malignant cells, and the targeting of such pathways for the treatment of leukemias. He has published more than 320 papers, and his research has been continuously funded by the National Cancer Institute for over 25 years.

“For many cancers, we don’t have magic treatments yet, but that’s exactly what we are trying to do with research, and because of the technology of today, we have great opportunities, Dr. Platanias said, addressing gala attendees. “Supporting research today can literally save lives. Research matters so much…your support here literally will have an impact that will save a life sometime in the future,” he said.

together with affiliated hospitals, the Lurie Cancer Center treats more than 10,000 new cancer cases each year. “I want to thank our patients who are our real heroes fighting this terrible disease, and we will help them to win,” Dr. Platanias said.

Gala Masters of Ceremonies were WFLD-TV FOX 32 sports broadcaster Lou Canellis and actor and director Robert Krantz, who spoke about their personal experiences with cancer among family members.

This year’s HCRF Highlight a Scientist Award was given to Dr. Frank D. Eckerdt, who has created a brain cancer model using mice to study real life progression of the disease. “I am grateful to be the recipient of this award. We would not be here without the relentless effort of the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation, who is doing such impactful work,” Dr. Eckerdt said. “This foundation has been instrumental to allow us to do groundbreaking research.”

“Highlight a Scientist Award” recipient Dr. Frank D. Eckerdt, HCRF Chair Eleni Bousis, HCRF Honorary Chair Nicole Boufis, and Dr. Leonidas Platanias. (Photo: courtesy of Furla Studio)

Honorable guests included Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Mariyana Spyropoulos, and Consul General of Greece in Chicago Ekaterina Dimakis, among others. The evening included dinner and live music, as well as a silent and live auction featuring a meet and greet with Giannis ‘The Greek Freak’ Antetokounmpo, and various travel experiences.

In 2018, the HCRF raised over $3.5 million to benefit research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, according to a Northwestern Medicine statement. Next year’s Wings to Cure Gala will be held at the Hilton Chicago on November 14, 2020.

In 2018, the HCRF raised over $3.5 million to benefit research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, according to a Northwestern Medicine statement. Next year’s Wings to Cure Gala will be held at the Hilton Chicago on November 14, 2020.