H Foundation Supporters Celebrate Cancer Advances at 22nd Annual Goombay Bash
More than 1,000 supporters and friends of The H Foundation came together on Saturday, July 27, at the 22nd Annual Goombay Bash held at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. The H Foundation’s Caribbean-themed event raised a record more than $1.1 million to support basic science cancer research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Highlights of the event, presented by Becknell Industrial in honor of Nelson “Fritz” Hartrich, included special awards and a humorous keynote by celebrity guest of honor David Spade, who is a comedian, actor, and a former cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
Longtime H Foundation supporter and advocate Bill Gildin, president of Satco Products Inc., received the Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award. Bill’s wife, Melissa, fought a rare cancer for 13 years and passed in early 2024. Bill and Melissa lived their lives as extraordinary leaders, facing the disease with strength, determination, and grace. Craig Cunningham, chief operating officer of the Autobahn Country Club, served as this year’s distinguished Goombay Bash Honorary Chair.
Legendary Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg received the H Foundation’s inaugural Eye of the Tiger Award. In January 2024, Sandberg announced he was undergoing treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Although he was not able to attend in person, The H Foundation awarded him the Eye of the Tiger award as Sandberg and his courageous battle with cancer epitomize the fighting spirit at the heart of the song.
Since its inception in 2001, The H Foundation has been an ardent champion and philanthropic partner of Lurie Cancer and has been actively committed to making a difference in the fight against cancer.
Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, who serves as director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and the Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin and Elizabeth Lurie Professor of Oncology, thanked everyone at the Goombay Bash for supporting The H Foundation and for helping to accelerate crucial early-stage cancer research at Northwestern. He marveled that the H Foundation’s $12 million to date in philanthropic funds have leveraged more than $250 million in federal grant awards to Lurie Cancer Center.
“The H Foundation is different than other groups. They have chosen to support basic science cancer research—studying what causes cells to become cancerous and to find ways to attack cancer using new approaches. The H Foundation’s funds give us the intellectual flexibility to pursue novel research concepts and new treatments for cancer. Their support has a great impact today, but it will matter even more over the next years and decades because people will be alive as a result of the fundamental research initiated through H Foundation support,” he said.
Dr. Platanias also took time to recognize Ann Lurie, the visionary philanthropist known for her transformative gifts benefiting cancer treatment and research at Lurie Cancer Center and beyond, who passed away in June.
“I want to take a moment to mention Ann Lurie, who recently passed away and who was a remarkable human being and philanthropic leader. Ann did so much for all of us and for humanity, and we are forever grateful to her. She was steadfast and generous in her support of Lurie Cancer Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Gilda’s Club, The H Foundation, and so many organizations, including efforts in Africa and all over the world,” he said.
The H Foundation celebrated Ann Lurie as honorary chair of the 20th Annual Goombay Bash in 2022.
The H Foundation was founded by a group of friends as a tribute to their friend Pam Herts, who lost her battle with breast cancer in February 2001 at the age of 31. With the success of the 2024 Goombay Bash, the foundation will have raised a total of more than $13 million for Lurie Cancer Center through its events and fundraising outreach. The H Foundation and its thousands of supporters continue on as a fundraising movement that is committed to the message and experience that “Cancer is Personal to Us.”