Held at the Four Seasons Chicago, The Breakthrough Board’s Breakthrough Ball paid tribute to UChicago’s Comprehensive Cancer Center’s commitment to life-saving innovation. Themed “Where Breakthroughs Blossom,” the event featured a bounty of floral decor to reflect sentiments of hope and growth as the Breakthrough Board welcomed its newest members and celebrated cancer breakthroughs at UChicago.
Bridget Rahr and Anna Smith co-chaired the gala, and Board President Barbara C. Sessions received a standing ovation for her heartfelt speech honoring UChicago’s researchers and the Board. Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, Director of the UChicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, was presented with the Partner in Breakthroughs Award to commemorate his leadership and commitment to cancer research.
During the live auction, guests bid on items including a Barbara Parker gold necklace, a wine dinner for 10 and a weeklong getaway to Vail Village, garnering over $1.3 million to advance cancer research. The evening concluded with a powerful film created by the Board’s longtime partner and presenting sponsor Ogily, highlighting personal victories over cancer at UChicago.
Miranda Maxfield, Molly Curley, Meghan Ryan and Katherine Corigliano
Brooke Jones and Melissa Scott Nelson
Steve Baker and Jill DeMarlo
Bridget Rahr and Anna Smith
Jane Chun, Lesley Kompare, Kim Kort, Hannah Steadman and Shannon Traylor
Jennifer and David Rhind
Photography by: photos 1, 2, 3 by JACLYN SIMPSON; photos 4, 5, 6 by JESSICA TAMPAS
