The Founders' Board of Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago hosted another record-breaking fundraiser for its 66th Annual Dinner on the Bluff and Pro Am Golf Championship recently. Over 510 guests gathered at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff, to enjoy cocktails and dinner overlooking Lake Michigan.
The dinner highlighted the Lurie Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and rigorous donating ‘under the tent,’ paired with the support of The Aldridge Family, Wintrust, The Dover Foundation, The Murphy Family, Packaging Corporation of America, Anne and Kelly Ryan, and countless others, helped to raise over $2.4 M for Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
The evening featured introductions by Dr. Tom Shanley, the President and CEO of Lurie Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Tara Henderson, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Lurie Children’s Hospital. At Dinner on the Bluff, the Ryan family shared their powerful story defined by hope, resilience and the extraordinary care their daughter Madelyn, who battled Leukemia, received from the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
The magical evening preceded the Pro Am Golf Championship at Lake Forest’s Onwentsia Club where 54 golfer foursomes, each paired with a pro, competed to be crowned the 66th Annual Pro Am’s newest winners. The 2026 June Seaman Trophy went to Ed Wehmer, Kim Sobinsky, Angelo Bufalino, Billy Vacala and Pro Danny Watters. Watters is a PGA golf professional best known as the longtime Head Golf Professional at Bob O’Link Golf Club in Highland Park.
Overseeing both events were co-chairs Mary Frances Brumfield and Kristie Szczerba. Jeff Yehle, co-chair of the Men's Golf Committee, and its members led the way for a successful Pro Am Golf Tournament and the Dinner on the Bluff was beautifully executed by dinner co-chairs Melissa Donath and Kate Kelliher. Margie Stineman serves as President of the Founders’ Board.
Together the events raised over $2.4 M to kick off the Founders’ Board $3.5M commitment to Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. As one of the nation’s leading pediatric programs, the Center combines compassionate care with groundbreaking discovery, ensuring every child has access to the very best. This funding will help children like Madelyn have the chance to live healthier lives and embrace a future filled with possibility for themselves and their families.
The Founders' Board of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is dedicated to supporting the hospital’s mission of providing the most advanced and compassionate healthcare for children and their families.
Photo credit: Robin Subar Photography
