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What We Have Done...

2005

In December 2005 we held the 1^st Annual Gray Tie Ball.  It was a dressy gala affair at Casa Royale Banquets in Des Plaines that included dinner, dancing to a live band, silent auction, open bar and presentations by Dr. Jeff Raizer, neuro-oncologist from Northwestern Memorial Hospital. HOK Architectural firm was our $5000 sponsor!  It was a great success!  From that event we were able to raise awareness and donate in Lori’s name to The Brain Tumor Research Fund at Northwestern University in Chicago and to the American Brain Tumor Association in Des Plaines. Photos from the 2005 Ball.            

Please join us for our 2^nd Annual Gray Tie Ball on December 1^st, 2006!

2006

In January 2006 we attended the ‘Together in Hope’ Brain Tumor Conference in Tampa, Florida held by the Florida Brain Tumor Association and the American Brain Tumor Association.  We were privileged to have them show our 5 minute film entitled – ‘live, love, laaf!’ which was made for the 1^st Annual Gray Tie Ball in 2005.  The film encourages viewers to live life to the fullest, love deeply and unconditionally and laaf (Lori Arquilla Andersen Foundation) through life’s toughest challenges.  A moving and motivational film depicting Lori’s journey; moves viewers to imagine the cure for brain cancer and motivates them towards making a difference. Photos from the Conference.

April 29: we had the 1^st Annual Adopt-A-Cause 1 Mile Walk or Roll for Brain Cancer at Friendship Park in Des Plaines. Despite the weather, we had a good turn out for this event. Skates (Wolves mascot) & Benny the Bull entertained. Dr. Jeff Raizer & his family and Alderwoman Rosemary Argus attended.  A huge thanks to all of the walkers, pledgers, donors and volunteers!  A special thanks to our Top Fundraiser - Lea Roberts.  As top fundraiser she was the winner of 4 Chicago Bulls tickets.  Everyone involved made this very first annual walk quite a success!  We are looking forward to an even bigger event next year! Please adopt this cause every year when we have our annual event!  Photos from the Walk.

May 1-3: we headed to Washington, D.C. with the North American Brain Tumor Coalition for Brain Tumor Action Week, May 1-7.  We spoke to Congressional staff on behalf of brain tumor issues. The more people speaking up for the cause – the louder we become and the more we will be heard! We met with Cathy Hurwit, Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; Janice Cotter, legislative aide to Congressman Henry Hyde; Molly Dunn, legislative aide to Senator Dick Durbin; and Michael Robertson, legislative aide to Senator Barak Obama. Senator Obama was able to take a few minutes out of his busy day to talk with us personally! Photos from Washington.

May 1-7:  Early April we learned that our request to Des Plaines Mayor Anthony Arredia was approved.  The mayor signed a proclamation making the first week of May ‘Brain Tumor Action Week in Des Plaines’. We also received proclamations from the mayors of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Mt. Prospect, the city of Chicago and Governor Blagojevich for the state of Illinois!! Photos of the Proclamations.

May 6: LAAF joined forces with Six Flags Great America to offer “Coasters for a Cause” Charity Day.  LAAF sold tickets for this day for ONLY $25!  A fun day was had by all at a great price!! Great America donated a portion of the purchase to our organization. Twenty charitable organizations participated with LAAF selling the most tickets (approximately 400 tickets)!!  Photos from Coasters for a Cause!

June 12: LAAF was awarded $5,000 from the UPS Supply Chain Solutions Bensenville office. This was their 1^st grant ever awarded through their “Neighbor to Neighbor” program.

July: LAAF joined the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce.

November: LAAF President, Linda Magiera, was interviewed by the “Community Connections” talk show on Comcast, several local papers and North Shore Magazine.

December 1: LAAF held the 2^nd Annual Gray Tie Ball with 145 in attendance. Brain Cancer survivor David Bouhls shared his journey, strength and humor. Dr. Raizer spoke about the strides in Brain Cancer research, updated us on Northwestern's Brain Tumor Research Fund and spoke from the heart about his hopes for our foundation and about the importance of bringing awareness of this devastating disease to the community.  Once again, HOK Architectural firm was a $5000 sponsor.

2007

April 2: holding a raffle drawing. Oprah’s personal chef, Art Smith, has donated a 6 course dinner for 6 guests at his home valued at $4,000.

April 29 – May 5: Brain Tumor Action Week .The plan is to educate Congressional staff on brain tumor issues. Beginning in 2006, LAAF has been working with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to seek passage of a House Resolution (also known as a Proclamation) to recognize May as National Brain Cancer Awareness Month. This year, we have reached out to Congressman Peter Roskam to gain bipartisan support for this resolution. A proclamation will help educate the public about brain cancer. We have again received proclamations making the first week of May ‘Brain Tumor Action Week’from Mayor Arredia of Des Plaines, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago and Governor Blagojevich of Illinois!

May 19: will join forces with Six Flags Great America to sell discounted tickets for ONLY $26.

June 2: we held our 2^nd Annual walk. This year LAAF partnered with the Des Plaines Park District to run/walk in the 'CHASE TO THE TASTE' 5K at the Taste of Des Plaines. We were excited to be the very first Participating Charity in the 2^nd Annual Chase to the Taste 5K RUN/WALK.

June 11:  we held a raffle drawing at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce at 12:30 pm. 1^st Prize: Oprah’s personal chef, Art Smith, has donated a 6 course dinner for 6 guests at his home – prize value $4,000, winner Bill & Kim Franz. 2^nd Prize: White Sox tickets for Sunday, 9/9/07, including parking, Stadium pass & buffet for 4 - prize value $300, winner Linda Deany. 3^rd Prize: Sunday brunch at Chicago Yacht Club for 4 – prize value $150, winner Peggy Diederich

September 22: LAAF has again joined forces with Six Flags Great America to sell discounted tickets.

December 1: LAAF held the 3^rd Annual Gray Tie Ball. Despite the inclement weather, there were approximately 150 people in attendance. Dr. Raizer gave an excellent presentation on Brain Cancer research. He compared LAAF to being “the Komen organization for Brain Cancer”. Survivor Shawn Danu shared her journey and last year’s speaker survivor David Boulhs gave us an update of his journey in the last year. Once again, HOK architectural firm was a $5,000 sponsor.

2008

April 23:  LAAF was invited to speak at a Congressional Hearing in Washington, DC. LAAF joined Dr. Howard Fine, current chief of Neuro-Oncology Branch at NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, and of the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke. LAAF President Linda Magiera spoke about the importance of awareness and the impact a National Awareness Month would make on the brain tumor community.

May: The Congressional passage of May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. See www.youtube.com/laafinc to hear Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky speak.

December 6: LAAF held the 4^th Annual Gray Tie Ball. The weather cooperated and we had a good turnout. Dr. Raizer talked about his new role as Co-Director of the new Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern. Sponsors this year included: HOK once again as a $5,000 sponsor, UPS Supply Chain Solutions - $3,000 sponsor, Angie’s Fighters - $1,000 sponsor and Anderson Castings - $500 sponsor.

2009

May:  National Brain Tumor Awareness Month and the Grey Ribbon Crusade Brain Tumor Text Challenge

December 5:  5^th Annual Gray Tie Ball

Our plan is to continue creating a strong presence in the Chicago area and then branch out to other cities and states. All while continuing to work on brain tumor/cancer issues at the national level in D.C.

Brain Cancer is known as an 'orphan' cancer -  

Please support LAAF by ‘adopting’ brain cancer as your cause!

There are many ways to support LAAF:

·         Make a donation:

o        MAIL: LAAF – 1153 S. Lee St., Suite #201 – Des Plaines, IL  60016

o        ONLINE: www.laafinc.org – click on “Donate Now” & make a secure credit card payment  with PayPal

o        Donate an item or service for the silent auction at our Annual Gray Tie Ball.

·         Become an event sponsor by choosing one of the “Shades of Gray” sponsor levels.

·         Attend one of our events & bring your friends, family, coworkers

·         Volunteer – we are looking for additional board members and for volunteers/   committee members for each of our events.

 Thank you in advance for your support!  Your generosity is making it possible to win the fight against brain cancer.

Together, we will make a difference!