Super Jake Foundation's Red Cape Gala raises funds to fight pediatric cancer
The Super Jake Foundation's annual Red Cape Gala will kick off Feb. 11 at the Westin North Shore in Wheeling, honoring the memory of Jake Robert Widman, who lost his battle with neuroblastoma in 2005 at the age of 4.
Since 2005, the Super Jake Foundation has raised more than $2 million for pediatric cancer research and direct support programs. Its signature event, The Red Cape Gala, will start at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, entertainment with Artbeat Live, a silent auction and an elegant dinner followed by dancing with the Al Sofia Orchestra.
"We were not able to save our son but we have dedicated our lives to saving other children from this deadly disease," said Matt Widman, Jake's Dad and Super Jake Foundation Board President.
Tickets are $200 per person and a table of 10 can be purchased for $2,000 at www.thesuperjakefoundation.org.
The Westin North Shore is at 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
All funds raised from The Red Cape Gala will go to award grants to institutions working on groundbreaking scientific neuroblastoma research and "Hero Grants" to families who are currently battling this dreaded disease.
Institutions that will receive grants include:
• The University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital
• Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Wisconsin American Family Hospital
• Texas A&M University.
The Super Jake Foundation funds research to cure neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly form of pediatric cancer, as well as provide assistance to families of children with cancer. There are 650 new cases of neuroblastoma in the United States each year. At this time, there are no drugs or treatments for the disease. With supporters' help, The Super Jake Foundation's mission is to change that.
To learn more visit www.thesuperjakefoundation.org.