Elegant Prentice event benefits women, infants

Friends of Prentice hosted its 33rd annual benefit at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel with an elegant theme inspired by the film “Casablanca.” The Nov. 3 event attracted more than 400 supporters who helped fund research, education and patient care programs at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital.

Many guests arrived in white dinner jackets and glamorous gowns. Decor by Taylor & Co. carried the evening’s theme with tables draped in silver-sequined linens topped with palm fronds and white Casablanca lilies in tall silvered vases. A monochromatic color palette of silver and gray was a nod to the silver screen.

A saxophone player led guests into dinner, where Cheryl Skender, Friends of Prentice board president, opened the program and shared the success and future goals of the organization.

“Since our inception in 1983, we have raised more than $20 million and awarded grants to more than 80 researchers and clinical programs. I’m proud to share that Friends of Prentice has funded projects in the areas of gynecologic oncology, mental health, heart disease, disparities in access to care, diabetes, HIV, uterine and pelvic medicine, genetic biomarker research, home health care outreach and more,” she said.

Skender also shared news of a groundbreaking initiative, funded by FOP and developed by researchers Dr. Craig Garfield and Young Seok Lee, Ph.D. The Smart NICU2HOME app, currently being tested in the field, will support parents and newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

A live auction conducted by Dan Campbell realized over $50,000 and included travel and golf experiences. Entertainment was provided by BeatMix Music with a jazz trio led by Tina Jenkins Crawley. Following dinner, partygoers enjoyed dancing to the sounds of TC Squared’s 10-piece band.

Co-chaired by Meghan Gill, Erica Goldman and Donna Socol, the event raised over $700,000. More online

Find more photos and video of this event at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace