Friends of Prentice celebrated four decades of advancing women's healthcare with a milestone gala at The Drake Hotel, raising $1.6 million and counting. (Photo courtesy of FOP)
Four decades of helping move women’s healthcare forward gave Friends of Prentice plenty of reasons to celebrate, and the organization did just that on Oct. 16 at The Drake Hotel.
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The nonprofit marked its 40th anniversary with an evening honoring its history, recognizing the people behind its success and looking ahead to the next generation of medical discoveries. The celebration also paid tribute to co-founder Patty Henderson, whose vision and commitment helped launch an organization that has spent four decades investing in the future of women’s health.
The Drake Hotel was the venue for the Friends of Prentice Gala. (Photo FOP)
The milestone was especially meaningful with $1.6 million and counting raised, a record-breaking total that will help support early-stage research and innovative healthcare initiatives.
The anniversary celebration honored the organization's beginnings and the people who helped build its lasting impact. Friends of Prentice was founded in 1985 by Chicago philanthropist Carol Lavin Bernick, who wanted to give back after receiving care at what would become Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital during the birth of her daughter. She joined forces with a small group of community leaders, including Henderson, George McCarthy and Dr. Michael Socol, to turn that gratitude into something bigger.
The celebration also paid tribute to Friends of Prentice co-founder Patty Henderson (center). (Photo courtesy of FOP)
What began as a commitment to support one hospital has grown into a significant force in women's healthcare. Working in partnership with Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital, Friends of Prentice has raised more than $25 million since its founding and awarded grants to more than 150 researchers and clinical programs.
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Friends of Prentice Gala at the Drake Hotel. (Photo | FOP)
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