Record Raising
Gilda’s Club Chicago exceeded all expectations.
Excitement was contagious at the Gilda’s Club Chicago’s Agents of Hope gala June 27 as guests chattered about the night’s anticipated record-breaking totals. “It seems we’ll exceed our best year ever,” said co-chairman Bob Arthur, and that’s exactly what the organization — named after late comedienne Gilda Radner — did. The event earned more than $800,000 to help the club continue to provide a warm and welcoming place for people affected by cancer at its 537 N. Wells facility. More than 600 guests gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago to toast honorees Tony Anderson of Ernst & Young and Larry Richman of PrivateBancorp, who are both major benefactors. Gilda’s Club Chicago’s longtime CEO LauraJane Hyde was understandably touched. “People are so generous and I get emotional,” she said. When the awards are handed out, “You’ll see me in the back of the room trying not to cry.”