*Special thanks to the law firm of
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP for
generously
holding a 'Wear Jeans
to Work' fundraising event on August 1, 2008 to benefit
Canavan Research Illinois.
The
9th Annual Charity Ball
- Was held October 13th, 2007 at the
Hyatt Deerfield Hotel in honor of the momentous occasion of Max's 10th Birthday.
This event was a huge success...
an evening enjoyed by all! The auction items were
outstanding, the music incredible, the cake a masterpiece, the table
decorations sensational, and our guest speaker was the renowned Dr.
Paola Leone Associate Professor in the Dept. of Cell Biology, UMDNJ/SOM. Dr.
Leone
(featured L. with Max) is the world's leading researcher in Canavan disease and a
recognized neuro-researcher in many other areas of biomedical
research related to diseases of the brain. Humanitarian awards were
presented to Ralph and Lois Silver of the Silver Foundation as well as
Rianna Weil, our youngest volunteer.
Our May 2007
"Rocking to the 70's"
Bowling Tournament' was a big hit at 10 Pin Lanes in Chicago.
December of 2006
- Canavan Research Illinois was honored to be the recipient
of The Signature Room's "Charity of the Month".
The
8th Annual Canavan Charity Ball - Was held Sat. Oct. 21st, 2006, at the beautiful
Renaissance Hotel, Northbrook, IL. This exciting event featured dinner, dancing,
and a silent auction. We were especially honored this year to have as our guest speaker
Robert Kurson. Mr. Kurson is the well known author of 'Shadow
Divers', a best selling, inspirational non-fiction novel,
that is soon to be released as a feature film.
The 7th Annual Canavan Charity Ball
- Was held on Sat. Oct. 15th, 2005 at the beautiful
Renaissance Hotel, Northbrook, IL. Our honored guest speaker was Illinois Sate
Comptroller Daniel Hynes (pictured R.) with Max Randell, Celeste Stern,
and Natallya Gausvic with her dad Thyme.
Humanitarian awards were presented to
the Comptroller, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and several of our 'volunteer
angels' who worked so hard to make this evening a huge success. The
'Canavan Research Scientist of the Year Award' was presented to the esteemed
Dr. Scott McPhee of the Cell & Gene Therapy Center UMDNJ-Robert
Wood Johnson Medical School. Camden N.J.
The 6th Annual Charity Ball,
'Steps Towards the Cure' was held October 16th. 2004 at the Hyatt Hotel, Deerfield, IL. Our guest
speaker, Dr. Andrew Freese (Pictured L. with charity
Vice President Peggy Shapiro-Nyeholt) was the well deserved recipient of
our 'Physician Scientist of the Year' award.
Dr. Freese is the Professor
and Vice Chairman of the department of Neurosurgery and Director of
Spinal Surgery at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Freese's well
received presentation focused on why supporting the battle against
Canavan disease will lead to cures for other neurodegenerative
diseases and will truly have a major impact on the lives of millions
of people.
Click for
article about Dr. Freese
Max
Randell greeted guests with his mother Ilyce, President of Canavan
Research Illinois. Max stayed the entire evening and was was very
moved to see so many people in attendance. 
Also
at the benefit... attorney Clint Krislov received the charity's '2004 Humanitarian'
award for his dedicated efforts to make a difference in the lives
of these precious children who have so few advocates (Mr.& Mrs.
Krislov pictured R.).
Click for
article about Clin
t Krislov
Attorney Barry Silver (not pictured)
was also presented with a Humanitarian award for his dedication to the battle against Canavan disease.
Click for article about Barry Silver
T
he
5th Annual Charity Ball,
hosted by Canavan Research Illinois
(CRI), was held October 25th, 2003 at the Hyatt Hotel, Deerfield,
IL. We had a wonderful turnout featuring a delicious dinner, gorgeous
decorations, fabulous music, interactive dancers, and
spectacular auction items. Ilyce Randell, President of CRI, presented Dr. Paola Leone
(pictured L.) with the
'Scientist of the Year' award in recognition of Dr. Leone's
achievements in the field of Canavan disease research. These
achievements were helped made possible with the support of CRI.
A
highlight of the evening was when Max Randell surprised everyone by
guiding Celeste Stern in a wheelchair dance around the floor. Max, maneuvered
his power chair to pull Celeste to the music. Bunnie Dewar, occupational
therapist from the Gillet Educational Center, is pictured with the
children.
Peggy
Shapiro-Nyeholt (CRI
Vice President and Max's 'Gammie') pictured with daughter Ilyce, is the
chairman of the Auction committee. This year's auction featured
a wide variety of generously donated items and Hollywood
luminaries joined forces with us by donating signed scripts and
photographs to help us to raise much needed funds.
Paola Leone and Max
shared a moment together
prior to Ilyce and Paola
presenting Max with
a victory medal for inspiring our fight against
Canavan disease.
* Photos of The 5th Annual Ball are courtesy of
L.W. Larsen Photography. To view more photos of the Canavan Charity
Ball, visit Photo
reflect.
The
3rd
Annual Canavan Charity Ball was held on Sept. 22nd
2001 at the Watercress Banquets, Palatine, IL.
Congressman Philip Crane showed his support by serving as as the
Honorary Chairman of this event (pictured L. with wife Arlene, Michael
and Ilyce Randell, and Congressman Mark Steven Kirk with wife
Kimberly).
Humanitarian Awards were presented to United
States (IL) Congressmen Philip Crane and Mark Steven Kirk, Senators
Dick Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald, for working together in a bipartisan effort on behalf of the children battling Canavan disease.
Senator Durbin once described Ilyce Randell, in a
CBS News interview, as “a profile in courage". Journalist Ruth Gesmer Silverman,
was also the recipient of an award for raising awareness of our battle
against Canavan disease.
'Kids for Canavan Day' was hosted by
Dinorex Oct. 2003, Max, pictured with mom Ilyce, and "Gampa" Jim
Nyeholt.
Bracelet's
and Cards:
"Miracles" bracelets
The 10th Annual Canavan Charity Ball
