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Minnie Driver To Perform At Annual illumination Gala

February 15, 2012

Contact:
Jason Merrill
314-286-0302
jmerrill@bjc.org

ST. LOUIS – Award-winning vocalist and actress Minnie Driver will perform at The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s annual illumination gala benefiting the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, Saturday, April 14 at The Ritz-Carlton in Clayton.

Best known for her roles in Good Will Hunting, Circle of Friends and Sleepers, Driver is also a successful vocalist. She can be heard on the original title track for the 2005 version of Phantom of the Opera, which was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Living by her own words, “Celebrity is a weird appendage, which is useless unless you do something with it” Driver is no stranger to taking a stand for cancer-related causes. In 2008, she helped launch Ralph Lauren's Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Campaign, which raised millions worldwide for breast cancer programs.



“Having watched friends and family members battle cancer, it is such an honor to support research that will get us to cures faster,” Driver says. “I look forward to joining illumination guests in April to raise money for Siteman Cancer Center’s research.”

Gala co-chairs Tom Hillman, Owner & Managing Partner, FTL Capital LLC and Ron Kruszewski, President & CEO, Stifel Nicolaus are leading community support of illumination. FTL Capital LLC is the presenting sponsor of the gala, which is expected to draw 600 guests for dinner, and a live auction of luxury items and experiences, capped by a private concert by Driver.

“FTL Capital is committed to supporting our community through activities with deep significance, meaning and purpose,” Hillman says. “Providing funds to help Siteman accelerate cures for cancer is a cause we deem very worthwhile.”

Kruszewski agrees, “It is an honor to co-chair illumination, which supports Siteman, a true asset to our region and an international leader. We’re also aware of the urgency of this work; now is the time to stop cancer in its tracks.”

The 2012 gala will support The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s Cancer Frontier Fund, a fundraising initiative spearheaded by Amy and Bill Koman, Foundation board member. The Cancer Frontier Funds purpose is to fast-track cancer treatment innovations based on research into the unique genetic signatures of each cancer, thus permitting personalized patient therapies.

Since 1999, illumination has generated millions of dollars to support the Siteman Cancer Center – the only National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center within 240 miles of St. Louis – in the fight against cancer. The 2011 event raised $1.5 million.

“The theme of the 2012 gala is ‘fast-forward to a world without cancer,’ and this could not be more timely. Today, thanks to our research supported by philanthropic support from events like illumination, we have more personalized cancer treatments on the horizon than ever before,” says Timothy Eberlein, MD, Siteman Cancer Center director. “Support from this year’s event could get us to those treatments even more quickly. It is such an exciting time in cancer research—the landscape is changing everyday; we can stay optimistic about where cancer treatments and cures will be in ten years because of the continued support from events like illumination.”

Hillman, Kruszewski, Eberlein and Rich Liekweg, Barnes-Jewish Hospital President, will host illumination. For more information about tickets and sponsorships, visit www.illuminationgala.org, or contact Kristin Marino at (314) 286-0602 or kgm4029@bjc.org.

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The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital helps donors enrich lives, save lives and transform patient care through charitable gifts. The patient is at the heart of everything we do.

Every gift to The Foundation helps Barnes-Jewish Hospital remain one of America’s top hospitals by funding innovative research for disease prevention and cure; medical education for doctors, nurses and pharmacists; technology and equipment; care essentials for patients in need like medicine and lodging; and community outreach to promote health and wellness.

To give where care matters most, please call The Foundation at 314-286-0600 or visit www.GivingBarnesJewish.org.

Cancer Frontier Fund 2011

Three patients and their physicians talk about how your gifts to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation's Cancer Frontier Fund are touching their lives, and improving treatments for future cancer patients.

Three patients and their physicians talk about how your gifts to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation s Cancer Frontier Fund are touching their lives, and improving treatments for future cancer patients.
Three patients and their physicians talk about how your gifts to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation s Cancer Frontier Fund are touching their lives, and improving treatments for future cancer patients.
Jim Hoerchler discusses how giving charitable gifts to patient care and social work can make a huge difference in a patient s life.
Jim Hoerchler discusses how giving charitable gifts to patient care and social work can make a huge difference in a patient s life.
The naming donor to the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center shares his passion for finding cancer cures through innovative research funded by gifts to the Cancer Frontier Fund.
The naming donor to the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center shares his passion for finding cancer cures through innovative research funded by gifts to the Cancer Frontier Fund.
Dr. Lukas Wartman knows firsthand what it is like to live with cancer. Listen here as this amazing young physician speaks to the importance of gifts to the Cancer Frontier Fund.
Dr. Lukas Wartman knows firsthand what it is like to live with cancer. Listen here as this amazing young physician speaks to the importance of gifts to the Cancer Frontier Fund.
2013 illumination Gala raised nearly $1.8 million for cancer research.
2013 illumination Gala raised nearly $1.8 million for cancer research.
Representatives from Pedal The Cause were at the Center for Advanced Medicine on Thursday, April 14 to provide information and recruit volunteers and riders. Pedal The Cause, a cycling event which raises money for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children s Hospital, takes place on October 1st and 2nd this year.
Representatives from Pedal The Cause were at the Center for Advanced Medicine on Thursday, April 14 to provide information and recruit volunteers and riders. Pedal The Cause, a cycling event which raises money for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children s Hospital, takes place on October 1st and 2nd this year.
10% of May purchases at Planet Sub benefit our Cancer Frontier Fund. The Cancer Frontier Fund supports cutting-edge research at the Siteman Cancer Center.
10% of May purchases at Planet Sub benefit our Cancer Frontier Fund. The Cancer Frontier Fund supports cutting-edge research at the Siteman Cancer Center.
The 2011 illumination gala took place on Saturday, April 9th. Kristin Chenoweth was the musical entertainment, and did a fantastic job revving up the crowd and providing a once-in-a-lifetime performance which helps the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation raise funds to benefit the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. <br />
The 2011 illumination gala took place on Saturday, April 9th. Kristin Chenoweth was the musical entertainment, and did a fantastic job revving up the crowd and providing a once-in-a-lifetime performance which helps the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation raise funds to benefit the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar visited patients at the Siteman Cancer Center and helped raise money for the Cancer Frontier Fund, an initiative of Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation.
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar visited patients at the Siteman Cancer Center and helped raise money for the Cancer Frontier Fund, an initiative of Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation.
Bill Koman shares his personal inspiration behind the launching of the Cancer Frontier Fund.
Bill Koman shares his personal inspiration behind the launching of the Cancer Frontier Fund.
Heidi, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College scholarship recipient, was inspired to be a nurse when she was receiving treatment for her second bout with Hodgkin s Lymphoma. Hear how she was inspired by nurses who went the extra step to get her healthy.
Heidi, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College scholarship recipient, was inspired to be a nurse when she was receiving treatment for her second bout with Hodgkin s Lymphoma. Hear how she was inspired by nurses who went the extra step to get her healthy.
Three-Time Cancer Survivor Fights for Family — With Ken Steinback, patient
Three-Time Cancer Survivor Fights for Family — With Ken Steinback, patient
Bob and Jennifer Walpert share their gratitude and experience receiving personalized care for prostate cancer therapy at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
Bob and Jennifer Walpert share their gratitude and experience receiving personalized care for prostate cancer therapy at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
Racing Against Cancer — With Charles Watkins, Prostate and Bladder Cancer patient
Racing Against Cancer — With Charles Watkins, Prostate and Bladder Cancer patient
What is the Cancer Frontier Fund about? Find out through the eyes of both our researchers and their patients. <br />
What is the Cancer Frontier Fund about? Find out through the eyes of both our researchers and their patients.
How have things progressed in the fight against cancer thanks to the Cancer Frontier Fund? Siteman Cancer Center researchers share their story. <br />
How have things progressed in the fight against cancer thanks to the Cancer Frontier Fund? Siteman Cancer Center researchers share their story.
At a May 12 press conference kicking of the 2011 Pedal the Cause, KSDK/NewsChannel 5 anchor Leisa Zigman shared her story about fighting non-Hodgkin s lymphoma.
At a May 12 press conference kicking of the 2011 Pedal the Cause, KSDK/NewsChannel 5 anchor Leisa Zigman shared her story about fighting non-Hodgkin s lymphoma.
Erica Griffin, patient of Dr. Julie Margenthaler, shares her story of the healing and hope she found at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center and the importance of giving to find cures.
Erica Griffin, patient of Dr. Julie Margenthaler, shares her story of the healing and hope she found at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center and the importance of giving to find cures.
Karen Thompson, Barnes-Jewish Hospital patient and donor, share why giving back is important.
Karen Thompson, Barnes-Jewish Hospital patient and donor, share why giving back is important.
Prior to performing at the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s annual “illumination” gala, actress and vocalist Minnie Driver visited with patients at the Siteman Cancer Center. Driver raised $1.9 million for cancer research during her visit to St. Louis.
Prior to performing at the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s annual “illumination” gala, actress and vocalist Minnie Driver visited with patients at the Siteman Cancer Center. Driver raised $1.9 million for cancer research during her visit to St. Louis.
Speeding Progress in Kidney Cancer Research — With Evan Kharasch, MD, PhD; and Jerry Morrissey, PhD
Speeding Progress in Kidney Cancer Research — With Evan Kharasch, MD, PhD; and Jerry Morrissey, PhD
The $50 million Cancer Frontier Fund initiative will provide unprecedented investment to help researchers at the Siteman Cancer Center accelerate the pace of discovery.
The $50 million Cancer Frontier Fund initiative will provide unprecedented investment to help researchers at the Siteman Cancer Center accelerate the pace of discovery.