Leadership Highlights Accomplishments, Looks to Future, Encourages “There’s More to Be Done”
The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation held its annual meeting to highlight 25 years of accomplishments, look ahead to important events including its 25th Anniversary gala, and better understand the state of cancer research. The meeting was held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital which plays a critical role in the cancer research focus of the Foundation.
The Harold E Eisenberg Foundation exists to support two parallel paths: raising funds for the advancement of cancer research and providing real estate education opportunities to better equip the next generation of professionals.
Kristen Young, the Executive Director of the Foundation, presented a list of accomplishments in cancer research and real estate education that included:
· $4 million raised
· 27,000 tissue samples donated
· 11 research projects funded
· The creation of the Eisenberg OncoSET program
· 500 Cancer Care packages delivered to cancer patients
The Foundation’s work in real estate education has produced:
· 1,900 mentorships
· 2,200 Career Day and Real Bright Summit attendees
· 1,000 RE Challenge participants
· 200+ mentors
· 100+ university partners
· 44 real estate scholars
· $500,000 in scholarship awards
Peter Eisenberg, President of the Board of the Eisenberg Foundation, expressed his family’s deep and sincere gratitude for the work of the real estate industry volunteers and the medical researchers and professionals. He called them the cornerstone of the Foundation. At the same time, he implored the meeting’s attendees to not lose sight of the ultimate goal.
“We are all very grateful for the daily efforts and contributions of the Foundation over these past 25 years,” Eisenberg said. “While we cannot thank you enough, we can’t stop here. We won’t stop here. Our progress is important, our efforts are making a difference and there is more work to be done.”
The work of the Foundation to raise funds for cancer research efforts at The Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University becomes even more important given the grave statistic from Dr. Al Benson that 11% of funding has been cut from the National Institute of Health budget for cancer research.”
“Despite the tremendous accomplishments of the foundation and its programs, with these funding shortfalls, our work and the research it supports, has never been more important,” Young said. “Cancer patients and those who support them are a driven group of people. We won’t let them down.”
Other highlights of the meeting include recaps of advancements made in the research labs and the real estate education related programs and events. During the first half of 2024, for example, the Foundation hosted its annual Eisenopoly event which raised $215,000; Real Estate Challenge which attracted a record number of college and university participants; and launched the Wintrust sponsored Embarc program with 100 high school student from Simeon Academy in Chicago, touring the Wintrust Arena.
In addition to Career Day which will be held in the Fall, the Annual Dinner, to be held on October 17, 2024 at the Chicago Hilton & Towers, was also highlighted.