The Foundation recently hosted its annual Blue Jean Ball and Fall Scholar Retreat in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. These signature events bring together Scholars and supporters in a beautiful lakeside setting to share knowledge and strengthen the Foundation's mission.

Highlights from the weekend included:

• Scholars from around the world, representing diverse areas of cancer research from the past three years of Forums.
• Mentors representing Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the National Cancer Institute, Northwestern University, and the University of California, San Francisco.
• The 19th Blue Jean Ball, which raised over $60,000, to directly fund upcoming Forbeck Forums.
• The launch of the Charles H. Jesser Distinguished Ambassador Award, with Lisa Spedale as its inaugural recipient.

Guests at the Blue Jean Ball, including local dignitaries such as Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause, BID Executive Director, Alexandria Binanti, and Visit Lake Geneva Partnership Manager, Christi Hunter, enjoyed interactive food stations with cocktail pairings from Pier 290 in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Guests also took part in interactive games like Boozy Ring Toss, Split the Deck, and the Wine Pull. Additionally, they won exciting auction items, including trips to Italy, Napa and Paso Robles wine country, Aspen, as well as various home, restaurant, and sports tickets from near and far.

The evening entertainment was provided by Frank Whiting and JFK the Band along with a fun photo booth where guests could let loose and enjoy the moment.

This memorable weekend was made possible by our generous donors, volunteers, and wonderful sponsors: CIBC, Dalco Metals, Inc., Dip in the Bay, Interstate Insurance, Pier 290, Stonecrafters and William Blair. Your support is driving critical groundbreaking cancer research, and we are immensely grateful for your continued commitment.

Volunteers and Board Members
‍Steve Benker, Annie Calteaux, Jamie Collins, Trent Douglas, Bee Eakright, Josh Eakright, Galen Eckland, Debra Fitzgerald, Alexandra Gavin, Matt Gerdes, Lisa and Brian Gorski, Aaron Jesser, Chuck Jesser, Patrick Joyce, Bill Kasten, Joe Kelly, Anne Lehman, Tony Martorano, Wendy Martorano, Kate Miller, Ron Miller, Rob and Christy Moore, Leigh Ann Myers, John O'Neill, Dan Pitt, Layla Raatz, Lauren Roadman, Joni and Frank Roman, Julie Tefft, Pam Wenc, Maureen Wheeler, Helen Xiong, Berta Zorich

Boozy Ring Toss and Wine Pull Donors
‍Badger Liquors, Bruno's, Chuck's Lake Shore Inn, Dan Pitt, Geneva Liquors, Johnson Brothers, Julie Rosenberg, Kimkasi Pub, Lake Geneva Country Meats, Mars Resort, Niche Wine Bar, Pam and Ray Wenc, Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly, Terlato, Tony Martorano

Auction and Raffle Donors
‍Chef Abel Rosas, Ann Lehman, Baker House, Barrique Wine & Bistro, Bear Creek Distillery, Belfry, Bradford Portraits. Catan Pisco, Cheese Box, Chicago Sports Network, ChinaWest, Chuck’s, Clearwater Outdoors, Clear Waters Salon & Spa, Colleen and Jay Goethal, Cornerstone, Coquette Lingerie, Cousins, Dancing Horses, Debra Fitzgerald and Joe Kelly, Delaney Street Mercantile, Devenir, Donna Miller, Essence Sound Healing, Fontana Home, Fontana Jewelers, Gage Lake Life Store, Geneva Lake Museum, Geneva National, Glunz Winery, Gordy’s, Green Grocer, Guac Star, Haberdapper, Harbor Shores, Hawk’s View, Healing Grounds Center & Café, Hill Valley Dairy, Jamie Forbeck Collins, Jayne, Johnson Brothers, Joni Roman, Julie Rosenberg, Kate Miller, Kimkasi, Lake Geneva Cooking School, Lake Geneva Country Meats, Laure Koskey and Marge Blum, Leedle Farms, LG Axe Throwing, LGYMCA, Lori Scotney-Personal Trainer, Mars Resort, Melges, Mike’s Auto Repair, MollieASPEN, Next Door Pub, Nora Fleming, Oakfire, One Point Ctr Aikido, Outpost Winery, Papa's Blue Spruce, Paper Dolls, Queen Bee Artisan Market, Riga-Tony's, Royal Fox Country Club, Safari Lake Geneva, Snow Owl Confectioners, Something Sweet, Staci Leineberg, Steve and Angela Green, Terlato, The Boat House, The Candle Mercantile, The French Country Inn, The Getaway, The Grove Country Club, The Owl Tavern, The Space, Tuscan Restaurant, Viaggio, Wendy Martorano

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