"INSPIRED VENTURE" NAMED FOR JEAN A. BECK

Field And Golan underwrites Inspired Evening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2003

Deerfield, IL – On the evening of March 8, 2003, friends and family of Jean A. Beck gathered at the home of Debra and Michael Sears of Lake Forest for “An Inspired Evening” to kick-off the Jean A. Beck Inspired Venture in Breast Cancer Research of Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital (MSKCC). Fifteen thousand dollars was raised at this first event attended by approximately one hundred supporters. Additional appeals and events are being planned to raise the remaining ten thousand dollars needed to complete the project. Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Laurence S. Rockefeller Fund will match all contributions to the Jean A Beck Inspired Venture.

“An Inspired Evening” was partially underwritten by the generosity of the Law firm of Field and Golan.  GPP board member Margaret Christie a partner with Field and Golan and Managing Partner Stephen Golan of Lake Forest and their spouses attended the event.

A former nurse and wife of the late president of Lake Forest Hospital’s Medical Staff, Dr. Leonard Lee Beck, Mrs. Beck lost her thirteen-year battle with breast cancer in November 2002. She worked tirelessly as Lake Forest Symphony’s foremost advocate for eighteen years and is fondly remembered for her annual appearances at Lake Forest’s Fourth of July concerts.

            Liese Kant, R.N. of Lake Forest, Vice President of Partnership Development at Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships, helped Jean’s children, Stephanie Klein, Warren Beck and Stewart Beck, establish this “Inspired Venture” in memory of their mother.

 “When I read the proposal for this innovative breast cancer project at Memorial Sloan Kettering, I thought of Jean. I’d known Jean for years, and knew everyone that had known her respected the amazing work she did on behalf of the Lake Forest Symphony.  Jean's daughter Stephanie and I got together with the help of our mutual friend, Kim Steveson and her husband, Dr. Mark Steveson, who was in practice at Lake Forest Hospital with Stephanie’s dad. Stephanie was very grateful and excited about the project and was thrilled that her brothers Warren, a Glyn Ellyn resident and Stewart, who now lives in Shanghai, were able to get involved.”

            Stewart’s message, received by e-mail, was read after a tribute to Jean made by Jim Richter on the evening of March 8. In his note Stewart Beck wrote, “Thank you for helping to champion this cause and for the research dedicated to our mother. It’s quite an honor. No doubt Jean is watching up there somewhere, proud that others may receive the gift of healing thanks to the hard work of her friends.”   After Stewart’s letter was read, Warren, an accomplished pianist and performer, captivated the attendees with two lovely, original piano compositions, the first in memory of his mother.

            Andrew Vickers, Ph.D., an investigator on the MSKCC breast cancer research project team, attended the event to explain the project that involves the use of botanical medicines to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Vickers enchanted guests with his story of how the researchers came upon the idea for the project.   One of them recalled that his Chinese parents used Huanglian as a treatment. The researcher rushed over to an old Chinese herbalist and brought some Huanglian back to the laboratory. Initial studies indicate that the botanical, Huanglian, has the potential of doubling cancer cell death when used in combination with the Chemotherapy drug, Taxol, without any additional side effects.  The story reflects how many breakthroughs in research are achieved through innovative thinking.  Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships seeks out these innovative projects for donors to promote quicker cures and better treatments for people suffering from catastrophic diseases.

            The March 8 event was made possible by Prudential and Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships (GPP), a unique not-for-profit organization that enables individuals to directly fund innovative medical research at the finest research institutions in the country. GPP sought out and validated the breast cancer research project at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and secured funds from the Laurence Rockefeller Fund to match every dollar contributed to the Jean Beck Inspired Venture Fund. GPP also secured underwriting sponsorship of the event from the law firm of Field and Golan and Prudential Financial.

            “An Inspired Evening” featured the premiere of a joint venture between Celebration Catering and Le Francais with an appearance by Chef Don Yamauchi and fellow chefs in a special presentation of Dim Sum, individually prepared Chinese delicacies. Guests also enjoyed a private piano recital by Jean's son, Warren Beck, a Nashville recording artist and noted local entertainer. The pieces played were written in honor of his mother.

            George and Judy Goldman of Lake Forest started Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships (GPP), based in Deerfield, in 1998 as a response to Judy Goldman’s ten-year struggle with multiple myeloma, a rare blood and bone cancer. GPP has found a niche that meets the needs of donors who want to know where their contributions are going. It may be the only not-for-profit that gives donors the opportunity to meet researchers and receive quarterly updates on the progress of their research projects.

            GPP is pleased to announce the founding of two new Inspired Ventures in Lung Cancer Research, the James M. Hughes Inspired Venture and the Roberta M. Bartram Inspired Venture. Those interested in founding an Inspired Venture to fund innovative catastrophic disease research in honor or in memory of a friend or family member are invited to contact Liese Kant at 847-948-5512.