Medical Research Junior Board Foundation (MRJBF)

Founded in 1992, the MRJBF has approximately 60 board members consisting of young professionals living in the Chicago metropolitan area, ranging in age from 22 to mid 30s. Since 1992, the MRJBF has helped the Children's Memorial Foundation raise over $1,000,000 for pediatric research initiatives at Children's Memorial Hospital and the Children's Memorial Research Center.

Every two years, the MRJBF votes on a new two-year campaign.  The current campaign is directed to Dr. Mark S. Wainwright's research initiatives.  Dr. Wainwright is an attending physician at Children's Memorial Hospital in the Division of Neurology.  Specializing in diagnosing and treating critically ill children with neurological conditions, the MRJBF supports Dr. Wainwright's quest to discover new therapies to treat children with acute and traumatic brain injuries, as well as newborns who have suffered strokes.  Dr. Wainwright is developing a system that will help critical care physicians better understand the interaction between many factors including a patient's condition, the treatment provided and the results experienced.  The system will give Children's Memorial Hospital the opportunity to provide an even higher level of treatment for children with neurological conditions.

Since its founding, the MRJBF has hosted many well-attended social and educational events.  Previous events include silent auctions, live band karaoke championships, Valentine's Day mixers, race sponsorships, and grand openings of restaurants, theaters and retail stores such as Crate & Barrel and AMC Theaters.  The MRJBF has co-hosted An Event with Jennifer Lopez, which included a fashion show and appearance by Jennifer Lopez at her first U.S. store located in the former Marshall Field's store on State Street.  Additionally, the MRJBF's annual fundraisers have become some of the city's premier events, each averaging over 500 guests in attendance.  The two annual signature events include A.B.C. (Art Benefiting Children) Event, a trendy exhibition of artwork for sale by local artists, and CFC (Cocktails for a Cause) Event and Silent Auction.

In 2006 and 2007, the MRJBF exceeded its commitment by over $100,000 to the previously selected research initiatives: Dr. David O. Walterhouse's research to cure childhood cancer.  In 2008 and 2009, the MRJBF has ambitiously committed $200,000 to Dr. Mark S. Wainwright's neurological studies and eagerly looks forward to surpassing this goal and reaching record-breaking numbers.

For more information, please contact us at mrjbf.info@gmail.com.

MRJBF (Medical Research Jr. Board Foundation)
CFC (Cocktails for a Cause) Event and Silent Auction

Friday, October 24, 2008
Time and location to be announced. Please check back.