The NSMRJB may have a tongue twister of a title, but the North Shore-based powerhouse group packs one wallop of a punch when it comes to fund-raising for Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Established 15 years ago by North Shore mega-philanthropist Karen Segal, the NSMRJB (North Suburban Medical Research Junior Board) is comprised of 35 influential Board members and serves the Medical Research Institute Council (MRIC), an affiliated organization of Children’s Memorial. The Board positions its biennial pledge on medical issues that have impacted children in the local community. Originally, Segal’s plan was to focus on pediatric brain tumor research, and the Board’s means would mainly be met through an event in the fall entitled Harvest Moon. The fund-raiser had been moved to the summer over the past few years, and while always supporting Children’s Memorial, the focus had shifted to other areas of medicine. This year, Harvest Moon returns to its roots.

On October 15, the supporters of the NSMRJB will host “All You Need Is Love,” a night filled with dancing, music by The Gold Coast All Stars, a live auction, and delicious food and drinks at Fields Infiniti in Glencoe. Media sponsored by Sheridan Road and co-chaired by Jamie Robin, Bonnie Sherwood, and Jamie Weiss, the night promises to spread the “love” to the littlest of patients. The resources raised from the event will go toward the NSMRJB’s 2011/2012 pledge of $100,000 toward pediatric brain tumor research. The Board has chosen Dr. Stewart Goldman, one of the nation’s leading pediatric neuro-oncologists, and his continual research conducted at Children’s Memorial.

Dr. Goldman is highly involved with clinical research aimed at developing new treatments for patients with brain tumors. His goal is to not only improve care, but increase survival rates. His top-notch bedside manner is thankfully located in close proximity to the North Shore. Co-chair Jamie Weiss knows this firsthand, as Dr. Goldman has been the doctor to her daughter, Alexa, who was diagnosed at the age of 3 with a brain tumor in May 2010. Dr. Goldman and Children’s Memorial has been there to support and guide the Weiss family throughout Alexa’s diagnosis and promising recovery. Says Weiss, “There was never any question of which hospital we were going to for her treatment.”

Involvement in the NSMRJB is incredibly fulfilling and means many things to its many supporters. Whether it be its research-based focus or an opportunity to meet other like-minded fund-raisers, NSMRJB’s underlying purpose remains constant: to ensure a healthy and productive future for the next generation.

The NSMRJB’s Fall Event, “All You Need Is Love,” is Saturday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Fields Infiniti in Glencoe. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit
nsmrjb.org.