On Friday, January 14, 2011, the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation presented NorthShore University HealthSystem’s (NorthShore) Kellogg Cancer Center with a generous donation of $50,000. NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center offers comprehensive and compassionate care for oncology patients and their families. The Karen Dove Cabral Foundation’s gift of $50,000 will enable NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center to provide much needed support to young mothers with breast cancer by helping to fund non-covered medical expenses, childcare fees, transportation and lodging while undergoing treatment.
The Karen Dove Cabral Foundation, based in Evanston, was founded in 2008 by the family and friends of Karen Dove Cabral. Karen passed away in 2007 after six years of living with breast cancer. Her family and friends witnessed the challenges she faced coping with the everyday stresses of being a young mother while dealing with surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, recovery and possible recurrence.
In her honor, the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young mothers with breast cancer who are dealing with the challenges of raising a family while balancing the unpredictable demands of their illness. With the support of the Karen Dove Cabral Foundation, coupled with the leading edge care patients receive at NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center, young breast cancer patients can focus on healing and living their lives to the fullest.
Kathleen Dove, Cabral’s mother, has high praise for her daughter’s medical team, particularly her oncologist, Douglas Merkel, MD, and Christine Van De Wege, Senior Director at Kellogg Cancer Center at NorthShore Evanston Hospital. “They were all attentive from the beginning and provided excellent, cutting-edge and compassionate care,” she said. “Kellogg Cancer Center stands apart. It’s a gem in the community,” she added. “Together we can make a significant change in women’s lives.” One way the Foundation plans to do so is by hosting its third annual Butterfly Ball on September 24, 2011, at the Evanston Golf Club to benefit NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center patients.
For more information about NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center or ways to support the innovative cancer care being provided at NorthShore University HealthSystem, please call (224) 364-7214 or visit northshore.org/foundation.
About NorthShore University HealthSystem
Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery system that serves the Chicago region. The system includes four hospitals in Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore employs approximately 9,000 and has 2,400 affiliated physicians, including a 650-physician, multispecialty group practice with 75 office locations. Further, NorthShore supports teaching and research as the principal teaching affiliate for the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
The NorthShore Research Institute focuses on clinical and translational research, including leadership in outcomes research and clinical trials. The NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation is a leading philanthropic entity of NorthShore. It raises charitable contributions, engages volunteer friends and invests in community partnerships.
NorthShore has significant capabilities in a wide spectrum of clinical programs, including cancer, heart, orthopaedics, high-risk maternity, pediatrics and neurosciences. NorthShore is a Magnet recognized organization, the only one in Illinois designated as a system to receive this prestigious honor that demonstrates excellence in nursing and high standards in patient care. NorthShore is a national leader in the implementation of innovative technologies, including electronic medical records (EMR). In 2003, NorthShore was among the first in the country to successfully launch a system-wide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients. NorthShore has been recognized by multiple national organizations for this notable achievement.
