• Skip to main content

Levinson and Stefani Injury Lawyers

Client-first legal representation for injury victims. Injured? Free Consultation:

(312) 376-3812

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Attorneys
      • Ken Levinson
      • Jay Stefani
      • Vanessa A. Gebka
    • Practice Areas
      • Truck Crashes
      • Bus Collisions
      • Auto Accidents
      • Child Injuries
  • Firm News
  • Library
    • Articles
    • Cases
    • Law
    • Video
  • Blog
  • For Lawyers
    • Focus Groups
  • Free Case Review

Forever Kids Foundation

Non-profit spotlight: Forever Kids Foundation

July 24, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

The Forever Kids Foundation was started by three mothers who were disturbed by the severe underfunding of pediatric cancer research.
The Forever Kids Foundation was started by three mothers who were disturbed by the severe underfunding of pediatric cancer research.

The anatomy of a non-profit

Deb Bertram remembers the moment that nearly changed her life. Her then 14-month-old son had been experiencing discomfort so they booked an appointment at the doctor’s office. The news was disconcerting: His white blood cell count was low. It was consistent with what doctors had seen in cases involving leukemia. The doctor assured her it was simply one of many variables. Nevertheless, the next half an hour after leaving the doctor’s office was unbearable.

“I remember calling the doctor and saying, ‘If you think this is leukemia you need to tell me now,’” Bertram recalls. It turned out her son had pneumonia. “It was such a miniscule drop in the bucket [in comparison to leukemia]. That fear of the possibility is just shaking. For parents it becomes a living nightmare. For 30 minutes I got a glimpse of what it would be like to have my life taken away.”

That memory stays with Bertram, founder and president of the Forever Kids Foundation, a local non-for-profit that partners with several organizations dedicated to pediatric cancer research. Bertram and her friend, Cortney Kinzler, founded Forever Kids in 2013. Bertram talks about that first meeting with Kinzler to discuss how they might do something unique. It didn’t take long. They talked frequently about wanting to help kids battling cancer, something they had seen up close on separate occasions, either through lens of a family friend or through the eyes of a neighbor’s child. They were also shocked to learn that pediatric cancer research is often underfunded — either by way of federal subsidies or private donations.

“It’s really on the shoulders of these families to raise money and it’s a very difficult battle,” says Bertram. “These kids are experiencing treatments that are decades old, and they often have side effects because of the toxins. We hope that in their lifetime there will be better outcomes.”

To improve those outcomes, the Foundation hosts several events during the year to raise money for other organizations, including the Make Your Mark, The Mark Staehely Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which will be the beneficiary of one of Forever Kids’ most popular annual events. In less than two weeks, the Foundation hosts the 3rd Annual FORE! Kids Golf Outing at the Seven Bridges Golf Club (1 Mulligan Drive, Woodridge, IL) on Monday, August 3. Like last year, the event includes 18 holes of golf, dinner and a silent auction to cap off a fun-filled day of good food and entertainment. New this year: a special live performance by Jon Conover following the day’s round.

Forever Kids has extended the registration deadline to accommodate any last-minute sponsors. In just three years, The Forever Kids Foundation has raised more than $15,000 for pediatric cancer research, and this year’s outing will host the most golfers yet. Bertram says that next year’s goal is to take over the course entirely with Forever Kids golfers while adding a few wrinkles to improve annual registration, and grow the organization each year. The next step, says Bertram, is to establish a Board of Directors.

“It’s a learning process for us too. Every other moment is dedicated to making those calls when we can. I bring my kids with me when I have to. Every available moment is really working on the Foundation and working to make people’s live better.”

A partner organization in 2014, Levinson and Stefani is once again a sponsor in 2015, providing our namesake to one of 18 holes available for sponsorship. We hope you’ll join us in the battle against pediatric cancer. The Forever Kids Foundation is currently accepting registration for sponsors, golfers, and dinner guests. For more information on the outing, visit foreverkidsfoundation.org or call (847) 502-6775.

Next up: Mark your calendars for October 24 when the Forever Kids Foundation hosts a zombie scavenger hunt, complete with a two-hour tutorial from professional makeup artists on how to make yourself look extra zombie-ish.

 

Nonprofit Spotlight: Forever Kids Foundation Benefits Pediatric Cancer Research

September 3, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Forever Kids

Craft beers and golf are finding a prominent place this month at the Forever Kids Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) that raises money and awareness towards eliminating life-threatening diseases among children.  On September 13, the foundation hosts Sophisticated Palette at Beer Bistro North in Chicago at 7pm, an evening of food, craft beers and live music (courtesy of Evans Acoustic) with proceeds benefiting the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a 22-year-old Chicago-based organization supporting pediatric cancer research and quality of living around the country. Tickets range between $75-$85.

Nearly a week later on September 19, Forever Kids hosts its second annual Fore! Kids Golf Outing at the Bridges of Popular Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates, a special event also supporting Bear Necessities. The event includes contests throughout the day and opportunities to win prizes and giveaways during a silent auction and raffle. Participants will enjoy lunch, unlimited use of the driving range, 18 holes of golf (cart and greens fees included) contests, prizes and a closing awards dinner with silent auction.

Forever Kids is currently seeking additional sponsors for the Friday golf outing. The organization is also still in need of silent auction items and prizes for the planned raffle as part of the festivities, as well as additional contributions. Levinson and Stefani is proud to be one of the newest sponsors of The Forever Kids Foundation, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting such a worthy cause. As part of your contribution, Forever Kids will acknowledge you and/or your company on its website, marketing materials, and on event signage; all donations are tax deductible.

Since its founding in 2013, The Forever Kids Foundation has taken a proactive approach to eliminating child disease through events like the Fore! Kids Golf Outing and other community-based events. The not-for-profit has partnered with Bear Necessities and other like-minded groups over the past year, increasing awareness and providing financial help to those who need it most. If you’re not familiar with Bear Necessities, the national foundation has launched an aggressive campaign to wipe out pediatric cancer among children. Established in 1992, Bear Necessities was founded by CEO and President Kathleen Casey, whose son, Barrett “Bear” Krupa, battled pediatric cancer for more than five years.

Bear’s story is one of courage and selflessness. During his stay in the hospital, he frequently expressed more concern for the well being of other pediatric cancer patients despite his own battle with the disease. Bear and Kathleen learned first-hand the difficulty of the many hidden needs of patients and their families, even the needs of hospital facilities. They established Bear Necessities as a way to customize a healthy and joyful experience in the face of life-threatening disease.

Today, the organization has developed two separate causes over its two-decade history: providing immediate family and financial support to those in need; supporting and providing medical research grants in the name of junior investigative researchers, whose goal is primarily making advancements in the field of pediatric cancers.

By Presidential Proclamation, September 2014 is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s estimated that nearly 16,000 children under the age of 20 will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone—the leading cause of disease-related deaths for children. Thanks to organizations like Forever Kids and Bear Necessities, that number continues to dwindle. We aim to do more this month during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we hope you will, too.

According to a press release from the White House, “Our Nation comes together to remember all those whose lives were cut short by pediatric cancer, to recognize the loved ones who know too well the pain it causes, and to support every child and every family battling cancer each day.”

 

Levinson and Stefani Injury Lawyers in Chicago / Attorney Advertising