North Suburban Medical Research Junior Board

The North Suburban Medical Research Junior Board (NSMRJB) is dedicated to raising funds for pediatric research to help ensure a healthy and productive future for the next generation.

Founded in 1996, the NSMRJB is an Illinois not-for-profit organization, and serves as a junior board to the Medical Research Institute Council (MRIC). The MRIC, an affiliated organization of Children's Memorial Hospital, has been raising funds for medical research in Chicago since the 1950s. Both the NSMRJB and MRIC work to promote activities and community awareness for Children's Memorial Hospital.

For additional information about the NSMRJB, please contact:

• Karen Segal, Founder
  847.835.9363
• Courtney Fahn, Board co-chair               847.433.7514
• Bonnie Sherwood, Board co-chair         847.945.1009

Fundraising

Since its affiliation with Children's Memorial, the NSMRJB has raised more than $1.5 million to fund creative research in an amazing array of disciplines through a wide range of fundraising events and activities. NSMRJB support has led to advanced investigation in cancer, genetics and developmental biology at Children's Memorial Research Center, one of a handful of free-standing facilities in the nation devoted exclusively to pediatric research.

In 2008 the NSMRJB completed a two-year $150,000 pledge to support stem cell and autism research. In 2009, the NSMRJB has embarked on a new two-year $150,000 pledge. This pledge will be divided between two different research areas.

2009-10 Fundraising Targets

The following research areas were chosen by the NSMRJB because of the wide reaching possibilities of stem cell therapy and the rising number of children being diagnosed with autism.

Cardiomyopathy: Sunjay Kaushal, MD, PhD, focuses his research on preventing cardiomyopathy which causes the heart muscle to weaken resulting in decreased function. He is working on using heart stem cells to prevent cardiomyopathy in children and also to engineer heart muscle tissue. A portion of the funding will be used to purchase a Doppler imaging probe necessary for studying how the heart stem cells function when they are injected into the heart. 

Autism research: Laura Herzing, PhD, is working on the role that the gene UBE3A plays in autism, specifically autistic regression. Her aim is to understand the role of this gene more fully, so that better and more focused therapies can be developed to halt or reverse regression.

Events

The NSMRJB's primary annual fund raising event is an evening known as “Summer Soiree,” a gourmet food and wine tasting event which features some of Chicagoland's top chefs. The board also hosts an annual fashion show brunch at Neiman Marcus as well as other adult and family affairs when opportunities arise.

Board Members

The NSMRJB has approximately 35 members consisting of young women in the northern suburbs. In addition, there is a Sustaining Member category to accommodate long term loyal board members who wish to remain supportive, but are no longer able to meet all of our board requirements.

Board meetings

The NSMRJB meets on a monthly basis to plan fundraising events. The NSMRJB also invites guest speakers such as Children's Memorial physicians and researchers to educate NSMRJB board members about current medical issues, treatments, and advances. Board members also have the opportunity to tour Children's Memorial Hospital and Children's Memorial Research Center to stay informed of ongoing developments.