University Hospitals “Miracles Happen”

University Hospitals presented its 11th annual Miracles Happen, a benefit for advanced Cancer Research. Held at the Shaker Country Club, which was flanked in red and pink roses and hydrangea courtesy of Orban’s, 400 guests were on hand and helped to raise about $400,000 that evening. In the past decade, the Miracle Fund has raised $5 million.

The evening kicked off with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, music by Mike Petrone, a silent auction, vacation raffle, Miracle Tree and Wine Pull! Cooking for a Cure chefs included Zack Bruell, chef and leading restaurateur, and Bob Laslo, executive chef at Shaker Country Club.

Welcome remarks were given by Ned Hyland and Sean Hennessy, and the Champion Award was presented to “Becky’s Buds.” Friends of Becky Hennessy, who lost a hard-fought battle with advanced breast cancer in February, 2017, they have been instrumental in their support, loyalty and leadership.

The Miracle Fund helps to fund clinical research and treatment options for advanced stage breast cancer at UH Seidman Cancer Center.

Event chairs were Mary McKenna, Mary Patton and Bridget Vaughn. Honorary chairs that evening were Ned Hyland and Sean Hennessy.

Top sponsors of Miracles Happen were Sean, Kelly, Tim, Meaghan and Danny Hennessy, along with Ned, Tara and Brendan Hyland, among many other supporters.

Funds raised that evening will directly impact clinical research and patient care. Thus far, funding has helped to pilot the development of a vaccine for patients with triple negative breast cancer to prevent recurrences as well as to develop clinical drug trials, including four clinical trials for breast cancer using immunotherapy. The fund was created in honor of Diana Hyland, who lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer in 2008. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUE REID