Annual Cancer Research Benefit
During their first year in business in 1971, Lou and Jean Malnati closed their original Lincolnwood location for a one-night charity event. The event raised scholarship money for a local athlete who would go on to play football at Wake Forest University, and the scholarship was named in memory of famous Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo, who passed away from cancer.
After Lou himself fell victim to cancer in 1978, Jean, along with their sons, Marc and Rick, built on this one-night charity event by dedicating themselves to funding cancer research and treatment programs through the Lou Malnati Cancer Research Foundation.
Today, an annual Lou Malnati’s Cancer Research Benefit is held each fall to raise money for cancer research programs at the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as well as cancer support programs at Gilda’s Club of ChicagoandPickles Group. The event has raised more than $5 Million in the last 15 years alone.
Honoring Lou and Jean’s Tradition of Generosity
Following a transformational donation from the Malnati family and Lou Malnati Cancer Research Foundation in 2017, the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute was renamed the Northwestern Medicine Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The gift honors the longstanding tradition of generosity that Lou and Jean established more than 50 years ago while also bringing to fruition the family’s dream of seeing improvements and advancements in personalized care and support for patients battling cancer.
Further, the gift helps attract and retain even more world-class talent who can create breakthroughs in battling brain tumors. Most importantly, it helps improve care and advance research for current patients and those down the road.
The Malnati Brain Tumor Institute is a nationally recognized leader in the fight against brain and spinal cord tumors, offering patients the most advanced clinical trials and treatment options available.
Learn more about the amazing work being done at the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute by visiting their website.
Interested in Helping?
You can visit lmcb.org to donate or purchase tickets to our annual benefit. You can also support in our stores annually in August and September by purchasing a Cancer Circle or Rounding Up your total when checking out.