Attend a Fundraising Event

Lurie Children's and our partners host extraordinary annual events in Chicago and our suburbs! From charity fundraising walks, to stair climbs to family-friendly activities, we offer events for all ages, interests and abilities. You're invited to attend any of our fundraising events that directly support our patients.

Family-Friendly and Social Events

Since 2007, hundreds of runners have come together to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as members of the Lurie Children’s Marathon Team. Throughout their training, team members work towards the required fundraising goal, while receiving support in return. Team members receive complimentary endurance training customized to meet the needs of both first-time marathoners and seasoned runners. Training is supported through weekly group runs and online training plans. For more information, contact Sophia Paarz at spaarz@luriechildrens.org.

October 13, 2024

Extra Life unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The Extra Life Chicago community of over 1,000 gamers raises funds and awareness for Lurie Children’s year-round. The first Saturday of November each year is National Game Day where all Extra Lifers commit to gaming and raising funds for their hospital by streaming, playing tabletop games or their favorite type of game. For more information, contact Hannah Monte at hmonte@luriechildrens.org

November 2, 2024

Winter Wishes: Holiday Cocktail Celebration

Winter Wishes is the Founders' Board's annual holiday cocktail celebration, raising critical funds for the patients and families at Lurie Children's. For questions, please contact Alison Tibbits at atibbits@luriechildrens.org.

November 21, 2024

Lurie Children’s Radiothon is a live holiday broadcast to raise funds in support of the patients at families at Lurie Children’s. Tune in to hear stories of breakthroughs, bravery and healthier futures for kids. All funds raised through Radiothon help fuel research, support families in need and provide lifesaving care to more kids. For more information, contact Deanna Kerns at dkerns@luriechildrens.org or 312.227.7321.

December 5, 2024

The Children’s Research Fund’s annual fundraising campaign to support pediatric research at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Lurie Children’s is celebrated at the annual Children’s Ball, which also honors the researchers and physician-scientists at the Manne Research Center. This elegant black-tie event features hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dancing, and attracts more than 1,000 guests each year, including a number of Chicago’s business and community leaders. For more information, contact Laura Rao at lkrao@luriechildrens.org.

December 7, 2024

Aon Step Up for Kids, presented by KPMG, is a family-friendly stair climb event where every step taken and dollar raised supports the Department of Family Services at Lurie Children’s. For 25 years, our community has stepped up to ensure Lurie Children’s can provide programs like pet therapy, school services and art and music therapy. For more information, contact Aly Marzonie at amarzonie@luriechildrens.org

February 2, 2025

Move for Kids is a family-friendly 3-mile charity walk. It is a celebration of community, family and what’s possible when we come together for the kids we care about. The event features a walk and rally for the patients and families at Lurie Children's. For more information, contact Jessica Brooks at jbrooks@luriechildrens.org or 312.227.7309.

June 2025

Pro Am Banner

The Founders’ Board is hosting the 64th annual Pro Amateur Golf Championship on June 24, 2024. The Pro-Am is the most successful annual fundraising event in the Hospital’s history, with cumulative proceeds totaling nearly $34 million. For more information contact Alison Tibbits at atibbits@luriechildrens.org.

June 2025

Lurie Children’s Pedalpalooza is a virtual cycling experience that challenges participants to ride 100 miles in the month of June while fundraising for Lurie Children’s. Participants are encouraged to cycle indoors or safely on the road and can log 100 miles in one day, a weekend or over the course of the month. Pedalpalooza was designed for avid cyclists who want to challenge themselves as well as for families, indoor cyclists and new riders. For more information, contact Ted McCartan at tmccartan@luriechildrens.org or 312.227.7280.

July 2025

Run for Gus is a family-friendly run/walk hosted by Lurie Children’s Young Associate Board (YAB), and raises funds for brain tumor care and research at Lurie Children’s. Hosted on a Thursday evening at the lakefront in Lincoln Park, the event is family-friendly and attracts a young professional crowd. Following the race, participants enjoy a party at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. For more information, contact Sophia Paarz at spaarz@luriechildrens.org.

July 2025

Start or join a team with your colleagues to take on the Corporate Challenge at the Chicago Triathlon. You will swim, bike, and run while raising vital funds for the Center of Cancer and Blood Disorders at Lurie Children’s. Corporate Challenge participants receive $10 off race registration and are eligible to qualify for free swim clinics, exclusive incentives, race day perks, and more!

Choose from three distances:

  • Supersprint Distance: 0.23-mile swim, 6.2-mile bike, 1.5-mile run
  • Sprint Distance: 0.47-mile swim, 15-mile bike, 3.1-mile run
  • International Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run

August 2025

Since 2007, hundreds of runners have come together to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as members of the Lurie Children’s Marathon Team. Throughout their training, team members work towards the required fundraising goal, while receiving support in return. Team members receive complimentary endurance training customized to meet the needs of both first-time marathoners and seasoned runners. Training is supported through weekly group runs and online training plans. For more information, contact Sophia Paarz at spaarz@luriechildrens.org.

October 12, 2025

Lurie Children’s Corporate Cup is a classic field day mixed with a little decathlon and a whole lot of friendly competition. Teams representing local companies will face off in a variety of traditional events like tug of war and relay races. Teams will battle it out on the field while raising life-changing funds to support the patients and families at Lurie Children’s. Corporate Cup is not just fun and games, but an afternoon where community impact meets corporate team building—there’s no other event like it.

September 2025

The Gold Coast Fashion Award Show, the signature fundraising event of the Children’s Service Board brings together some of Chicago’s most influential community leaders for cocktails, fashion and more. The event’s exclusive retail sponsor is Neiman Marcus, and proceeds will support the Board’s commitment to the Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Fellowship Program. For more information, contact Ilana Gutman at igutman@luriechildrens.org.

September 2025

Join Team Lurie Children’s as one of our inaugural half marathon members! Help us raise critical funds and awareness for our programs. As a Team Lurie Children's charity runner, you'll receive:

  • Group meet ups to provide motivation for your training.
  • Fundraising incentives and online tools to help you exceed your individual fundraising goal.
  • Dedicated staff contact to support you in your journey to reach your goals.
  • The incredible feeling of knowing that your effort and endurance will provide a brighter and healthier future for the 239,000 patients treated at Lurie Children’s each year.

September 2025

Impact Delivered to Your Inbox

Every Child Update is a monthly e-newsletter from Lurie Children's focusing on inspiring patient stories, advances in patient care and research, and opportunities to get involved with the hospital.