Meet the Innovators
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Jen VanEekeren
Jen VanEekeren and her husband Luke joined Lurie Children’s Innovators as a way to honor their son Vincent James who lived for only four days due to a complication at birth. The VanEekerens were so touched by all of the doctors and nurses that supported them and were searching for a way to give back to Lurie Children’s. Jen says that taking an active role in shaping research and advancing lifesaving treatments is the best way they can honor Vincent’s memory.
Jen isn’t only an invaluable member of Innovators. She’s also a mom to four children—Ben, Nicole, Ryan and Joshua. It is Jen’s goal to be there for all of her children’s precious moments, both big and small. She attends sporting events and dance practices and volunteers in the classroom. She also serves on the admissions tour committee at the school her children attend and has chaired the Annual Fund for the school for two years with Luke.
On the weekends you can find Jen and the VanEekerens enjoying time with extended family, hanging out with their dogs and taking in all Chicago has to offer.
We are very grateful to have Jen’s support as we work together to discover lifesaving cures and breakthroughs for children locally and across the world.