Community Corner

Goombay Bash has Record Turnout to Fight Cancer

The annual event, which originated in La Grange, raised thousands of dollars for cancer research. Check out photos and hear what attendees had to say.

A record number of people attended this year's Goombay Bash to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research. 

The H Foundation, and the Goombay Bash event, has raised more than $4.5 million for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. The funding is used as seed money for basic science cancer research projects.

"It's incredible," said John Rot, who founded The H Foundation after two co-workers were diagnosed with cancer. "This is our best turnout at any Goombay and the room is just full of excitement."

The foundation began at Horton's Ace Hardware in La Grange, and the Goombay Bash has since grown to an annual must-attend event for people throughout the Chicago area. 

The event drew a record 1,300 people and, as of Monday, raised $540,000, according to The H Foundation director Kate Harken. 

Besides delicious food and drinks, there's a casino, silent and live auctions, fireworks and special guests. Former Chicago Bears players Alex Brown, Adrian Peterson and Desmond Clark were joined by current Chicago Bull Jimmy Butler and former Bull Bill Cartwright. White Sox legend Ron Kittle was there, as was Cheers actor George Wendt. 

READ MORE: The story behind the Goombay Bash. 

Check out photos from the event, and share your thoughts about the Goombay Bash in the comments.

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