Black Tie Gala

People Providing Hope Through Research, the theme of this year's Black Tie Gala honoring the Gordon and Carole Segal, couldn't be more true.  Watch the video to see the importance of their financial comittment to arthritis research.

Arthritis Foundation Gala Video 091013 from Laura Szymber on Vimeo.

 Co-Founders of Crate & Barrel Received Arthritis Foundation’s

2009 Freedom of Movement Award

The Arthritis Foundation presented Gordon and Carole Segal, co-founders of Crate & Barrel, with the prestigious Freedom of Movement Award. The award was presented on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the 20th Annual Arthritis Foundation Black Tie Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

The Freedom of Movement Award acknowledges leaders in the advancement of research and awareness for the management, prevention, and cure of arthritis, the most common cause of disability in the United States.  The Black Tie Gala is established as a special evening of recognition attracting more than 500 medical and business professionals.

Gordon and Carole Segal were honored for their support of osteoarthritis research funding to advance discovery in diagnosis, treatment and ultimate cure of osteoarthritis. The Segal Osteoarthritis Research Initiative is focused on improving patient management and is the largest donor of osteoarthritis research in the country. Each year beneficiaries of the fund come together at the North American Osteoarthritis Workshop (SNOW) in Chicago to share their research findings. SNOW 2009 took place the same weekend as the Black Tie Gala so as to bring together osteoarthritis researchers and donors.

The event raised over $225,000. Funds raised go to continuing support of arthritis research, education and programs both at the national and local levels.

Raffle prizes included United Airline First Class tickets to fly anywhere in the world, a shopping spree at Crate & Barrel and a Jefferson Beach Motorized Luxury Yacht Cruise on Lake Michigan for 10 with cocktails and hors'doeuvres. Winners included Melissa Carnrite of Crystal Lake for the United Airline tickets, Jennifer Posner of Evanston for the shopping spree and Eric Ruderman of Evanston for the yacht cruise.

Previous recipients of the Freedom of Movement Award include Dr. Rowland W. Chang, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Steve Cochran of WGN Radio and football great Joe Namath.