31st Annual Crystal Heart Ball to Honor the Andrew Weishar Foundation

The OSF HeathCare Foundation at Little Company of Mary Medical Center will host the 31st Annual Crystal Heart Ball on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the Field Museum. Each year, the Ball showcases individuals and organizations for their outstanding accomplishments and service.

The Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award honors individuals whose personal and professional accomplishments embody the ideas, vision and mission of Venerable Mary Potter, who founded the Little Company of Mary Sisters in 1877. This year, OSF Little Company of Mary will honor the Andrew Weishar Foundation with the Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award.

Andrew Anthony Weishar was born on October 26th, 1990. His faith was instilled in him at an early age, as a student at St. Damian Grammar School. He went on to Brother Rice High School where his legacy was further defined. There, Andrew became an all honors student with the highest degree of academic excellence and a team captain as a three-sport athlete. Graduating from Brother Rice, Andrew chose to further his academics and football career at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) in Bloomington, Illinois. Then, in April of 2010, before this list of remarkable achievements could be continued as a student-athlete at IWU, Andrew received the shocking news that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. At 19 years old, Andrew learned that he would need to drop out of school, give up his passion, and begin intense chemotherapy and radiation.

After a couple months of treatment, Andrew was brought to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for an extensive surgery designed to save his life. Unfortunately, nearly one year after that fateful surgery, his cancer recurred. After inspirationally battling the disease for about two more years, Andrew passed peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of October 12th, 2012. Before he passed, Andrew Weishar asked his younger brother Dan to "pay forward" the acts of kindness and generosity shown to their family. In early 2013, Weish4Ever was created to honor this selfless request, specifically by: easing the financial burden, bringing joy, and ensuring patients and their families know they're not alone in this fight against cancer. Today, more than $2 million has been gifted to 400 families and counting thanks to the Andrew Weishar Foundation.

Proceeds from the 31st Annual Crystal Heart Ball will benefit renovations and equipment for a new Aging Well clinic to offer customized, patient-centric programs developed by OSF’s most innovative leaders to meet the unique healthcare needs of adults (age 50+). In a one-stop-shop setting planned at 99th Street and Western Avenue, patients will receive individualized primary care coupled with preventative care and chronic disease management to “age well” and ultimately enjoy more years of healthy living. A digital front door will help us provide the community with increased access, a personal experience and self-guided service, care management and navigation. Patients and their providers will benefit from convenient remote monitoring for conditions like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and COPD. Potential onsite services include: primary care, connection to digital care, physical therapy, specialty care, imaging and mammography, counseling on healthy living and nutrition and a fitness center. With your support, we are able to continue to offer state-of-the-art, Mission-driven care as the hospital of choice for the families of Southwest Chicagoland.

Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner prepared by Blue Plate Catering, music stylings by Maggie Speaks – Talk of the Town Big Band, a raffle, and more.

To learn more or to purchase your event tickets, please contact the OSF HeathCare Foundation at Little Company of Mary Medical Center at 708.229.5447 or visit https://www.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/osf-little-company-of-mary-crystal-heart-ball/.