The American Cancer Society in Illinois Praises Outgoing Chicago

North Barrington Resident, Dan Murphy, has left behind an incredible legacy of volunteer chair leadership for the American Cancer Society’s Select Golf Invitational at the Medinah Country Club. The Idealease, Inc. President and well-known community member served as chair in 2019 as well as this year’s event, which raised $840,000.

“This was no small feat,” said Michael Ziener, Executive Director, ACS Illinois. “Despite the precipitous impact COVID-19 has had in the fundraising space across many charities, Dan’s fearless leadership not only helped us rally in the face of a pandemic, but also managed to break a revenue record.”

In fact, at our live auction, ACS raised $88,000, more so than ever before.

“Over this quarter-century, Chicago Select Golf, and its incredible volunteer leaders, have raised over $20 million for cancer research - saving thousands of lives,” said Peter Steele, Vice President of Distinguished Partners for ACS in the North Central Region. “In the past couple of years, Dan himself has chaired this incredible philanthropic event, which has contributed to our fundraising success to date.”

Those who gathered for this year’s on-the-course event were greeted by Dan and were already familiar with why supporting ACS’s mission of attacking cancer is so important to him. The North Barrington Community member has educated others in his network that 1 in 3 persons will hear the phrase “you have cancer” in their lifetimes, which could be a loved one.

“I believe this number can improve during our generation,” said Murphy, “In the U.S. we already have more than 15.5 million cancer survivors, but we will not be satisfied until we find a cure for all.”

2020 brought immense challenges to ACS’s mission, and the charitable organization has never faced a threat to its mission like COVID-19. Reflecting on the great challenges we have seen, Murphy leaves behind a message for the next chair, Vaughn Moore, to keep in mind, as our communities unite together to battle this disease.

“As the Society adjusted to a new world, I personally found a way through Chicago Select to contribute to furthering the ACS mission,” he said. “I look forward to and am counting on next year’s leaders to keep fulfilling the great need to support cancer patients in the years to come.”

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of nearly 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org