Trek Bicycle recently held an “It’s about the Bike” auction in New York City. Featuring seven custom painted, one-of-a-kind Trek bicycles, the auction raised an unprecedented $1.25 million to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s cancer research, awareness and advocacy programs.

The auction was part of STAGES, a global art exhibition designed to raise both funds and awareness for cancer research, treatment and prevention. More than 20 renowned artists devoted their expertise and created unique artwork to be showcased and ultimately auctioned off for Armstrong’s cancer fighting foundation, LiveStrong.

As part of STAGES, Trek, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Nike and some of the most recognized and influential contemporary artists from across the globe teamed up to create a unique collection of bicycles that blur the lines separating art, culture, and technology.

"Each of these artists gave their time to this cause," said Armstrong in a LiveStrong press release. "Through the dollars that we raise, we'll increase awareness, fund research and work to end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face."

Raising an unprecedented $500,000, the exhibition's undisputed favorite was the Damien Hirst-designed "Butterfly" Trek Madone, which featured hundreds of real, shimmering insect wings affixed to the bicycle's frame and rims. Armstrong rode the distinctive piece of artwork during the final stage of the 2009 Tour de France.

Other bikes auctioned included Shepard Fairey's elaborately decaled Trek Madone, ridden by Armstrong during this year's Giro d'Italia, which generated $110,000, and Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara's Trek Speed Concept, ridden by Armstrong during the 2009 Tour de France's Annecy time trial stage, which garnered $200,000.

In honor of National Alzheimer Disease Awareness Month the U.S. Bank Tower, 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., will shine a purple hue which serves as the beacon of hope for the 50,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin who have Alzheimer’s disease.

 “The U.S. Bank building is such a community icon. Having the top floor lit purple will start a lot of discussions in the community,” said Tom Hlavacek, Alzheimer’s Association Executive Director.

Alzheimer’s disease affects 5.3 million people in the U.S. and more than 26 million worldwide. The 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report indicates that those numbers are increasing and by 2010 there will be nearly 500,000 new cases each year. By 2050 there will be about one million new cases every year.

 “Our goal at the Alzheimer’s Association is to provide support, education and care, and funding research into prevention, treatment, and someday a cure,” said Hlavacek.

The United Community Center recently held its annual employee auction as their way of giving back to the United Way campaign. The employee auction included an opportunity to participate in a “Boxing with Shorty” event which gave employees the opportunity to make a small donation and nominate their colleagues to spar with UCC Boxing Program and USA Olympic Boxing Coach Israel “Shorty” Acosta.

UCC’s director of youth programming, Virgilio Rodriguez won the opportunity to face off against Shorty.

In a surprise announcement, he had Milwaukee Bucks’ center Dan Gadzuric step into the ring in his place. After three one-minute rounds, the match was declared a draw, but helped increase the amount of money raised for the United Way campaign through the employee auction to more than $8,000. The total contribution from UCC was more than $46,000.

Bring soup see soup

Milwaukee Art Museum visitors are encouraged to bring soup cans, or other non-perishable food items, for the Hunger Task Force from Tuesday, Nov. 10 until Sunday, Nov. 22.

To thank visitors for their generosity, anyone making a food donation will receive $2 off museum admission to see the Andy Warhol: The Last Decade exhibition and the entire Warhol experience.

Food items will be collected in barrels designed to reflect Warhol’s iconic screenprints of Cambell’s Soup cans. All donations will help the Hunger Task Force prevent hunger in our community this winter.  

Andy Warhol: The Last Decade, which has been recognized by both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times as one of the notable exhibitions to see this season, runs through January 3, 2010. For more information, visit www.mam.org.

Equitable Bank food drive

The Equitable Bank, Milwaukee, will also host a food drive in conjunction with Hunger Task Force and outlying food pantries from Monday, Nov. 9 until Friday, Nov. 20.

“As a community bank, one of our primary missions is to serve the families in the markets we serve,” said John Matter, President and CEO of The Equitable Bank.

In order to increase the amount of donations, Equitable will be giving away reusable grocery bags to each customer who donates 5 or more non-perishable goods.

“We want to get our customers involved in this great cause and thank them for doing so,” said Matter.

The Equitable Bank has branches in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Racine Counties. Donations at each branch will stay in those communities.

“We work to assure that a safety net remains available to help feed the need of the community,” said Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Hunger Task Force.

Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County (CCC) encourages the community to drop off new, unwrapped toys between Monday, Nov. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 16 at toy drop-off locations throughout Waukesha County. Toys collected will stock the shelves of the CCC’s annual Toy Shop, December 19 for children in need in the County. Toys may also be purchased and sent directly to CCC through either the Walmart or Target gift registries. Instructions for gift registries can be found on the CCC web site as well as addresses for drop off places: www.christmasclearingcouncil.org

For more information about drop-off locations, volunteering or sponsoring a family, call (262) 549-NOEL (6635).

A volunteer group from the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce’ Leadership Waukesha program helped a homeowner get her Moreland Boulevard home ready for winter by raking leaves and cleaning gutters. The volunteers were part of the Interfaith Senior Programs Fall Cleanup project that helps seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes.

Pictured are: Back row: Aimee Heineck,  Kevin Rice, Mark Kintop, Ruth Ann Kintop, John Kramp and Mike Kinateder

Front Row:  Matt Scherr, Daniel Rice

BizTimes Milwaukee has announced the winners of its 2009 Health Care Heroes Awards.

The awards honor people and organizations that are making a positive difference on the front lines of health care in southeastern Wisconsin.

The recipients will be honored at the 2009 BizTimes Health Care Heroes Breakfast, which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Hotel in Wauwatosa.

The public is invited to attend the breakfast to celebrate the achievements of the Health Care Heroes. The event will be emceed by WISN-Channel 12 news anchor Patrick Paolantonio. For additional information about the event, visit www.biztimes.com/hero

This year's Health Care Heroes are:

Grand Achievement Award

The research team led by Dr. Stephen Duncan, Marcus professor in human and molecular genetics at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, which successfully produced liver cells from patients' skin cells, making the next great advancement in stem cell therapy.

Advancements in Health Care

Community Service

Corporate Achievement in Health Care

Health Care Staff

Nurse

Physician

Volunteer

The Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired will host Dining in the Dark, a fundraiser designated to raise awareness and develop a deeper understanding of what it is like to be blind.According to the organization, by 2030 the number of Americans affected by age-related blindness is expected to double. Dining in the Dark will be held at Bacchus, 925 E. Wells St., at Sunday, Nov. 8 beginning at 5 p.m. Dining in the Dark allows individuals to eat an entire meal in complete darkness, with the aid of low lighting and a blindfold. A special menu was created by award-winning chef Adam Siegel to stress the sense of smell, taste and touch. Tickets for the event are $250 and include a four course meal, wine, beer and valet parking. Visit www.dininginthedarkmke.org for more details.      

Last year, Pam Kassner, owner of Pam Kassner, Super Pear Strategies, LLC in Pewaukee, read about Medals4Mettle in a runners magazine. As a runner herself, she was impressed with the runners who were doing good deeds in their community and started the Milwaukee Chapter of Medals4Mettle.

Medals4Mettle collects finishers' medals from half marathons, marathons and all distances of triathlons and endurance running sports and re-gifts them to patients fighting chronic or life threatening illnesses, as well as survivors.

“It has been clinically proven that a positive attitude is everything when it comes to a patient’s ability to get well,” Kassner said. “Like endurance athletes, patients and survivors have demonstrated similar hard work and suffering to reach their goals, we give them these medals as inspiration, and to let them know they are winners and we are behind them all the way.”

Kassner has formed a relationship with Children’s hospital of Wisconsin and recently visited the hospital’s burn unit to give medals to children there. Kassner hopes that the organization can form relationships with other units at Children’s as well as other hospitals and support organizations in the area.

“In just one year we have collected more than 200 medals from all over the world,” Kassner said.

Kassner’s first two medals she earned herself went to her sister-in-law who was battling breast cancer and her nephew who was fighting leukemia.

While the organization typically collects medals from endurance competitions like Iron Man, marathons or triathlons, gold medalist Olympic Speed Skater Bonnie Blair has also donated to the cause, Kassner said.

“We always try to give the athletes the opportunity to gift their medals themselves,” Kassner said. “If they can’t do it in person, they can write a letter to the patient or fill out an information card as well.”

According to Kassner, the organization has no national budget. Athletes can donate their medals by emailing Kassner at: pam.kassner@medals4mettle.org. or contribute to the cause by donating money for the Medels4Mettle ribbons which replace the originals.

Olympic gold medalist speed skater Bonnie Blair and professional triathletes Lauren Jensen and Heather Haviland visit with a "little champion" at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. 

Photo by Debbi Wilson

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