Bounce builds community for chronically ill children and their families. 
Greetings!

A Letter From The CEO

Friends,

Last weekend I stood in a perfectly pink & red decorated aisle helping my daughter thoughtfully select Valentine's Day cards & treats for her friends.  

Putting aside the pressure and expectations that often overshadow it for us adults, I took a moment to remind myself what this holiday is truly all about.

Valentine's Day is quite simply, a celebration of love - both the love others have for us and the love we have for them.  In other words, the love that connects us all.  From where I stand, the excitement, joy and love that fills the Bounce community is unmatched. I hope you feel it too!  

My sincere thanks to each of you for sharing your love with me and the rest of the Bounce community. As the Bounce kids say, "you octopi my heart!" 


Happy Valentine's Day!
Joan Steltmann, CEO
Introducing New Bounce Board of Directors Member,
Dr. Ramsay L. Fuleihan at Lurie Children's Hospital
Dr. Fuleihan is an Attending Physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He also serves as the Director of Primary Immunodeficiency Clinical Services, Jeffery Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Lurie Children’s Ambulatory Infusion Center, and the Allergy & Immunology Training Program.

Previously, Dr. Fuleihan served as Attending Physician at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital in Connecticut and Associate Professor and Associate Research Scientist at Yale University School of Medicine.

Dr. Fuleihan earned his medical degree at American University of Beirut in Lebanon, completed his pediatric residency at Duke University Medical Center and a fellowship in allergy and immunology at the Children’s Hospital-Boston at Harvard Medical School. He is a member of several professional organizations including:
     * Clinical Immunology Society (CIS), Chair of the Continuing    Medical Education (CME) Committee
     * US Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET), Principal Investigator
     * American Board of Allergy & Immunology,  Board of Directors

Dr. Fuleihan joins an amazing team of directors already actively serving Bounce.  To meet the entire team, click here here:
Bounce Families:
Join Us for B ounce Bash Space Rocks & Bones
The Field Museum  
 February 18, 2017 from 10:30am-1:00pm
Join us at The Field Museum for an exciting day.  We'll start with a private  Arts and Science conversation with Field Museum Scientist Jim Holstein as he shares amazing information about "shiny stuff" - minerals &meteorites. 

Touch and explore beautiful minerals and gems while learning learn how meteorites help us understand our planet, solar system, and universe.

After a special Bounce group activity, we'll take a private tour of the world-famous fossil known as “SUE”, the largest, best-preserved, and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found. 

And that's not all, there's also a PlayLab Art Studio where kids can color their own pictures of minerals and create their own fiery flying meteors. 

The Museum will be open to you for free exploration the rest of the day.

We hope to see you there! 

Breaking News: We named Bounce's Mascot! 

Over the past couple months, we've called all Bounce kids (and parents, too), volunteers and donors to help us name our official mascot. We counted all the responses and we are now ready to unveil our mascot. 

We are bouncing with excitement as we officially welcome Blossom & Boomer as our mascots! 

A very special congratulations to the winner of Bounce's Name the Mascot contest: Jenny and her two children, Alex & Katy. Jenny is one of our lovely volunteers and donors. 

Thank you all for your fabulous suggestions! 

Bounce Bash™ Angélique Kidjo 
Sponsored by Harris Theater  a musical masterpiece!
Bounce families after enjoying the show!

Angélique Kidjo performed an acoustic "storyteller" concert at a Bounce Bash™ earlier this month. Sponsored by Harris Family Theater, Bounce families were memorized by the music, lighting, and dancing throughout the three-time Grammy winner's show. 

Former President Bill Clinton once said, "the only thing bigger than  Angélique Kidjo's voice, is her heart."  Kidjo's impeccable voice has the power to enlighten and inspire within seconds, so that may seem like a hard feat.  But, her stories are anecdotes of humanity that are just as powerful!

Our sincere gratitude to Harris Theater for sponsoring this magical afternoon for Bounce kids and families; we truly appreciate your continued support! 

A Quick Note: Bounce It Forward Program

Individuals and organizations can ‘pay it forward’ by donating extra tickets to sporting, theatre and other events. These tickets are then be shared with Bounce kids & families providing unexpected moments of fun to restore spirit and optimism for families experiencing the negative emotional impact of frequent medical intervention. 

Bounce Families: Available tickets are posted in BounceNet™, so be sure to register and follow this page for updates! 

Bounce Friends: To donate tickets please email info@bouncechildrensfoundation.org We'll take care of the details then you'll hear from the Bounce child and family about the fun they had using your tickets!

For Bounce Families!
Learn how to say, "I love you" across different languages! 

Do you have suggestions on how to make this Valentine's Day special with your family?

Share with your fellow Bounce families via Bounce Net(TM) !

 A Boost from Bounce...
                                 ...designed to inspire smiles and foster resilience:

     "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward"
                                                                             -Soren Kierkegaard

From simply surviving to truly thriving - until cures are found!