Ever imagine riding 109 miles through the southwestern desert with a peloton of professional cyclists (and amateur enthusiasts, of course)? This month I have an opportunity to do just that.

Every year a  group of local riders travel to Tucson to participate in El Tour de Tucson. Not only is this road race a blast, but it is a major source of funding for the University Medical Center and a very special organization called Tu Nidito.

For the past 13 years, Tu Nidito has been the primary beneficiary of El Tour de Tucson with cyclists raising more than $200,000 for the cause each year. These funds are essential to Tu Nidito programs, providing more than 25% of their annual operating budget and supporting hundreds of children each year.

read more about Scarlett

This will be my second year having registered to “Ride For a Child” at the University Medical Center’s 28th El Tour de Tucson. I have been paired with Scarlett, one of the special Tu Nidito kids. Each of these children has had their life impacted by the diagnosis of a serious illness or the death of a loved one. With our help and the support programs provided by Tu Nidito, these children have the tools, resources, comfort and support they need to get through these difficult times.

read more about Tu Nidito

When Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR) was planning its move to its sleek new quarters in the Perkins+Will-designed medical facility on the Rush Medical campus, a number of questions came to mind:

• How would patients find their way to the staggering number of specialists in the building?

• How could the slick space be rendered patient-friendly without compromising its contemporary, uncluttered feel?

• How would patients know they were in the right place altogether?

“Through art, we can address all these questions,” says H. Marion’s interior architect and designer Pam Rosenberg. “We can reinforce forward thinking and a cutting-edge image while softening some of the hard edges of the building.” Both Rosenberg and MOR’s Sports Medicine Head Dr. Bernie Bach emphasize the patient-centered approach they took in art selection. (more…)

In light of the Chicago Blackhawks’ recent Stanley Cup victory, Jan was once again invited to appear on WGN News to provide some insight on how to best preserve historic and sentimental artifacts. Generally, the most effective method of preservation is to frame your items as quickly as possible to prevent degradation from improper handling, storage, and UV light exposure. Remember that each item is unique – your framer can recommend the most appropriate framing method for your specific project.
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NeoCon is where the design world comes together – three days bursting with new thinking, new resources, and new products topped off with networking opportunities, fun and parties. This is the largest design tradeshow of its kind in the world; an opportunity to view all that is essential to this industry whether it be related to healthcare, hospitality, residential or sustainable products.

This year, we had the opportunity to showcase some of our offerings, the most innovative of which is our Prints on Demand program. Available  artwork  can be printed in any size, on any of five unique substrates including aluminum, clear acrylic, bamboo, paper and canvas. This printing innovation breaks down the barriers that used to impose limitations on the choices available to designers and clients alike – it has truly revolutionized the entire design process.

In the Chicago area, hospitals and medical centers looking to de-institutionalize their ambience are increasingly turning to H. Marion Framing, as the perfect purveyor of healing images, from limited-edition to poster-quality to fine art, and now, on any substrate.

For the past two years, H. Marion Framing has been an active component in the support system for Bears Care®.  We have created custom-designed shadowbox framing for jerseys. These one-of-a-kind presentations are then sold through silent auction at functions such as the Bears Care® Gala, “Brian’s Song…So That Others May Live to Sing,” named in honor of Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo who lost his life to cancer nearly forty years ago. Since 1996, proceeds from the event have totaled over $8 million, used toward the battle against breast and ovarian cancer. These diseases have touched all our lives in some way, and Bears Care® is dedicated to raising funds to support research and treatment programs; to helping find a cure, and H. Marion Framing is proud to help.

This is a truly unique evening that gives guests the opportunity to meet and mingle with Chicago Bears players, coaches and staff, while raising money for the cause. For more information about the upcoming 2010 Bears Care® Gala, or if you are interested in attending, please e-mail bearscare@bears.nfl.com or call 847-739-5325.