Northwestern Mutual-Chicago Recognized for Philanthropic Outreach with Childhood Cancer Impact Award

CHICAGO - Oct. 13, 2016 - PRLog -- A combination of volunteerism, fundraising, brand and cause awareness led to Northwestern Mutual – Chicago being recognized by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation with the 2016 Childhood Cancer Impact Award for the Central region.  In honor of the recognition, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is donating $25,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

"We are honored to receive this recognition, but more important, is the impact this grant will have in supporting the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children's Hospital," said Corey D. McQuade, Managing Partner. "We have been a partner with the house providing meals for families and engaging our internship team with a day of service painting and providing handyman services.  Now, this grant will go a far way in providing the financial support to ensure a 'home away from home' that keeps families together while their child is in the hospital.

Every night, 153 families are able to heal together because of the comfort, compassion and community found at each of the Ronald McDonald Houses®. Located near Advocate Children's Hospital, Central DuPage Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, the Houses allow families to eat, sleep and find the emotional support they need - just blocks from where their child is being treated. This year, they will provide over 43,000 nights to families during their greatest hours of  need. While they suggest a donation of $10 per night, no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay.

The Northwestern Mutual – Chicago childhood cancer program was created in 2014 to increase awareness and funding for childhood cancer research and to provide support to families affected by the disease.

Since 2014, the local financial planning firm has provided support to families of hospitalized children by preparing and serving meals at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie, assembling care packages for children at Comer Children's Hospital and providing inspirational greeting cards through Cards for Hospitalized Kids.

They have also joined forces raising more than $225,000 for childhood cancer research for Alex's Lemonade Stand (http://www.alexslemonade.org/) for Childhood Cancer Research. Teams and individuals hosted lemonade stands, participated in a golf outing, and ran as charity runners, among other activities.

Participating in the check presentation were: Tessa Budmayr, Strategic Growth Consultant; Holly Buckendahl, CEO at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana; Corey McQuade, CLU®, Managing Partner; Nikki Perryman, Director of Operations; Jack Wambach, CLU® Financial Advisor; and Colleen Castro, Associate Financial Representative, all of Northwestern Mutual – Chicago.

The grant is being awarded through Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer program. To date, Northwestern Mutual and its network nationwide have raised more than $12 million for the cause and helped tofund more than 130,000 hours of research to help discover life-saving treatments for children affected by the disease.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC^®-CNI)
RMHC-CNI is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to care for families of children with complex medical needs by providing a 'home away from home' while their child is being treated in the hospital. Each night, we keep 153 families close to the care and resources they need because of the comfort, compassion and community at five area Ronald McDonald Houses^® and three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms^®. Allowing families to stay close to their child in the hospital, not only supports the health and wellbeing of the child, but saves our families over $10 million in hotel and food costs each year. We are located near Advocate Children's Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Edward Hospital in Naperville and Central DuPage Hospital. RMHC-CNI also operates a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile^® which provides medical care to children in underserved areas as well as a Scholarship Program for local college students. To support RMHC-CNI's mission, visit any Chicagoland or Northwest Indiana McDonald's restaurant and drop your spare change in a donation box near the front register or in the drive thru. RMHC-CNI is an approved BBB Accredited Business and holds a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator. For more information visit www.RonaldHouseChicago.org.

About Northwestern Mutual – Chicago
Northwestern Mutual – Chicago is a leading Chicago-based financial planning firm providing expert guidance to help clients manage financial risk and achieve financial security. The network office is located at One North Wacker Drive in Chicago, and district offices are located at 2015 Spring Road in Oak Brook, 650 Dundee in Northbrook, and 8600 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. Further information can be found at http://chicago-downtown.nm.com.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With $238.5 billion in assets, $27.9 billion in revenues and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.3 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability income and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services. Northwestern Mutual is recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2016.