To Life! HEALTH & FITNESS Legends Of The Heart Leukemia Foundation endowment named for Sylvia and Harry Brown. S ylvia Brown, 89, met her future husband, Harry, while visiting her cousins in Pennsylvania. She makes it clear that from that day forward, Harry became her partner, lifelong soul mate and dearest friend. Sylvia was 14 years old. Thus began a lifetime of commitment that included the tragic loss of a daugh- ter, the founding of a highly respected Michigan nonprofit, the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan (CLF), and a beautiful love story. The Browns married five years after they met, settling in Detroit. Their first daughter, Abby, was born in 1941 and daughter Sandy was born two years later. When Sandy was 7 months old, Harry was drafted. At 21/2, Sandy fell ill and was diag- nosed with leukemia. Five weeks later, she was gone. Sylvia and Harry's grief was profound. But they were also incredibly strong. Eventually, Sylvia sought solace in school activities. By the time son Barry was born, she was active in PTA, testing her public speaking skills that would one day become her hallmark. One day, she was approached about forming a group for parents of ill or deceased children, and she jumped at the chance. It was that deci- sion that ultimately begat the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. Daughter Abby, 66, recalls those early days. "My family was like no other I knew," she says. "My friends had no idea what went on in my house. We were always spending holidays taking toys to sick chil- dren or tagging along when my parents went to counsel parents of children who were ill. It was a very unusual childhood." Abby recalls an incident in her early 20s when her parents were out of town and she received a call that a friend's child had died. Abby stepped up and went to the home to console the parents. "I don't know anyone who has had such excep- tional role models as parents': says Abby. "My parents are the reason I am who I am today." Meanwhile, Sylvia's organization received a $10,000 grant from an anonymous donor and she was asked to serve as executive director. The first CLF office Sylvia Brown was on Grand River and Schaefer in Detroit. The building owned by a group member who offered it free for six months, then for rental at $50 a month. The floors were dirt, there was no electricity and it needed paint. But volunteers pitched in, and it would serve as the CLF home for 11 years. In 1961, the United Foundation (now United Way) approached CLF about affiliating, promising $20,000 for research and permission to continue agency fundraising. It freed up Sylvia and Harry to increase their statewide promotional efforts on behalf of CLF. The '60s were growth years for CLF. When she was not traveling the state with Harry attending chapter fundraisers and events, Sylvia was relentlessly lob- bying civic and community leaders and CEOs for support. In 1966, Sylvia was awarded the Central Business District Association "Susie Award" as Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year. As the agency continued to grow, indi- vidual CLF branches flourished, becoming the lifeblood of the agency. By 1978, the agency had grown to a staff of four, with a part-time bookkeeper and public rela- tions coordinator, and Sylvia hired Glenn Trevisan to be associate director. Then in 1981, Harry developed cancer, and while he would survive four such bouts during the next eight years, Sylvia Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan • For 55 years, CLF has helped Michigan families cope with the realities of leukemia, lymphoma and related disorders with informa- tion, financial assistance, emotional support, and by funding medical research to find a cure and improve patient care. • CLF serves adults and children with programs designed to benefit the entire family. All services are free. • Since CLF is an independent, Michigan-based foundation, all the money raised for CLF is dedicated to support Michigan families battling these diseases. • Examples of CLF support programs and services include: a holiday toys Black-Ties Gala for Brown Endowment Fund Campaign Sylvia Brown with Harry in 1977 at CLF's 25th anniver- sary celebration at Detroit's Plaza Hotel. decided it was time to retire, but making it clear CLF could call on her anytime. Harry passed away in 1999 at the age of 85. They had been married 62 years. Sylivia still lives independently in her Southfield apartment and fills her life with crafts, social activities and causes. On Saturday, Sept. 15, Sylvia will be feted at "Legends of the Heart': a black- tie fundraiser gala to publicly announce phase two of a $10 million Endowment Fund Campaign. Named in honor of Sylvia and Harry Brown, the fund celebrates CLF's 55th year of service. "Sylvia is continuously offering up her time and her spirit': says Ellen Siegel, an honorary co-chair of the Sylvia and Harry Brown Endowment Fund, whose friendship with Sylvia spans several decades. "She's such a gregarious participant in the world and such a generous contributor to human- ity. She uplifts everyone she touches." Sylvia admits to being "flabbergasted and delighted" at the $10 million endow- ment announcement. Her only regret is that her beloved Harry did not live to see it. "He's still part of everything I do:' she says. "I talk to him every night, and I've told him all about it." But Harry Brown will be there in spirit. Sylvia wouldn't have it any other way. Fl program, patient recreational events scheduled throughout Michigan, peer support programs, individualized casework, mileage and prescription reimbursement and a special needs program. • For more information about CLF, its services or to make a donation, go to www.leukemiamichigan.org or call the office at (800) 825-2536. On Saturday, Sept. 15, CLF will host "Legends of the Heart," an auction and dinner gala to publicly announce the $10 million "Sylvia and Harry Brown Endowment Fund Campaign" and celebrate CLF's 55th year of service. The black-tie gala will be held at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, with a Patron preview reception at 5:30 p.m. and general guest admis- sion at 6. Honorary event chairs are: Cindy Obron Kahn and Dr. Marc Kahn, Ellen Lesser Siegel and Dr. Les Siegel and CLF founder Sylvia Brown. Event chairs are Anne Lehker and Sam Slaughter and Kathryn and David Pothier. Tickets are $150 for general guest admission and $200 for patrons. Reserve tickets now online at leuke- miamichigan.org or call (248) 353- 8222. For more information about the Sylvia and Harry Brown Endowment Fund, contact William Seklar at (248) 353-8222. Leukemia, Lymphoma and Related Disorders ... • Leukemia is the leading cancer killer of children. • Leukemia and related disorders are... the leading cancer killers of adults 35 and younger and the second leading cancer killer of adults 55 and younger (lung can- cer is first). New cases in U.S. 340/day Every 4 minutes 125,310/year New cases in Michigan 12/day Every 2 hours 4,290/year Cost of care • Average length of chemotherapy treatment for a patient: 3 years • Approximate cost per family per year to battle leukemia or related disorder: $83,000. Add $200,000 if the patient requires a bone mar- row transplant. September 6 - 2007 41