Eleni Bousis: Wise and World-Class

Part of what makes life valuable to me is the ability to support charitable causes that I know positively impact society. I have had the opportunity to attend many notable events throughout Chicagoland and meet amazing people who stand out as individuals who deserve special recognition. Eleni Bousis has made an indelible mark on several charitable organizations. As an avid philanthropist, she has served as a Human Rights Commissioner for Illinois. She is Chairman of the Board of the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Eleni spearheaded raising over $5 million dollars for cancer research through this foundation. The mission of HCRF is to support the research team’s efforts for out-of-the-box innovative research for all forms of cancer, which has resulted in new drugs to fight cancer.

I met Eleni about a year ago at a luncheon that I had attended. Since then, we have crossed paths a couple of times at various fundraising events, and I am honored when she makes the time to come to my shows. Eleni is one of the loveliest women I have had the pleasure to meet. She is a real person with a real cause. When I decided to write an article on her, I wanted to educate myself on her past and what made her who she is today.

According to her bio, Eleni came to the United States as a little girl. She has often said that when she immigrated as a child, her family instilled more than just pride in her Greek heritage; they fostered an abiding sense of duty to help those in need. Hellenic values have been the cornerstone of her remarkable life, and she is dedicated to serving others. Eleni and her husband, entrepreneur Dimitri (Jimmy) Bousis, have four children – Michael, Victoria, Evangelo, and George. After focusing on raising their children, Eleni completed her degree in child psychology, which inspired her significant philanthropic contributions. Under the guidance of the late Archbishop Christodoulos and working alongside her husband, they founded The Dimitri and Eleni Bousis Orphanage in Kakamega, Kenya. Locally, Eleni is a contributing board member of the Little City Foundation in Palatine, Illinois, which serves children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities through housing, education, and training.

Eleni has been active in other human services philanthropy, even teaming up with former President Ronald Reagan to support research for Alzheimer’s disease. For almost two decades, she has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre in Wheeling, Illinois (the only not-for-profit care center operated by the Greek American Community across the United States). She raised approximately $4M dollars in three years to secure the existence of that honorable institution for those in need. Her work to save the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Center (GARCC) is legendary in her hometown of Chicago. She has received a growing list of prestigious awards recognizing her devotion and extraordinary successes in highlighting the history of Greek philosophy and embracing the Hellenic culture.

Eleni credits her husband and soulmate, Jimmy, with fostering a sense of zeal and determination for her work. Through their mutual successes, they developed a deep compassion and empathy that has touched thousands of children and adults around the world. Their love of God provides them with the strength and wisdom to continue their good works.

There is no shortage of extraordinary events that support the causes that mean so much to Eleni and her family. Notably, there are three main events that I will certainly be attending in support of my friend and in respect and honor of the Hellenic legacy. On August 29th, “Cocktails for a Cure” serves as the official kickoff party for the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Gala in November. On September 28th, the 11th National Hellenic Museum Gala occurs at Hilton Chicago. In 2023, the event raised over $925,000 in support of its mission to share Greek history, art, culture, and the Greek American story. Maybe this year, the proceeds will break the million-dollar mark! Last but certainly not least, I cannot wait to attend the 10th Anniversary Gala, “The Wings to Cure,” on Saturday, November 2nd. Held in the majestic Aon Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier, it is one of the best gala’s that Chicago has to offer. Presented by the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation, this special event supports the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University’s incredible efforts to save lives, develop promising clinical cancer trial drugs, and continue innovation.

I look forward to attending this incredible evening where the power of hope and inspiration lift us up, and the wings of success can take flight and soar toward a cure. I am honored to know Eleni and continue to be in awe of what she has accomplished thus far and how many lives she has changed for the better. She truly is a remarkable woman with a heart of gold.

Event Details and Tickets

“Cocktails for a Cure”- August 29, 2024
The Duncan (1515 W Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60607) https://cocktails-for-a-cure.eventlify.com/

“11th National Hellenic Museum Gala”- September 28, 2024 Hilton Chicago (720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605) https://nationalhellenicmuseum.org/gala2024/ “10th Anniversary Wings to Cure Gala”- November 2nd
Navy Pier – Aon Grand Ballroom (840 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611)

https://hcrfwingstocure.org/inspire_events/2024-wings-to-cure-gala/