The buzz of excitement, strength, hope and community was felt far and wide on a beautiful, sunny morning at the starting line for the 2023 Walk for Wellness House. While the walkers stretched and runners warmed up, Team Inland, along with many other corporate and family teams and individual participants from across Chicagoland, gathered and celebrated outside of Wellness House for the organization’s 33rd annual walk/run fundraiser on Sunday, May 7. The energy was palpable, with music, balloons and a record-breaking 3,000-plus participants – including adults, children and even pets – ready to race.

Adding to the excitement of the day, a record-breaking amount of more than $767,000 was raised for Wellness House. The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc. served as the event’s presenting sponsor for the 18 th year, and broke its own record to exceed its team fundraising goal.

Established in 1990 and based in Hinsdale, Wellness House is an independent organization that offers free support, education and information to cancer patients, their families and friends. Wellness House is dedicated to providing services that complement medical interventions and exists to improve the quality of life for people whose lives are affected by cancer and its treatment.

Inland has been an avid supporter of Wellness House for 30 years. This year, a record number of Team Inland employees and their families raised $118,468.49 for the annual walk/run fundraiser – the highest amount in Inland’s fundraising history for Wellness House. Lisa Flando, administrative assistant, Marketing & Communications, was responsible for organizing Team Inland and Valerie Luporini, senior vice president – director of marketing and events, served as Team Captain. Dan Wagner, Inland’s senior vice president of government affairs, also served as one of the emcees for the event along with Lauren Petty, health reporter with NBC5 Chicago.

“Each year, the Walk for Wellness House shines a spotlight on this deserving charitable organization in our community that offers hope, education and empowerment for those taking on the challenge of facing cancer,” said Bob Baum, executive vice president, general counsel and vice chairman of The Inland Real Estate Group, LLC and a Lifetime Trustee of Wellness House. As he presented Inland’s check to Lisa Kolavennu, Executive Director of Wellness House, Bob stated, “I am proud that Wellness House is embedded in Inland’s charitable culture, and the contributions our employees make as a team have a lasting impact for Wellness House, cancer patients and their families.”

Over the years, Inland has contributed to Wellness House in a big way through corporate contributions, employee donations, participation in the Walk for Wellness House and solicitation of other donations.

For more information on the Wellness House, visit https://wellnesshouse.org/.