Project HUGS and Chicago Cubs Outfielder Step Up to Bat for ALS

On Saturday, January 16th, Strike-A-Cord was the host of a benefit to help raise awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Thanks to a strong and successful effort from the David DeJesus Family Foundation, nearly $100,000 was raised through tickets, donations and sponsors such as Project HUGS in order to help raise money to find a cure for ALS.

For $125 per ticket guests were treated with cocktails and once in a lifetime quality entertainment. Guests would receive the chance to watch celebrities and famous baseball players stand up and sing karaoke to some of the latest radio hits along with some oldies but goodies.

“It was an honor to have Project HUGS work with Mr. DeJesus and his foundation to raise awareness for such a severe cause,” stated Project HUGS CEO, Dr. Severko Hrywnak.

The David DeJesus Family Foundation, founded in 2012, was created by Chicago Cubs outfielder, David DeJesus and his wife Kim, to help raise awareness and find a cure for ALS.


Project HUGS Announced as an Official Philanthropy of Weekends with Whitney

Project HUGS (Helping Uninsured Get Surgery) is pleased to announce its affiliation with TV personality Whitney Reynolds, becoming one of the first official charitable awareness partnerships of “Weekends with Whitney” on NBC Chicago Nonstop. Project HUGS’ mission is to provide surgery for those who are uninsured and seeking costly yet necessary procedures. Project HUGS has been performing many life changing surgeries through the Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center in Chicago and continues their medical program across the nation.

“I am honored to work with Project HUGS. There are so many people who are facing serious medical ailments and have no insurance. I am touched by all the great work the HUGS team is doing to change lives here in Chicago and across the country,” commented Whitney Reynolds.

“Weekends with Whitney” will be celebrating its first anniversary in April at Joe’s on Weed, along with welcoming Project HUGS as an official philanthropic partner.  The show airs every Saturday at noon on NBC 5.2, RCN 50, Comcast 341 and W3!.com and features exciting topics, powerful stories and extraordinary people.

“We are excited to be affiliated with such a touching program that connects with its audience on so many levels,” said Dr. Sev Hrywnak, Founder and CEO of Project HUGS. “We hope to increase the awareness of the Project HUGS program and stretch to perform as many surgeries in this next year as we possibly can.”

For more information on “Weekends with Whitney” or the One Year Anniversary event at Joe’s on Weed, visit www.weekendswithwhitney.com.  For more information on Project HUGS, visit www.ProjectHUGS.org or contact us at info@project-hugs.org.


Project HUGS Shares Healthcare Commitments with Michelle Obama

In October 2011, Project HUGS (Helping Uninsured Get Surgery) had the opportunity to spend time with First Lady Michelle Obama to discuss their commitment to the new healthcare reform being done in our country. Being an organization who believes in offering surgery to uninsured patients around the nation, Project HUGS shares Michelle Obama’s belief that while the new healthcare system will not be perfect, it should be implemented.

The Obama administration proposes a government-sponsored health insurance plan, or a public option which would be available to those who could not afford to insure themselves and their families. This plan would alleviate many problems that our country has with those who are uninsured needing medical procedures but not being able to afford them.

“First Lady Obama has spearheaded an approach that deals with this very issue now. Hopefully together we can cut down not only the financial burdens of much needed surgeries, but the overall need for surgery in general,” commented Project HUGS COO Brij Desai.

Project HUGS and Michelle Obama share a commitment for healthcare and much needed benefits for the uninsured. This commitment fueled an influx of applications for surgery from those in need across America.

“We are honored to share time with the First Lady and look forward to making an impact in the surgical field that helps those in need when they need it most. We are going to change many lives in a major way in 2012,” concluded Desai.


Project HUGS Contributes to the Holidays for Children Around Chicago

Project HUGS (Helping Uninsured Get Surgery) is hosting a toy drive this winter season to provide gifts for children in households who cannot afford to give their kids items on their wish-lists for the holidays. The toys will be collected at the Project HUGS’ Harlem Avenue office located in Chicago and will then be donated to various local churches and community organizations. For most of us, the holidays are a time for giving and enjoying time spent with family, yet for some families across the Chicagoland area, the holidays cause unnecessary stress and heartbreak. Celebrate the holidays this year by giving to those in need this season.

“The holidays are a time for families and celebration. In addition to giving back through surgery here in under-insured America, we want to make sure as many families across Chicago can celebrate the holidays with their children. Since most toy drives end around Christmas, we will continue ours through the month of January 2012 so we can add as much joy to the lives of children throughout the year,” said Joanna Brzostowska, Co-Chairman of Project HUGS.

The Premier Basketball League is also dedicated to bringing holiday cheer to families. With several PBL teams participating in the toy drive, fans and supporters are encouraged to mail toys to Project HUGS office in Chicago.

Project HUGS 

2333 North Harlem Avenue
 Chicago, IL 60707

Please visit the Project HUGS office located inside Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center at 2333 North Harlem Avenue in Chicago to make a toy donation. For more information on Project HUGS email us at info@project-hugs.org


Leadership From Chicago Based Health Care Initiative “Project HUGS” Invited to Clinton Global Initiative

CHICAGO, June 29, 2011 /CNBC via COMTEX/ — Two members of Chicago based Project HUGS leadership team were invited to attend the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in Chicago June 29th-30th. Project HUGS is a non-profit focused on bridging the gap found in the American health care system, with the ultimate goal of Helping Uninsured Get Surgery. CGI’s goal of economic growth rooted in global stability is the fostering ground for short-term solutions and long-term strategies that will revive the United States economy. One of the largest burdens on America’s budget is the ever increasing health care cost of the uninsured.

In a time of economic uncertainty and legislative reform, far too many individuals and families are unsafely living without health insurance. Basic care, quality of life treatment and surgical procedures remain out of reach for thousands who are in desperate need of such aide. Project HUGS (Helping Uninsured Get Surgery) is a no cost surgery program serving individuals who are seeking costly yet necessary procedures, but are uninsured.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to share ideas of American economic growth with leaders from around the world. Project HUGS is the starting ground for health care policy reconsideration. As a medical doctor I see the need daily to take some of the burden off America’s dwindling health care system. We have built a team that shares this common goal,” commented Dr. Severko Hrywnak, Founder and Co-Chairman of Project HUGS.

In addition to his role with Project HUGS, Dr. Hrywnak is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center in Chicago as well as president and Chief Executive Officer of Elmwood Park Immediate Health Care Centers.

Also in attendance for CGI America’s program is Project HUGS Executive Director, Brij M. Desai. Mr. Desai is also Chief Operating Officer for @SportsTV Network, an interactive health, fitness and sports television network, and FliXpress, a groundbreaking service allowing users both consumers and businesses to produce high end 3D animation and video in minutes using only a web browser.

“It is amazing to sit with such high caliber global leaders. From my background in both business and the non-profit sector, I have had the opportunity to see markets shaped in the very rooms I sit in today. We are honored to be included, and are excited about changing the world through our initiative,” said Brij Desai.

One of the core goals of the Clinton Global Initiative is to generate employment for the roughly 13 million Americans currently out of work, businesses, governments, and nonprofits will need to work together to unleash innovation, rebuild infrastructure, and invest in targeted worker training.

“True leadership comes in many forms. President Clinton has led the way on issues pertaining to jobs and economic growth since the days he walked the halls in Arkansas’ executive offices. We are excited to be part of the process,” continued Hrywnak.

Project HUGS official launch is set for July 15th, 2011 in Chicago, IL. With an unprecedented response prior to launch, the Project HUGS team anticipates applications for their program to be in the thousands.

For more information on the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago, visit www.CGIAmerica.org. For additional information on Project HUGS visit www.Project-HUGS.org, or email us at www.project-hugs.org.