In the Spirit of Hope

The Dolan Family is establishing the John Morgan Dolan Endowment Fund at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to celebrate the memory of their son, John Morgan Dolan. On April 7, 1990, John's spinal cord was severed during childbirth and he was paralyzed, unable to breath unassisted, swallow, or talk. For two and a half years, John inspired family and friends with his spirit. After John's death in 1992, it became Dan Dolan's goal to work toward improving the lives of individuals who are physically disabled.

Dan Dolan has been involved with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) for many years, and it is in memory of John Morgan Dolan that, with the help and support of the Associate Board, he started the first John Dolan Golf Challenge in 1995 to raise funds for RIC. It was through the success of this event that the Dolan Family recognized the need to establish more ways to increase philanthropy to support programs at RIC. With the establishment of this fund in John's name, the family hopes to inspire others to contribute to this legacy of hope.

In the Spirit of Giving

Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report has consecutively ranked RIC as the #1 rehabilitation hospital in the nation. Gifts made to the John Morgan Dolan Endowment Fund will help to support the Free Care Program for underserved disabled children, on-line access and the development of educational materials for patients and families, and support of RIC's sports program, which provides sports and recreation programs free of charge for individuals with disabilities.

The Need

More than 60% of children treated at RIC are on public aid or have no form of health insurance. Medicaid and many insurance plans do not cover electric wheelchairs, myoelectric prosthetics and communication devices that would significantly increase independence and quality of life. RIC is able to help provide these underserved patients with the treatment they need through the Free Care Fund.

As the leader in physical rehabilitation, RIC is committed to providing education to patients and their families through the establishment of the Life Center (Learning, Innovation, Family & Empowerment). This will provide programming at 28 locations of care designed to address the emotional, recreational, educational, and medical dynamics of living with a disability. Through this educational outreach, RIC will help individuals with disabilities return and contribute to work, school, and their communities. Seed funding for the Life Center is needed to establish a permanent library and for programmatic development.

RIC's Galvin Health & Fitness Center is a full service physical training center free of charge to individuals with disabilities. The Center gives participants the resources to reach rehabilitative goals and make lifestyle choices that can positively impact their future. Also based at the Center is an active sports program which provides opportunities in 19 different sports and recreation activities to individuals with physical disabilities. These sports programs are funded exclusively by philanthropic support.