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Expect Miracles Foundation, formerly Mutual Funds Against Cancer is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the leading advocates in the fight against cancer within the financial services industry. Proceeds benefit cancer patient care initiatives nationwide and cutting-edge cancer research at the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

History
Frank Strauss, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Foundation, began his involvement with The Jimmy Fund in May 1995 when his mother was diagnosed with leukemia. His mother was referred to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute where physicians, despite the odds, saved her life.

While at Dana Farber, Frank saw child cancer patients come in for their treatments with their parents, whose faces carried the weight of the world. As a new father, Frank found himself caught in the paradox of the miracle of new life and the fear of losing a parent. It was then he realized he was in the right position, as a part of the financial community, to attract enough resources, bring people together, and make a difference by investing in a cure.

Today, Expect Miracles Foundation has grown into one of the leading advocates in the fight against cancer within the financial services industry. Since its inception in 1996, Expect Miracles has raised over 8 million dollars for cancer research and patient care initiatives.

Events
Expect Miracles Foundation holds a number of events nationwide. These events bring together hundreds of financial and business executives who are determined to find a cure and raise funds.

Expect Miracles East Coast Classic
Held every June in Boston, the East Coast Classic is Expect Miracles Foundation's longest-standing event. With more than 400 attendees, the event has been the #1 Jimmy Fund Golf fundraiser for two years out of 160 Jimmy Fund Golf Events nationwide. Along with the East Coast Classic, the Foundation also holds a Kids Golf Clinic for children who are currently battling cancer or are cancer survivors.

Expect Miracles West Coast Class
Held every September in Newport Beach, California, 250 people attend the West Coast Classic. This event is continuously growing as support from the financial service on the West Coast has been expanding. Past special guests have included Steve Lyons, former Red Sox Major Leaguer and current Dodgers Commentator; Don Mattingly

Expect Miracles Wine & Spirits Charity Event
Each November the Foundation hosts their Wine & Spirits event in Boston, MA. Held since 2004, this event brings together more than 450 industry executives for wine tasting and auctions. Recently this event has expanded to the West Coast, hosting an event in Denver, Colorado.

Miracle Maker Leadership Council
The Miracle Maker Leadership Council (MMLC) is a select group of current and future leaders in the financial community whose mission is to provide funding to cancer fighting causes and patient care programs where such support is not always readily available.

Membership
The Executive Leadership Breakfast Series is held for current MMLC representatives and prospective members. With breakfast to be held throughout the year, the series features speakers on current business and financial trends, while offering the opportunity to learn more about Foundation and MMLC. All members will commit to a 3 year annual gift, tiered at 4 different giving levels.

Overview and MMLC Responsibilities
Beginning in fiscal year 2012, and continuing until further notice of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, 25% of the MMLC’s annual receipts will be put into the MMLC Fund. Within 90 days of fiscal year end, members of the MMLC’s Founder’s Circle and Chairman’s Circle will determine, with input from members of the President’s Circle and Leadership Circle, allocation of funding award(s) to eligible organizations that meet the MMLC’s charter and the Foundation’s mission and goals.

Funding Awards Eligibility Requirements
Although there are no specific guidelines on the size or budget of a recipient organization, the MMLC program is not designed to assist in funding large national/institution/society entities. The goal of the MMLC is to select programs and causes where funding is not always readily available.

Organizations seeking, or selected for, an MMLC funding award must provide services in at least one of the following areas:
 * Cancer prevention/health projects
 * Cancer patient care support programs and initiatives
 * Cancer awareness and educational programs

Nomination and Selection Process
All MMLC members are highly encouraged to nominate eligible organizations for funding awards. Organizations seeking funding can also apply for the funding award as well.

Expect Miracles Awards
Established in 2010, the Expect Miracles Awards recognize individuals and firms within the financial community for their outstanding support and commitment to the fight against cancer. Award winners are honored at the Annual Mutual Fund Industry Awards, hosted by Institutional Investor, at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City.

The categories of recognition include:

Corporate Commitment Award: Recognizes a firm that has demonstrated an organizational commitment to the fight against cancer.

Company for a Cure Award: Recognizes a firm for an innovative initiative or event in 2011 that helped to further cancer awareness and raise funds for cancer-related programs.

Miracle Maker Leadership Award: Recognizes an individual at an executive or board level who has demonstrated long-standing personal leadership in cancer advocacy.

Inspirational Contributor Award: Recognizes an individual whose personal efforts helped to ensure the success of a cancer-related project, event, or fundraising initiative in 2011.

Past award recipients include: James E. Stowers, Jr., American Century Investments; J.Robert Jones, Jr., Bluff Point Associates; Louise Santosuosso, John Hancock Financial Services; Bernard Garil, UBS; Maureen Leary-Jargo, MFS Investment Management; Eaton Vance; The Haas Group and Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management.

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