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The Bernie Mac Foundation
Newsletter
Spring 2013
A Note from the President,
Rhonda R. McCullough
Greetings,
As we prepare to go into Spring, I
would be remiss if I did not extend my
heartfelt appreciation to the Bernie
Mac Foundation officers, board of
directors, staff and volunteers.
I am so honored to have the opportunity to tell you
about the Bernie Mac Foundation’s latest achievements.
In 2008, the United States Congress declared April
as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, in an
effort to bring global attention to Sarcoidosis. During
the Proclamation Ceremony, State of Illinois, Lt.
Governor Sheila Simon proclaimed April as Sarcoidosis
Awareness Month in Illinois. City of Chicago Mayor,
Rahm Emanuel, proclaimed April 11, 2013 as Sarcoidosis
Awareness Month in Chicago.
I was very humbled by the presence of all who attended
the Proclamation Ceremony, which took place at
University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences
System Bernie Mac STAR Center. We were graced with
the presence of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, Dr.
Joe “Skip” Garcia, Dr. Nadera J. Sweiss, University
of Illinois and Bernie Mac Foundation staff, patients,
family and friends. Your support means so much.
I would like to send a heartfelt thanks to the Janine
Sarcoidosis Foundation. Founder and Executive
Director, Emma Carroll invited the Bernie Mac
Foundation to the Ninth Annual Sarcoidosis Awareness
Walk which was held in Houston, Texas. I was honored
to participate in the walkathon and to speak. On
behalf of the Bernie Mac Foundation, I was privileged
to serve as the keynote speaker at the Third Annual
“Stepping Out Against Sarcoidosis” Fundraiser, where
Rodney Reese is Founder and CEO of The Sarcoidosis
Awareness Foundation of Louisiana, Inc. We thank
Emma and Rodney for their efforts in promoting
Sarcoidosis awareness. A great time was had by all.
In our fight against Sarcoidosis, Bernie Mac Foundation
and University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences
System welcomed the first meeting for the Sarcoidosis
Support Group on April 27, 2013. Patient participation
and attendance was excellent. Attendees shared heartfelt
stories, resources, inspiration and encouragement.
Dr. Sweiss at the helm provided patients with her
medical expertise, but most importantly she provided
personalization and hope. We had an awesome time. I
can hardly wait until the next support group meeting.
Our vision is to continue to provide hope to Sarcoidosis
patients everywhere. It is our hope that through raising
funds towards medical research; we will be part of the
puzzle that gets one step closer to solving the mystery
that is Sarcoidosis. We need your help so that we can
forge ahead to make a difference.
Sincerely, Rhonda R. McCullough
Our Mission
Bernie Mac Foundation
150 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
www.berniemacfoundation.org
The Bernie Mac Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to preserving and continuing the
vision and legacy of its founder, Chairman Emeritus, Bernard J. McCullough, who
desired to use his celebrity status to promote awareness and research of the
disease known as Sarcoidosis, as well as to raise funds in an effort to bridge the
gap between the medical professionals who treat and the patients who suffer from
Sarcoidosis, thereby providing support to Sarcoidosis patients everywhere.
April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month!
Joe G.N. “Skip” Garcia, MD
Nadera J. Sweiss, MD
On April 11th, we had the honor of celebrating with
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon, former Mayor of
Chicago Richard M. Daley, Perry Knop, the Bernie
Mac Foundation Staff, friends, and supporters as April
was officially declared Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
in the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago in dual
proclamations by the honorable Lieutenant Governor
Sheila Simon and the honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
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We are proud of this event and very excited about our
partnership with the Bernie Mac Foundation to work
together toward a cure for this refractory disease. Our
team at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health
Sciences System is dedicated to serving Sarcoidosis
patients and to providing the best care, education, and
cutting edge research.
State of Illinois
Office of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon
Declaration
WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is a disease where inflammatory cells grow in different areas of the body, most
commonly in the lungs and skin; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, Sarcoidosis affects 36 in every 100,000 African Americans and 11 in every
100,000 Caucasians, and hundreds of thousands of others worldwide; and
WHEREAS, people with Sarcoidosis have responded positively to treatment, but there is no known cure; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Mac was a famous comedian and actor from Chicago who grew up in Englewood and
died of complications of Sarcoidosis in 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Bernie Mac Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created in Bernie Mac’s honor to raise
money and spread awareness about the disease; and
WHEREAS, the Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (STAR) Center opened in October
2012 in Chicago’s Medical District to further research Sarcoidosis and treat patients with the disease;
THEREFORE, I, Sheila Simon, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby declare April as
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in Illinois; and
FURTHER, I commend the Bernie Mac Foundation for its hard work and dedication to honoring Bernie
Mac’s legacy through its Sarcoidosis awareness efforts and I commend the Bernie Mac STAR Center for its
continued research and treatment of the disease.
Dated this 11th day of April, 2013.
____________________________________
Sheila Simon
Illinois Lieutenant Governor
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Comedy Tribute to Bernie Mac LOL, LMBO were just
two of the acronyms
used to describe the
Comedy Tribute for the
late great Bernie Mac.
Our own Director of
Budget and Finance,
Charoni H. Smith
facilitated this tribute to
honor our Founder and
Chairman Emeritus,
Bernard Jeffrey
McCullough. Held at
Rev’s Revelations in Country Club Hills, Illinois, four of
the hottest comedians – Jeff B., B. Cole, Reggie Reg and
Damon Williams paid tribute to the Mac Man. Hosted
by Bernie’s daughter Je’Niece Nicole McCullough, the
“I am honored to have performed in the tribute to one
the greatest comedians of the century (in my opinion).
It is important that we keep Bernie’s legacy alive and
continue where he left off at and to raise awareness of
the disease he suffered with and help to find a cure for
sarcoidsosis.” ~Reggie Reg
night was filled with laughter. Each comedian reflected
on Bernie’s influence on their lives and careers. The
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comedians dedicated their personal commitment to
provide support to the Bernie Mac Foundation.
“When I began doing stand up as a young kid straight out
of high school, Bernie Mac had given me a shot on his stage
at the Legendary Cotton Club. My performance that night
was totally different than the one I practiced in my bathroom
mirror at home. No one laughed, I felt defeated and Bernie
saw it in my eyes. That man pulled me aside and said keep
going on, take no breaks because they’ll forget about you
quick. 21 years later I’m still going on taking no breaks.
Thanks, Mac Man.” ~ B. Cole
B. Cole’s reflection on the Mac Man was moving.
Comedian Reggie Reg is no stranger to the Bernie Mac
Foundation. Captivating the audience with his “dead
on” impression of Bernie Mac, even Bernie’s daughter
Je’Niece was enthralled.
The comedians’ performances were stellar. The Bernie
Mac Foundation will continue to honor the legacy of
Bernie thanks to the generosity of comedians Jeff B.,
B. Cole, Reggie Reg and Damon Williams. We thank
Bernie’s fans for your support in making this fundraiser
a great success. Kudos to the comedic performances of
four great talents.
Bernie Mac Foundation Events
Baton Rouge and Houston
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Spotlight on Sarcoidosis
There are important days that people remember; birthdays, anniversaries, children’s birth etc. July 27, 2012 is
amongst the days that I hold dear. This is the day I received a call from Mrs. Mary Ann Grossett, Executive
Director of The Bernie Mac Foundation. The Bernie Mac Foundation responded to a letter I had wrote and have
continued to be a vital support system for me, as I deal with my husband who has Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. My
husband has gone from not wanting a double-lung transplant to deciding he will have the surgery to extend his
quality of life. The Bernie Mac Foundation has been a catalyst in providing education and unwavering support to myself and
family. The team has allowed me to shed tears of uncertainty, hope, and joy. We’ve discussed the nuances of
the emotional toll the disease can have on the inflicted and their families, medication adherence and the adverse
side effects of prescribed medications, support groups, etc... No question, inquiry, email, or call has ever gone
unanswered. My husband is my best friend, we do not allow the disease to control our lives. We have good and bad days. Days with oxygen dependence and days without. Moments when one wouldn’t know he has a chronic illness and
moments when the illness has taken its toll. Despite the good and not so good, since July 27, 2012, there has been
one constant, we can depend on the team at The Bernie Mac Foundation to provide advocacy, information, support
and comfort.
Thank you for all that you do for Sarcoid individuals and their families!
Cheryl Bordenave
Board of Directors and Administrative Team
Inspirational
Bernard J. McCullough, ~ Founder & Chair Emeritus
“They say if you don’t have your
health you ain’t got nothing, but
the truth is you ain’t got nothing
if you don’t have no one to worry
about your health.” — Bernie Mac
The Laugh Clinic
“Do not touch my TV, my DVD,
my stereo, my dual-deck VCR. Do
not touch my old school, my new
school, my slow jams, my party
jams, my happy rap, and you better
not touch...My James Brown.” —
Bernie Mac
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Rhonda R. McCullough ~ President
Edward A. Williams ~ Treasurer
Charoni H. Smith ~ Finance and Budget Director
Joseph D. Ament ~ Attorney and Legal Counsel
Mary Ann Grossett ~ Executive Director
Denise Jordan Walker ~ Marketing Director
Yvonne Moore ~ Administrative Assistant
Cheryl Heissler ~ Graphic Designer
Donald Barge ~ Photographer