In August 2003, Rebecca Cutler was about to turn 30 and wanted to celebrate in style, but she also wanted to make a difference. She had recently met with her psychiatrist, telling him how good she was feeling and that she wanted to “give back” by educating others. When she asked him for ideas, he suggested that she contact DBSA.

Full of enthusiasm, she called us about a plan to organize an event in November. When she came to meet with us, her excitement was contagious. She was beautiful and vibrant with life. A successful, well-known editor at the award-winning Chicago magazine, Rebecca was not afraid to take the risk of “going public” with her illness and struggles. She envisioned an evening—something fun and hip, nothing boring—that would educate those attending about bipolar disorder and also raise money to help those who, like she, lived with this illness.

Rebecca’s dream for the November benefit was this: jugglers, performance artists and her favorite DJ entertaining her friends, coworkers and family while they dined under the stunning, stained-glass Tiffany dome of the Chicago Cultural Center. Beneath arches bearing inscriptions praising the wisdom of books, Rebecca would share her own personal wisdom.

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