Jonathan Michael Schatz, a Northwestern University Zeta Beta Tau fraternity member, was 18 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1990. Jonathan’s fraternity brothers learned of his illness when he asked for assistance in developing a campus bone marrow drive, however, the interesting detail was, the drive was not for him, but for 3-year-old Anna Green of Chicago, who was in need of an urgent bone marrow transplant.

Jonathan and his Zeta Beta Tau brothers rallied the Northwestern and surrounding Evanston community for support, bringing out thousands of students, faculty, and community members for the bone marrow drive. Unfortunately, the following year, Jonathan himself succumbed to leukemia.

In 1992, the Zeta Beta Tau Chapter at Northwestern joined the Leukemia Research Foundation and formed the Jonathan Michael Schatz Chapter, honoring Jonathan’s courage and determination in the fight against blood cancer.

The Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF) was founded in 1946 with a single mission: To conquer leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes by funding research into their causes and cures, and to enrich the quality of life of those touched by these diseases.  For over 60 years, thousands of volunteers have helped the Foundation raise more than $41 million in support of this mission.

Fence-In 2009 will be held on Saturday, May 23rd 2009 in the front courtyard of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity House. Over 200 Northwestern students will be in attendance and will enjoy entertainment from live bands, acapella groups, and dance troupes while tasting a delicious cook-out served by the fraternity brothers themselves, and raising funds for the Jonathan Michael Schatz Chapter through several raffle drawings.