Provena Employees Raise Money for Causes Close to their Hearts

It is unusual for anyone to go through life without at some time or another being affected by the disease, but my family and I have found themselves facing maybe a little more than their share of cancer. My mother passed away from lung cancer, my brother had throat cancer and my mother-in-law had lymphoma. When we asked for help, the American Cancer Society gave help and they didn't ask for anything, not one thing.

For the past three years, my three daughters and I have donated our time and energy to the local Relay for Life to support the ACS. I began participating in the Relay in Frankfort and Mokena because of a fellow Provena employee, Maggie Wolff. This year will be my first as the local event Chair.

It's an event that gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. The solemn luminaria ceremony after sunset is the only one of its kind at Relay for Life. A bag is lit for every loss to cancer and names are read aloud to the sound of bagpipes. The rest of the night is intended to be an uplifting celebration.

If you've ever been to a Relay it is just unbelievable. The spirits, the healing, the camaraderie. It's just unbelievable.

Jackie Rosinski
Provena Health Central Business Office

 
 

My daughter Katlyn was diagnosed more than seven years ago with Lupus, and my niece Rachel was also diagnosed with Lupus in February of this year, which makes our efforts and involvement with the Lupus Foundation that much more meaningful.

I am the team captain for Katlyn's Quest for the third year in a row and this is my second year as a member of the planning committee for the South Suburbs Walk For Lupus Now event. I also make homemade wine, "Wine For Lupus Now", and sold 200 bottles last year to raise money for the walk. My goal is to sell 400 bottles this year. My brother-in-law (Rachel's father) and I also started the annual "Links Fore Lupus" golf outing last year, which we are planning again for later this spring.

Before Katlyn's diagnosis, we had never heard of Lupus and had no idea what the disease was. It didn't take long for us to find out and to seek help from the Illinois Chapter of Lupus Foundation of America. They are an invaluable resource to us as well as for thousands of Lupus patients in Illinois. Since Katlyn's diagnosis, my primary goal has been to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research.

John Velliquette
Provena Health Information Services