Community Corner
Relay for Life Gets Help from Chili's
The Relay for Life fundraiser to support the American Cancer Society begins at 6 p.m. July 12 at Lincoln-Way West High School.
New Lenox's Relay for Life teams find a variety of ways to help fund the American Cancer Society and its efforts to put an end to the disease.
One local team, Kranz Krew, has partnered with Chili's Restaurant, 2390 E. Lincoln Highway, in time for the 12-hour-long July 12 event at Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 Gougar Road.
Ellen Kranz, a survivor, began walking in the Relay for Life event in 2011, only six months after she had surgery and chemotherapy treatments for uterine and stage four abdominal cancer. For Kranz, the event is "my way of giving back." She has survived the diagnosed as has her 30-year-old son, Ed, and husband Jim.
Ed Kranz, 30, has survived testicular cancer and husband Jim had a bout with early stage cancer in 2008.
The first steps on the journey toward living cancer free started out difficult, recalled Kranz. The diagnosis for uterine cancer was really an opportunity, she said. The initial examination and conversation with her doctor revealed a more serious situation. "I knew there was something wrong, but nobody paid attention to me" until then.
A CT scan revealed a mass in the abdominal area. Once in surgery, a large mass was discovered, Kranz said.
Kranz Krew is one of 30 New Lenox teams with 221 participants who have raised $60,437, so far. The top fundraisers to date are: Angels Among Us, which raised $12,670, and Martino Junior High School, which raised $8,500.
Partnership with Chili's
The New Lenox Chili's is offering to donate 10 percent of each purchase, excluding taxes, each Wednesday during the month of July. Kate Dykstra, manager at Chili's, said she's glad to work with the Relay for Life program. "It's a great cause. It helps out a lot of people. And for the walkers, it gives them a positive outlook."
For more information on Relay for Life, visit the website for New Lenox teams and upcoming activities.
Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Lincoln-Way Patch sites:
Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- New Lenox newsletter and New Lenox Patch Facebook
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
