Community Corner

VIDEO: Cancer Survivors an 'Inspiration' to Us All at Relay for Life

Hundreds turned out for the 2011 Relay for Life event in New Lenox on Friday, led by the DiSandro family, who lost 14-year-old Alicia to cancer in 2000.

In one way or another, we're all affected by cancer. That's the too-true message that rang through the speakers of Lincoln-Way West's football field Friday night as hundreds of survivors and their loved ones turned out to remember those who have died from the disease and to raise money for a cure.

Nick and April DiSandro, , were in charge of the event, which offered food, games and raffle prizes. While those events raised money, as did team members who walked for about 12 hours, the most touching moments were those that honored the hundred or so cancer survivors in attendance and the people we've lost to the disease.

Cancer survivors were called by name before taking the survivor's lap to open the night's events. New Lenox resident Ellen Kranz, who was diagnosed with cancer last October, said she was thrilled to be a part of the giant event and started a team to raise money.

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"I knew I had to do something," Kranz said. "So many people had touched me and given to me that I had to give back."

After the DiSandros spoke, Mayor Tim Baldermann told the audience how proud he was to be the leader of a community that's full of so many volunteers and people wanting to make a difference. He especially thanked the survivors.

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"They're not out here only to celebrate their own survival, but to help others get to that point as well," Baldermann said. "You are truly inspirational ... to the entire community."


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