Memory of Naperville Boy Inspires Light the Night Walk at Berens Park Saturday

Walk in honor of those still fighting and in memory of those lost.

The following article was provided by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Illinois. A young Naperville boy who lost his battle to cancer nearly a decade ago continues to inspire local residents to raise money in pursuit of a cure. Joseph Wisniewski died of acute myeloid leukemia in 2003 and will be remembered on Saturday, Oct. 20, at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Light The Night Walk at Berens Park in Elmhurst.   Joseph’s family and friends will join thousands of other participants to honor survivors, remember loved ones and walk in recognition of those still battling blood cancers. Born in 1992, Joseph was always incredibly social and active. He loved NASCAR, video games and Hot Wheels. In 2001, Joseph was plagued by ear …

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YSET Second Annual Summer Fund-raiser to Offset Student Fees is This Thursday

June 21 event will showcase students' work in extra-curricular activities.

  Editor's Note: The following information was submitted by the York Student Enrichment Team. After a successful first year, wherein $55,000 in grants were made to more than 240 students in support of book, music, athletic and other academic fees, the York Student Enrichment Team (YSET) has announced a Summer Solstice Fund-raiser showcasing student work from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Wilder Mansion, 211 S. Prospect.   “We have come to realize that while we had hoped this would be a one-year effort, students’ needs continue,” said Margaret Harrell, YSET Steering Committee member. “The generosity of this community allowed literally hundreds of students to participate in activities that they might otherwise have missed, based solely …

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Community Will Gather in Support of Elmhurst Father and Marathon Runner Who Suffered a Stroke

Russ Dale has four children, ages 8-15, and his medical bills are overwhelming. Everyone is invited to a fund-raiser June 1 to help defray the cost of therapy.

On the evening of Feb. 22, one Elmhurst family's course changed in a way they never could have imagined.  Immaculate Conception Grade School and York High School dad, Russ Dale, went to pick up his daughter, Kathryn, from an Irish dance class. While seated in his parked car, he suffered a severe stroke. Fortunately, two of his three sons, Justin and Christian Dale, were with him, and Justin phoned his mother, Kathy, for help.  Paramedics arrived quickly and Russ received rapid treatment, first at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and then at Central DuPage Hospital. The doctors removed a blood clot in his brain. Since February, the avid runner who finished the Chicago Marathon just last fall, has required ongoing physical, speech and occupational…

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Elmhurst Realtors Rock'n for the Relay

Prudential Prairie Path's fund-raiser bash will include live music, wine and lots of cool raffle prizes—all hosted on Flight 112's new patio and all for a great cause.

We all have been touched by cancer. That's why the Elmhurst community—and communities all around us—come together to help raise money to find a cure at Relay for Life. This year's Relay is Friday, June 8, at Berens Park. One local team that has been participating for years is the Prudential Prairie Path Realtors Rock'n for a Cure. Prudential Realtor Diane Howarth says they started their team in 2004. "It's such a great cause," Howarth said. "Unfortunately, the very same day we started the effort, my sister Laura was diagnosed." The team usually raises an average of $7,000 each year, and has even hit the $10,000 mark. The whole office either participates in the relay or helps with fundraising for it. The Prudential team, which has been …

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Dave Thompson of Elmhurst Lives to Tell About His 278-foot Plunge Off theWit Hotel

Twenty-seven story plunge will leave him with a story to tell and money for the fight against lung disease; donations still being accepted.

He did it, and he's still around to tell about it. Dave Thompson, 28, of Elmhurst took the plunge off of theWit Hotel on May 6 during Skyline Plunge! Chicago. The former Marine rappelled 27 stories to raise money to fight lung disease. It's not his first time rappelling, but he said he had never done it from anything so high before—278 feet. More than 85 people participated in the event. Thompson didn't quite reach his goal of $1,500—he's more than 75 percent there—but contributions still are being accepted on his page of the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago website. The event raised about $120,000 for the cause. Thompson jumped in memory of his uncle, Phil Naas, who passed away from lung cancer in June 2011.

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Elmhurst Man to Rappel 27 Stories in Downtown Chicago in Memory of His Uncle

A former Marine, Dave Thompson participates in many fund-raisers, including one big one each year. This year, he chose Skyline Plunge! Chicago.

Dave Thompson of Elmhurst will step off the top of the Wit Hotel, 278 feet above State and Lake streets in downtown Chicago, during Skyline Plunge! Chicago next month. A self-proclaimed adventurist, Dave will rappel the Wit not only for an adrenaline rush, but to support people living with lung disease, as well.   Hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Skyline Plunge! Chicago raises money and awareness for local lung disease research, advocacy and education. More than 75 people will participate in the event on Sunday, May 6, and many have been affected by lung disease—including Dave. The 28-year-old is rappelling in memory of his uncle, Phil Naas, who passed away from lung cancer in June 2011.   Phil was …

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Get Out

Raise a Glass, Give a Cheer, Help a Cause, the Weekend's Here!

Plenty to do this weekend in Elmhurst as we inch our way towards spring.

In addition to all the great museum exhibits and library activities in town—as well as some interesting events outside of town—this weekend you can cheer on our Dukes, take in a play, or play games while donating to really great causes. For more ideas, check out our calendar. And, as always, tell us what we missed in the comments. What: Kids' Cheer Clinic and York Basketball When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road Why Go: The York High School cheerleaders will train their mini-counterparts in grades kindergarten through eight at a Cheer Clinic beginning at 4 p.m. The girls will be ready to entertain during halftime of the boys basketball game, which begins at 7:30 p.m. versus Downers Grove North. The event…

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Ella's Story: 'I'm Not Here to Save Her. I'm Here to Take Care of Her'

A Family Fun Day fund-raiser at York High School Feb. 19 will help the Casten family take the next steps for Ella.

Ella Casten is a smart, inquisitive little girl with a smile that will melt your heart. In most ways, she is a typical 1 1/2-year-old. She loves her dog, her toys, and her brother and sister, Henry and Ava. She speaks in cute toddler language and wants to do things all by herself. But she can't. Her muscles won't let her. Ella has a rare, genetic neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy, for which there is no treatment or cure. Her motor neurons are dying, causing her to lose muscle function. She first lost the use of her legs, and now she has trouble reaching and lifting even small toys. Ella was born on June 10, 2010. She started out seemingly healthy, hitting all the normal developmental milestones in her first year. She …

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Eat and Earn Fund-raiser to Help York Families Afford Student Fees Will Be Aug. 18 at Francesca's

York Student Enrichment Team lauds community support for families.

With school just around the corner, the York Student Enrichment Committee has raised more than $46,000, including significant proceeds from last month’s showcase of student talent held at the Wilder Mansion, to support District 205 families in need. “It comes as no surprise that our community has rallied on behalf of this important initiative,” said Diana Smith, principal of York High School. “Our students, parents, faculty and community share District 205’s concern that every student has access to academic, artistic and extracurricular activities during their time in high school.” At the same time, YSET is asking the community to continue its generosity through individual tax deductible donations directed to YSET via the Elmhurst District…

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York Student Enrichment Team Raises $10,000 While Celebrating All that York Has to Offer

Help is available for District 205 families feeling the sting of rising fees for high school students.

A fund-raiser and silent auction was held July 22 to bring attention to the wide variety of enrichment opportunities offered by York High School and to raise money for families who may have difficulty affording the increased fees for those activities. Friday night's event at Wilder Mansion raised more than $10,000, said Deb Conroy, a member of the York Student Enrichment Team Steering Committee. The group's fund-raising target is $250,000, with the initial goal of $100,000 by the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. Between cuts in state funding and a challenging economy, the School Board has had to cut $3 million from the district's budget for 2011-2012 and has had to raise user fees for programs like athletics, after-school activity …

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