Fundraiser for woman with cancer draws big crowd
By her own estimation, Joan Evans received “thousands” of hugs Saturday night.
She found herself overwhelmed by the turnout of hundreds of people who attended a fundraiser organized in her honor at Ringside Sports Bar in Elk Grove Village.
Every one of them wanted to comfort Evans as she deals with treatments for her advanced breast cancer while trying to keep up with the needs of her four children with disabilities.
“Everyone has been so wonderful,” Evans said in between tears. “We’re so blessed.”
Organizers estimated nearly 500 people attended the event, far greater than they had ever imagined, and guests donated generously. One man wrote out a $10,000 check, while others filled a basket set out with their contributions. They tentatively think they may have raised $50,000 from the event, after guests paid only $35 to attend.
“We’re overwhelmed,” said Patti Stockwell of Huntley, Evans’ sister-in-law who put the event together in less than five weeks. “We had no clue to expect anything like this.”
People stood shoulder-to-shoulder inside the restaurant, and the overflow crowd spilled out into the parking lot. Those who wanted to contribute but didn’t want to face the crowds made drive-by donations.
“It’s simple: People like to help other people,” said Steve Russo, owner of Ringside. “The economy is tough, but people find a way to help. Seeing this makes everything worthwhile.”
Individually, guests lingered with Evans. They held her hands and whispered in her ear, offering prayers, moral support and love as she deals with her own health issues after years of caring for her four children with disabilities.
“It’s too much for one family to handle,” said John O’Keefe, owner of the McDonald’s franchise in Elk Grove Village.
He and his wife, Karen, pledged to donate a year’s worth of meals to the family, and they are in negotiations to organize a community day, where the proceeds would benefit Evans and her medical costs.
A story in Tuesday’s Daily Herald recounted Evans’ health issues now sapping much of her energy in caring for her 18-year-old triplets with cerebral palsy — including one who is wheelchair bound — and her 12-year-old son with autism.
The Evans children were in attendance Saturday night, and they were not alone. Many families with children with disabilities turned out, and they all wanted to meet Evans and her husband, Mark.
“This is my world, families of children with disabilities,” Evans said, as she pointed to those she had met through services at Clearbrook, at Arlington Pediatric Therapy Clinic, at Elk Grove High School and even through a buddy baseball team.
Stockwell said that after the initial story ran, she received 200 phone calls with offers to help and make donations. That response and Saturday’s turnout now has boosted her confidence. She dreams now of raising $100,000 for the family’s expenses.
Even more importantly, she hopes someone might donate a handicapped accessible van.
To make a donation, make out checks to Joan Evans and mail them to 10595 Grand Canyon Ave. in Huntley, IL, 60142, or visit: www.joanevans fundraiser.com.
Fundraiser: Evans’ sister-in-law says she hopes to get a handicapped accessible van for family