Seven years of breast cancer survivors' group worth celebrating
It's been seven years of friendship, encouragement, hope, and sometimes tears.
For Audrey Munger and other local cancer survivors, it is also a milestone that is well worth celebrating.
The Sun City Breast Cancer Survivors Group will hold its seventh anniversary luncheon Wednesday at the Hideaway Cafe in the South Street Marketplace, off Route 31 in Elgin.
The pay-as-you-go party starts at noon, and all members and interested persons are invited to attend.
"This is a big occasion for us," says Munger, who founded the group when she moved to Sun City in 2000. Then, in her second year of recovery, she felt isolated and wanted to find a way to connect with others who shared her experience.
"It's a tough time, and you think there must be someone else out here going through the same thing," Munger said.
"I thought it would be nice to have these ladies over for coffee, to talk about our stories."
"We're not a pity party. It's nothing clinical at all, just friends getting together. It's always nice to meet new people."
The informal support group began with four or five women who met in each others' homes, Munger said. It now has around 30 members who meet monthly to share their stories and friendship.
The group is open to women or men who live in Sun City, who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, are being treated for it or have recovered from it. Each year, the group gains up to four new members, but also loses some to the disease.
Its main purpose is social interaction, Munger said, but the Sun City Breast Cancer Support Group also raises funds to help those suffering from the disease.
Each September, the group's annual Breast Cancer Walk draws over 100 participants and generates thousands of dollars for local projects and cancer research. This year, the group raised around $8,600 to help Huntley-area cancer patients and organizations.
"We try to give to the surrounding area first," she explained.
"We give to District 158 children who have cancer, and to groups like the Sew-N-Sews, the Head-Huggers and Project Linus for their projects. This year, we also gave $1,000 each to three national cancer research foundations."
The Sun City Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month, usually at the MidAmerica Bank on South Route 47. This month, they'll meet instead in Elgin for their anniversary luncheon; in December, a holiday party is planned at a member's home.
Regular meetings at the bank building will resume in 2008. For details about the group and its schedule, call Audrey Munger at (847) 669-3598.
Play bingo, beat cancer: Another area organization is coming to Huntley to raise money for pediatric cancer patients.
On Wednesday, the Chicago Thunder Football Club will host a bingo fundraiser at the Huntley American Legion Hall on Coral Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 7 p.m. The public is invited.
The Huntley bingo party will benefit Friends for Patsy, a not-for-profit organization that assists families with children who suffer from Ewing's sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer that requires aggressive and expensive treatment. For details, e-mail Marianne Ricciardi at Marr1252@aol.com.
Cub Scout breakfast: Cub Scout Pack 467 of Huntley-Lake in the Hills will host its third annual Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Huntley American Legion Hall on Coral Street.
Each year, the group serves around 400 breakfasts to raise money for patches, badges and scout activities. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children ages 3-10. Call Leslie at (847) 669-3115 by Nov. 3 and get $1 off each adult and senior ticket.