Villa Park cancer survivor motivated to help fellow Willowbrook grad

Each weekend thousands of people take to the streets of our communities, walking and running to raise money for charities. Every one of them has found a cause to believe in, a bit of hope through helping. And every one of them has a reason for being there.

On Friday, June 4, walkers will begin circling the track at Montini Catholic High School for the Relay for Life of Addison, Lombard and Villa Park. They will take turns with their teammates, walking all night. Some will be walking away from the cancer they hope to leave behind. All will be walking toward a cure for the disease.

Among the survivors participating in the relay is Julie Sparks of Villa Park.

She could be walking in her own honor, as a survivor who has overcome cancer that struck at a low point in her life.

She could be, but she's not.

Now on a mission to help others beat cancer, she is leading the Once Upon a Dream team that is raising money in the name of a fellow graduate of Willowbrook High School. Melanie Camire is in a fight for her life against an aggressive kidney cancer.

Today, Sparks explains the connection she and Camire have to a Willowbrook teacher, and each woman describes her personal battle with cancer.

Relay for Life eventsRelay for Life events are scheduled this spring and summer throughout DuPage County. Here's a look at when and where you can join the American Cancer Society's fight against the disease. For information and links to pages for individual events, visit relayforlife.org.bull; West Chicago/Warrenville: 6 p.m. Friday, May 21, at DuPage Airport, 2700 International Drive, West Chicagobull; Wheaton All Youth: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at Wheaton Warrenville South High School, 1993 Tiger Trail, Wheatonbull; Addison, Lombard and Villa Park: 6 p.m. Friday, June 4, at Montini Catholic High School, 19W070 16th St., Lombardbull; Bensenville/Wood Dale: 6 p.m. Friday, June 4, at Fenton High School, 1000 W. Green St., Bensenvillebull; North Naperville: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St., Napervillebull; Roselle/Bloomindgale: 6 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Lake Park High School west campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosellebull; South Naperville: 6 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St., Napervillebull; Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and Winfield: 6 p.m. Friday, June 18, at Glenbard South High School, 22W750 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellynbull; Carol Stream: 6 p.m. Friday, June 25, at Glenbard North High School, 990 N. Kuhn Road, Carol Streambull; Oak Brook Corporate: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at Oakbrook Terrace Park District, 17W063 Hodges Road, Oakbrook Terracebull; Itasca Corporate: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at Hamilton Partners, 1 Pierce Place, ItascaTrue20001384Cancer survivors walk the opening lap of the Relay for Life of Addison, Lombard and Villa Park. Teams will walk all night to raise money to fight the disease.Daily Herald file photoTrue <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=380875">Teacher's legacy builds bond between cancer survivor, sufferer <span class="date">[5/19/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=380878">Julie Sparks: 'The word 'cancer' changes you' <span class="date">[5/19/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=380877">Melanie Camire: 'It's my body, not cancer's' <span class="date">[5/19/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>