Thank you, readers, for being so incredible!
Taylor underwent brain surgery two weeks ago in Arizona and soon will be coming home to Johnsburg.
If you have any doubt people are good, kind and simply amazing, stop by Lake Zurich Saturday. You'll see that the incredible comes when people pull together.
Just ask Ingrid Skidmore of Lake Zurich Fire and Rescue. She and her colleagues at the firehouse have been deluged with donations for this Saturday's fundraiser for Taylor Radtke's family. Now they just need you.
"We're a little bit overwhelmed at how many people are thinking of the Radtkes," Ingrid said of the continued outpouring of help for the Lake Zurich fire captain's family from Johnsburg. "We have a tremendous amount of donations. We're hoping people will come."
You'll find tickets for the Bears, Blackhawks and Wolves and an autographed picture of Walter Payton among the silent auction items on display during the 4 to 6 p.m. preview period. You can bid on those along with gift baskets galore, restaurant gift certificates and plenty more at the fundraiser at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11 S. Buesching, Lake Zurich.
Along the way, enjoy a brat, sides and a beer or two. The fun starts at 4 p.m. with the silent auction from 6 to 8 p.m. and dancing at 8 p.m. The band Triple Dawg Dare promises to rock the house.
Lake Zurich firefighters and staff joined with the Radtkes' Johnsburg friends and family and complete strangers to help the Radtke family handle the tremendous expenses they face after Taylor, 7, had surgery to remove a brain tumor. "Even though her surgery has been successful, more than we had expected, she'll have long-term care needs," Ingrid said. "We're just so blessed she's doing better than expected."
Two weeks after her daughter's miraculous surgery in Phoenix completely removed the difficult-to-reach tumor, Laurie Radtke said the family is incredibly homesick and eager to see everyone so they can thank them in person. Once Taylor gets a final "all clear," they can travel.
"I wish I could just give everybody a big hug," Laurie said. "It all just means the world to me. It's just amazing."
Not alone
Among the heartfelt notes and calls for the Radtke family that have poured into my e-mail and voice mail the past few weeks, there have also been some gut-wrenching pleas for help for other sick children. The family of a 2-year-old Kentucky girl, whose aunt is a Daily Herald reader, just learned she has a stage 4 glioma.
A local woman is seeking help for a little girl from Cambodia who faces a similar dilemma to Taylor's. The 12-year-old has a pituitary tumor, and supporters are seeking doctors and funding to get her much-needed help. It's sadly clear that the Radtke family's plight is not an isolated one.
I've relayed some of the information y'all so kindly shared with the Radtkes in their desperate quest for help for Taylor. Some of you who have endured similar journeys have agreed to share your sagas with them as well. And a very grateful Laurie Radtke, so relieved to have her little girl doing so well she can soon come home, said she'll do whatever she can to help other parents in the same spot.
"Through this whole thing, Jeff and I said if we can help just one family or help people know (they shouldn't) give up, that's the best thing," Laurie said. "If there's anybody out there that wants to ask us questions, if I can help anybody, I absolutely will try. You just can't give up."
They sure know that, don't they?
Amazing, indeed
If you'll indulge me one more time, I'd just like to tell you how much you have all touched me as you've reached out to help a little girl from Johnsburg most of you didn't even know. Along the way you've helped many others and, clearly, shown us all that together we make a pretty good team.
Sometimes in my business, we get a bit cynical. Thank you for showing us all just how good, kind and simply amazing people really are.
See you in Lake Zurich Saturday night, OK?