Lake Forest swim team supports breast care center

Inspired by one swimmer’s mom, the Lake Forest High School varsity swim team raised more than $1,500 for the Posy Krehbiel Breast Care Center at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, officials announced.

The girls were moved by teammate and co-captain Valerie Heidbreder’s mom, Gail, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and then treated at NLFH.

“When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, my sister and I were inspired to help in any way we could,” Valerie Heidbreder said in a news release. “It was great to bring the whole team into the cause, and it meant a lot to work together to raise money and awareness to fight an illness that affects so many people.”

During their two-month season, the team sold special T-shirts and swim caps to fans and visiting teams at each of their home swim meets. They also wore their items to meets and practice to promote the cause.

In total, they sold more than 150 pink swim caps and 200 pink and white T-shirts, which featured the breast cancer ribbon and inspirational phrases “Swimming for the Cure,” “Make a Splash for the Cure” and “Swimmer Support.”

“Everyone came together. The coach, the team and competing schools were extremely supportive,” Gail Heidbreder said. “I was helped by so many wonderful people at the center, and it meant so much that the team could help me give back to them.”

The team presented a check to the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital’s Posy Krehbiel Breast Care Center, which will direct the money toward educational initiatives for future patients, hospital officials said in the release.

“It means a lot to the hospital that we earn the support of the community, and it’s great to see it come from such a young group,” said Jennifer Tepper, nurse navigator at the Posy Krehbiel Breast Care Center. “When the community gives back, it shows us that they have faith in our services. That is a very rewarding feeling.”