'He was a really inspiring person even before the illness': Lisle blood drive to honor memory of Chicago man
Greg Nylander didn't believe in "shoulda, woulda, coulda."
In times of hardship or moments of doubt, he would encourage his loved ones to stay positive and keep moving forward, his family said. He embodied his favorite saying, "stay the course," even after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2016.
Nylander, a Chicago resident, died last August at the age of 34 after contracting a rare fungal infection while in remission, said his mom, Kathy Nylander of Lisle. In the two years after his cancer diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, received a stem cell transplant and overcame other health hurdles, she said, yet his positivity never faltered.
Loved ones now hope to honor Nylander's memory with a blood drive April 6 in Lisle. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., donors can visit the Vitalant bus that will be stationed outside Starbucks at 1048 Maple Ave., where Kathy Nylander has worked for several years.
"He was just amazing. He was a really inspiring person even before the illness," Kathy Nylander said. "I have to have him keep making a difference as much as he did when he was here."
During his two-year health battle, Greg Nylander spent more than 200 days in the hospital and had to undergo several blood and platelet transfusions. After his death, his mom said, she was eager to donate so she could help other patients in similar situations.
That's when she decided to reach out to Vitalant, a nonprofit formerly known as LifeSouce, to put on a blood drive in coordination with other family members, as well as Melanie Heckman, Nylander's caretaker and "the love of his life."
The need for blood is great in the Chicago area, where Vitalant has seen a dip in donations the last several months, spokeswoman Kathleen Meyer said. In addition to the treatment of cancer or other illnesses, she said, blood and platelet donations are often used in medical emergencies, such as major injuries or complications during baby deliveries.
"We have a lot of families that do (blood drives) just as a way to honor their loved one's memory, and we love that because it's also an opportunity to help educate people on blood donations and why it's important to do it more than once," Meyer said. "It's a nice kind of partnership."
Nylander, who grew up in Clarendon Hills, is remembered by friends and family for his quick wit, intelligence and work ethic. He attended Hinsdale Central High School and graduated from the University of Kansas before becoming a lead quantitative analyst for a Chicago-based software company.
Nylander loved sports and was an avid fan of his college's basketball team, his mom said. He also loved to travel, enjoyed playing board games and was a supporter of wildlife conservation.
More important, Kathy Nylander said, her son left a mark on everyone he met through his selflessness and ability to inspire others. A blood drive, which she hopes will be held annually, is one of many ways she plans to carry on his legacy.
"This is just the beginning," she said. "I don't know what's going to come next, but it's a start."
Donors are encouraged to stay hydrated, eat well and arrive with proper identification. To schedule an appointment, call (877) 258-4825 or visit vitalant.org and enter Group Code 939B. Walk-ins also are welcome.