Illinois Division Volunteer Task Force

Celebrating 25 Years of Hope in Illinois

Ann Wheet — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:35:11 -0400

Just got home from the Illinois Division Leadership Summit! What a great event. It was so exciting to have youth leadership join us this year at our event. I know I'm looking forward to all that 2009 has in store for us as we continue to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back! Thanks to the Summit Design Team, Sue, Mary, Staci, Toby, our NLTT trainers and, of course, all of my good friends on the Illinois Division Task Force.

To all of our volunteers in Illinois, it's been a pleasure to represent you this past year as the chair of the Illinois Division Task Force. Thanks for all you do for our survivors and caregivers. You are our hope! May our paths cross again soon!

Ann

Illinois Division Volunteer Task Force

"It's Personal"

Ann Wheet — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:58:55 -0400

This is a "shout out" to all of those Relay For Life teams in State Farm's Creative Services Department. Last week, their Relay teams combined to host a 3-day fundraiser. Why? Because 3 of their coworkers were diagnosed with cancer in the past 6 months. They've lost 2 of their coworkers to cancer in the past year. Yes, it's personal.

Along with selling buttons, quilt squares, baked goods and silent auction items, they also hosted a jail and bail. (Get this... you could buy "get out of jail free" cards prior to the event. What a great idea.) It was amazing to see the items donated for the auction. Creative Services is the "Art" department. These talented individuals donated their music and artwork. One creative individual even donated his time. (You could bid to have him for your personal assistant for 1/2 day!)

Get this... the department head to the entire department out for a walk and gave them a water bottle with a custom label. When they got out on the walk, they asked everyone to fill the bottle with change. (A water bottle full of dimes is $90!)

Illinois Division Volunteer Task Force

How are you doing with your "Fight Back" pledge?

Ann Wheet — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:24:38 -0400

It's hard to believe it's been 7 months since we met in Dallas to learn about the new Fight Back ceremony and pledge. So, how are you doing? I have to tell you, I got off to a slow start. My pledge was a personal health goal. I didn't step too far out of my comfort zone and pledged to have 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Of course, I knew that I really needed to do much more.

Toward the end of 2007, I was looking at all of the volunteer work I had been doing for Relay and my community when it hit me that I really needed to do something for me. I made a new fight back pledge that was going to take more hard work on my part. I set measurable goals of getting back to my wedding-day weight and getting in shape by exercising 3 days a week for 30 minutes.

I started working toward my goals on January 1. I'm happy to let you know that my progress has been steady. (I keep my younger son updated with my progress. His response is always "Great job. You still have a long way to go!" LOL!) And, I've actually increased my exercise to 5 days a week for 1 hour!!

Illinois Division Volunteer Task Force

We'll Miss You, Kathy

Ann Wheet — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:04:10 -0500

Yesterday, one of our survivors and most ardent American Cancer Society advocates lost her battle with cancer. Kathy Farmer had been fighting for many years and this recent battle was just to much for her to overcome.

Kathy was a true survivor. When she was diagnosed with cancer the first time, her odds were not good at all. But Kathy is a true fighter and beat those odds. In addition to her own battle, she lost her "daddy" to cancer 3 years ago shortly after our Relay. Although he knew he was sick, that year he ran home during our event to make extra blocks for our luminaria ceremony as we ran short.

What an amazing and dedicated family. When her mom called to tell me the news, she told me to be sure to pick up the box of crafts that Kathy had made to sell to raise money for this year's event. She never stopped fighting back.

Kathy, we'll continue to walk for you and all who battle this disease. I know you'll be there with me always.