In Orland Park: 'Jeanne's Journey for Hope' Aims to Raise $15,000 for Woman Battling Cancer

In October 2012, colon cancer ended Jeanne Kurinec’s life—but it was only the beginning of her caring legacy.

Her three children, determined to perpetuate their mother’s emphasis on serving others, are now planning the fourth annual Jeanne’s Journey for Hope. It is from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19th at the Square Celt Ale House & Grill, 39 Orland Square Drive in Orland Park.

The event will support a local family grappling with cancer, and there is still opportunity for individuals, businesses and organizations to donate items such as gift cards, gift baskets, memorabilia, services, or bottles of wine and spirits (for raffle purposes).

Greg Kurinec, who along with his two siblings founded the charity several months before their mother died, said the goal is to raise $15,000 for a Crystal Lake woman battling metastatic cervical cancer.

He is organizing the event along with his younger brother, Jeff, and younger sister, Michelle. All grew up in Orland Park; Greg and Michelle are graduates of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, and Jeff is a graduate of Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park.

So far, the foundation has raised more than $25,000 to support the American Cancer Society and help three families pay hospital and medical bills or as income replacement if the disease has resulted in a loss of employment.

“Ever since our mother was diagnosed with colon cancer in the spring of 2009, ‘cancer’ has been the last word any of us have wanted to hear,” Kurinec said. “But we know cancer affects so many families, and it feels good to reach out to others who are struggling emotionally and financially the way we have.”

The beneficiary this year is Cindy Dioguardi, who was diagnosed with metastatic cervical cancer in August 2011. The cancer has spread and she is undergoing her fourth round of chemotherapy treatments.

“Our mother was everything to us and always taught us that doing good deeds for others is the most important thing you can do in life,” said Michelle Kurinec. “We hope that with our help, Cindy and her family are more able to tackle some of those unavoidable bills cancer can bring upon us.”

Cindy’s husband, George, said his wife has had medical setbacks such as a 10-day stay in the Intensive Care Unit earlier this year when she experienced medical complications arising from her chemotherapy treatment.

They have received strong support from neighbors and, along with their 17-year-old son, Nicholas, have learned to savor life amid the hardship that cancer has brought into their lives.

“It’s a long road but life goes on for everybody,” said George Dioguardi. “The doctors say her cancer is not curable, and we’re now working at keeping it at bay for as long as possible.”

Friends alerted them to Jeanne’s Journey for Hope. After filling out the application, the Dioguardis got word a short time later that Cindy had been selected as this year’s beneficiary.

“It was pretty emotional,” he said. “I know there a lot of deserving families out there and we were overwhelmed with emotion when we found out we were going to be the recipients.”

Lisa Marie Benton, Marketing and Events Manager for Square Celt, said the Ale House & Grill is glad to support charitable endeavors such as Jeanne’s Journey for Hope.

“We are a community-based restaurant,” Benton said. “Being there for the people who make up our community is an important value to us.”

For more information about contributing a raffle prize, or to purchase a ticket for the event, please contact one of the Kurinecs: Greg (708-769-9182), Michelle (708-307-2903), or Jeff (708-670-2484). Tickets are $50, and can be purchased on the day of the event as well.

For updates, photos of past events and other information, please visit www.facebook.com/JeannesJourneyForHope.

PHOTO 1:

From last year’s fundraiser, Jeanne’s Journey for Hope organizers and supporters gather.

PHOTO 2:

Cindy and George Dioguardi will be on hand for this year’s event. Says George: “We were overwhelmed with emotion when we found out we were going to be the recipients.”

PHOTO 3:

In a 1990s photo, Jeanne Kurinec and her three children, Jeff, Michelle and Greg (left to right).