Christmas Without Cancer 'Harvests' Support Locally

In recent years, Christmas Without Cancer founder Gerri Neylon has “harvested” “unsolicited” support from local residents eager to help local families faced with cancer at Christmas.

Most recently, a close-knit group of family friends simply conceived a “Harvest of Hope” theme to raise money for Christmas Without Cancer by renting Jacob’s Well Saturday from 3 until 7 p.m. and inviting friends to an afternoon of “fun, friends, music, food, drinks and raffle prizes.”

Baby sitters will be in high demand for this “adults-only” fundraiser that plays out like an indoor tailgate for the Notre Dame v. Northwestern tilt Saturday night.

Therapist Michelle Wood - with a practice in Evergreen Park - has not had to deal directly with cancer in her family, however, her heart aches for those she encountered “professionally” and watched “personally” deal with the impact on families. Christmas Without Cancer, in its 15 crusade, “peaked” her interest and spurred her enterprising nature.

“I just had the idea that we should see what we can do to make alittle money to help out,” said Wood of Oak Lawn. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact Christmas Without Cancer has on families faced with cancer, and I know they are forever grateful.

“Christmas Without Cancer has been helping a lot more people in recent years so they need more resources to do that. What they do is really touching, helping whole families in their greatest time of need and at a time it can have the greatest impact on their lives and take stress off the family so they can have Christmas together.”

Wood’s recruitment effort began at home, first recruiting her husband Tom, cousin Cindy Wood, and from there Renee Copeland, Mary Looney, Kim Meade, Carol Flemming, Karen Brogan, Kate Krull, Katie Whitney, Amy Hughes, Rose Sexton, Joni Krapec, Aimee Nowak, Jamie Guardi, Jen Gorski and Brigid Berry.

“Fine people attract other fine people so you can imagine we are proud of our efforts and confident in our turnout,” said Wood.

Christmas Without Cancer, an organization started by Gerri Neylon, comes to the rescue of those impacted by cancer so the family can focus on Christmas. The Evergreen Park volunteer group identifies needs such as utility bills and mortgage payments, gas, parking and children in need of wrapped presents.

Neylon reasons Christmas Without Cancer has been a success because “people know their donations are helping people locally, right now” so the family can focus on the spirit in Christmas.

Jacob’s Well is located at 3450 West Maple Street in Evergreen Park, IL. A DJ will play from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and musician Liam Durkin will play until 7 p.m.

There will also be live music by Liam Durkin. Admission is $33 through Eventbright or $35 at the door.

For more information visit: www.ChristmasWithoutCancer.org