'Go Gray In May' Events Raise Funds for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research in Beverly Teen's Memory

Caption: John McNicholas, 15, months before he lost his life to an aggressive brain tumor in 2010.

The John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation/Live Like John will be the beneficiary of a number of Go Gray in May events throughout the month. May is brain tumor awareness month. There are numerous events and activities throughout the city and suburbs, making it easy for the community to become involved in Go Gray In May.

John McNicholas was 15 years old when he died of a malignant brain tumor in 2010. His death came just 10 months after he woke up with a terrible headache early one morning.

Like Live Like John on Facebook.

John, the 6-foot-2, baseball-loving Saint Rita student, was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that would over the next several months take away his ability to walk and talk and ultimately take his life.

When her son was first diagnosed, Amy McNicholas was shocked at the lack of information about his disease. It became her full time job to research various treatment options and what she found was disheartening.

After her son passed away, Amy made it her life’s work to raise money in John’s memory to fund research for pediatric brain cancer.

Amy says that her son loved Beverly and would often talk about plans to raise his own family in the neighborhood, in the house he grew up in.

“He was a big kid, he was funny and charming and kind of an old soul,” Amy McNicholas told Patch in 2013. “He was just more than his disease.”

And that is where the foundation’s motto “Live Like John” was born.

The following Go Gray In May events are hosted by or benefiting The John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, including:

May 8-10: Don’t forget to register for the Beverly Area Planning Association’s 38th Annual Ridge BAPA is supporting the Live Like John Foundation’s Go Gray In May efforts by offering a special discount to supporters who register between May 8-10 and use the special promotion code John 15. Register for the 5K, 10K and youth mile, by visiting Beverly Area Planning Association Ridge Run. Be sure to wear your Live Like John t-shirt on race day!

May 13: St. Rita High School will honor former teammate John McNicholas by wearing gray uniforms – all with John’s No.10 and the letters LLJ for Live Like John, at the St. Rita vs. Brother Rice baseball game. Located at St. Rita High School, 7740 South Western Avenue, Chicago. The game starts at 11 a.m.

May 12: Fox’s Beverly, 9956 South Western Ave., Chicago, will host an “Eat and Earn” on May 12, with a portion of each sale being donated to the Live Like John Foundation. Simply present the flyer when dining in or carrying out. Flyers are available on the Live Like John Facebook page.

May 16: Calling all Northsiders! Live Like Leah, a partner of the John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, will host its first-ever 5K race, located at Skokie School in Winnetka. Race begins at 8 am. Sign up at Live Like Leah.

May 19: Fat Tommy’s in Mt. Greenwood will donate 20 percent of each sale on May 19 to Live Like John. Flyer will be available on the Live Like John Facebook page and must be presented at time of sale. Fat Tommy’s is located at 3031 West 111th Street, Chicago.

May 20: It’s Ricobene’s Night from 5 pm – 8 pm! Dine in or carry out from Ricobene’s, located at 252 West 26th Street in Chicago, and a percentage of all receipts will be donated to Live Like John. Delivery is also available.

May 26: Eat and Earn today! Stop by Janson’s Drive In and a portion of sales will be donated to Live Like John. Flyers are available on the Live Like John Facebook page.

May 30: Fit Code in Beverly will offer a special Go Gray in May workout session. The class will start at 9 am and is $20. All proceeds will be donated to Live Like John. Fit Code is located at 10418 South Western Avenue.

May 30: Pccolo Monido will celebrate its 30th anniversary year with an evening of live music from 7 to 11 p.m., featuring Willie Pickens, a performance by Tango 21 Dancers, and the band, Cloud of Shame. All profits from bar sales will be donated to Live Like John. Piccolo Mondo is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood at 1642 East 56th Street.

Save the date: The Live Like John Softball Tournament will take place on Sunday, June 13 at St. Rita High School.

Follow the Live Like John Facebook page for continued updates on Go Gray In May events.