A Whole New Meaning To Carry On

Throughout my years in Buffalo Grove and Long Grove, I’ve been invited to and attended several events hosted by KIDSS for Kids (Kindness Is Doing Something Special for Kids). This organization is a non-profit auxiliary of Children’s Memorial Hospital which has raised over $5 million to support Family Services and in effect the patients and families treated at the hospital.

Board of Directors President Robert Feldgreber is a Buffalo Grove resident, and over half of the board is also from this area. One member, Long Grove resident Paula Weissman, invited me to an event that is not only sponsored by KIDSS for Kids, but is also a testament to how this group can change, alter and inspire a sick young girl into a remarkable young woman. Paula says, “To have survived cancer not once, but twice makes Yali's story remarkable in and of itself. But to then understand how she chose to take her passion for handbag design and create a way to benefit the very programs at Children's that nurtured her creativity while facilitating her emotional healing is beyond inspirational.” 

The event is being held at Saks Fifth Avenue in Highland Park, where Yali Derman, a 20-year-old nursing student, will be selling her inspirational, limited edition and custom designed “Yali’s Carry On” totes. She calls them "carry on" not just because of size but also to signify that cancer survivors can "carry on" after cancer in spite of their medical "baggage." She designed an incredibly vibrant peacock for the bag because peacocks replace their feathers annually which represents renewal. Also adorned in the peacock feathers are some paisley shapes, which represent the bandanas that cancer patients often wear after hair loss. She has many other hidden messages and symbols throughout the intricate peacock design.

Darlene Bikshorn, another KIDSS board member and Long Grove resident says, “To meet Yali is to understand inspiration. After having survived such trauma in her young life, she herself is inspired to help others in the most positive way. She has funneled her creative juices and utilized the talent that she developed in the playroom at Children's Memorial (supported by KIDSS for kids) to give back to the hospital and motivate others to ‘carry on.’”

Paula sums it up nicely. “Simply a dream one year ago, it will become a reality on March 6 because charity, commerce, and community have selflessly joined forces with the common goal of doing good on a very grand scale.” 

Feel free to stop by Saks between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 6. Yali will be making a presentation at 11 a.m. The bags are $85, with $55 of each bag going to KIDDS for Kids and 5 percent of each sale to Saks. I’m certain Yali will inspire you and me both.

As always, email me with any news, topics or ideas that you want to read about. Remember, I’d like to be the first to know! I can be reached at laurenbgpatch@aol.com.