Legacies Live on Through Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High Schools Relay for Life

The first Relay for Life that team Chemosaurus Rex participated in, in 2009. Heather Kornick is pictured behind the 'Jade Team' sign. 

Photo credits: Helen and Phil Kornick.

In 2008 when she was just 21 years old, Heather Kornick received a devastating cancer diagnosis; stage 4 Adrenal Cancer. This form of cancer affects one person in a million, and is what is called an ‘orphan’ disease because of how rare it is. A mere 7-percent of people who receive this diagnosis are able to live as long as five years. Most are given just six to eight months to live.

For many, such a diagnosis can be emotionally debilitating, but not for Heather. Instead, she chose to do all she could to support and advocate for additional cancer research initiatives, and created a community of people around her through her positive ‘can do’ attitude.

“Heather had many people who were attracted to her because of the energy she put into fundraising and supporting others who were suffering from cancer, or those who had close family members who were diagnosed,” said Helen Kornick, Heather’s mother and caregiver.

During her brief young life, Heather successfully advocated to have cancer care added to the Affordable Care Act through participation in a video on behalf of Cancer Action Network. The video was sent to lawmakers in Washington D.C., and the organization lobbies U.S. lawmakers to represent the needs of those who are fighting cancer.

It was because of Heather, according to Helen, that Adrenal Cancer was added to the official list of cancer types, despite it being so rare.

“Our daughter was invested in supporting others, fundraising and making sure that those who needed them were aware of all the services offered through the American Cancer Society, such as rides to doctor appointments, wigs and make-up services when going through chemotherapy,” Helen said.

While in the hospice, and just 24 hours before Heather passed away on April 3, 2013, she continued to maintain her composure and positive attitude, encouraging a relay team member through back and forth text messages, to push harder to raise additional funds for their relay team, Chemosaurus Rex The Walking Hope.

Helen and her husband (and Heather’s father) Phil, would both like to inspire area residents to get involved in the Relay for Life, either through donating to teams who are already participating such as theirs, by attending the event or forming a team of their own.

“If you or someone you know has been touched by cancer, you know that having people around you that understand what you are going through is so important,” Phil said.

Phil is also a cancer survivor, who says he is alive today due to early detection. A four centimeter mass was found on his kidney a few years ago when he was in the hospital for intestinal problems. He was fortunate that the mass was encapsulated and hadn’t metastasized yet.

“We as parents were so inspired by Heather’s passion to be supportive to others, that the Chemosaurus Rex The Walking Hope Relay for Life team continues,” Phil said. “Through this, her memory lives on.”

The Relay for Life for Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High Schools will be held on Friday, June 10 through the morning of Saturday, June 11, and has a number of events within it including the Survivor’s Dinner, the Luminaria Ceremony, and the Survivor’s and Caregivers lap. Learn more here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY16LS?pg=entry&fr_id=71420

All of the events provide support and create an atmosphere were people who are faced with cancer either personally or through loved ones, can find strength, and hope.

If you are interested in supporting Chemosaurus Rex The Walking Hope, visit their link online at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY16LS?team_id=1911129&pg=team&fr_id=71420&_ga=1.100163870.1681806620.1462899635.

For more information on the Buffalo Grove Stevenson High Schools Relay for Life, visit http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY16LS?pg=entry&fr_id=71420.