Mural Honors 15 Years of Beverly Breast Cancer Walk

Caption: 1) Brian Lepacek, Executive Director of Little Company of Mary’s Foundation, Cesar Santaló, Miami painter and designer and Cesar Santaló Jr. 2) Artist Cesar Santalo at work on the mural 2) - Finished mural, “We Are Family.”

Miami resident and internationally-known, mixed-media artist, César Santaló, installed a 250-inch-long, 80-inch-high, five panel fiberglass collage mural entitled “We Are Family.” The breathtaking collage mural commemorates the 15th year anniversary of the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk.

The Beverly Breast Cancer Walk is the largest three-mile walk on Chicago’s Southwest side. The Walk is held every year on Mother’s Day and attracts more than 14,000 adults and children in the historic Beverly Hills and Morgan Park neighborhood.

Over the past 15 years, the Walk has raised more than $4 million with all proceeds going to Little Company of Mary’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center which is located in the Women’s Center for Life and Health. A first-of-its kind for the area, the Women’s Center also is home to Little Company of Mary’s Accredited Comprehensive Breast Health Center, which offers a full range of diagnostic care specialists, surgeons, nurses, and radiation oncologists. The Center also offers an array of integrative therapy services, such as acupuncture, massage therapy and post-treatment esthetic care.

The mural collage is comprised of more than 8,000 photographs of the 15 years of the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk and includes small cutouts of Chicago political figures as well as inspirational prayers, religious iconography and Little Company of Mary’s founder, Venerable Mary Potter. The collage mural was created in an impressionistic style which pays homage to the grand collection of impressionistic paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago such as Georges Seurat’s, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.”

The “We Are Family” mural image is a representation of the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk with walkers of all ages surrounded by the beautiful architecture and scenic landscapes of the historic Beverly Hills and Morgan Park neighborhood. “My painting serves as a time- capsule of events detailing the growth of the community involvement and participation throughout the 15 year history,” said César Santaló.

“What began with three pioneering women (Carol Moriarty, Nancy Mulcahy and Lisa O’Brien) who believed in fighting breast cancer with one step at a time on one of the most memorable days of the year -Mother’s Day, has blossomed into more than 14,000 neighbors and supporters who all have joined in the fight against breast cancer,” said Brian Lepacek, MDiv, Executive Director of the Little Company of Mary’s Foundation. “We are all amazed at and grateful for César’s breathtaking piece of art. The collage serves as a reminder that if we all come together as a community and family with faith in our hearts, we can help battle the fight against breast cancer - we are all in this together,” said Brian Lepacek.

Visit Little Company of Mary’s Nationally Accredited Comprehensive Breast Health Center for more information or visit or call 708-229-4050. To schedule your mammogram, call 708- 499-8550.

The Beverly Breast Cancer Walk is still taking donations, please visit beverlybreastcancerwalk.org to donate or to learn more about the upcoming 2015 walk.