Saturday's Cancer Benefit to Honor Popular Reporter

Almost everyone has a cancer story -- and if not a personal one, they know someone who has the disease. 

So before New Lenox-native Kim Smith survived cancer first in the lungs, then in liver, then in brain,  she decided she wasn't going to take it lying down. Now that she has cancer in the liver again, she is going to continue to fight it – all the way to the bank.

Smith, her daughter, Amy Komosa and some friends decided to raise money for research. The benefit for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be at Laraway Lanes Saturday, June 11 starting at 6 p.m.

Bowler registration begins at 6 p.m., and the event starts at 7 p.m.

"I am doing it because I do believe that it is highly  unlikely that I will find a cure in my lifetime," Smith said. "I just want to do my best so my kids and grandkids don't have to face this, so that's why I raise money."

Smith is best known for her bylines. She has covered many beats for the Herald News for 15 years. 

"Everybody loves Kim and we are all hoping and praying for  her to get better," said former co-worker Joe Hosey, who is the current editor of Shorewood Patch. "She's like a mother to a lot of us who worked with her at the paper and the place wasn't the same when she was out."

Knowing that Smith is very popular, when Laraway Lanes offered to close the bowling alley if they could sell out the lanes, Smith's daughter made it her mission to do just that.

"There are 144 spots to bowl and we filled them all," Komosa said.

Anyone interested in going shouldn't be discouraged just because they can't bowl; there will be plenty of other ways to enjoy the evening, Komosa explained.

People who don't have tickets to bowl can still attend. The cost is $10 at the door. Everyone can participate in the split-the-pot raffle and Chinese auction, which is a single raffle with multiple prizes and multiple prizes. 

"We have many different baskets made up. Each one ranges in value from $50 to $70 with gift cards and many things," she said.

The baskets will include gift certificates to many restaurants and stores. There are also some golf foursomes to the Sanctuary course. The Chinese auction tickets will be $1 each. There will be separate $5 raffles for some of the bigger item, such as a wheelbarrow full of alcoholic beverages. Also, a foursome at Big Run golf course including carts valued at up to $240 will be raffled. 

Money for Research

Smith said she doesn't know now much money this benefit could raise. So far, she has been very pleased with the results, especially because the bowling alley has been sold out.

"I think it is wonderful," Smith said. "It speaks highly of people and their good will."

Both Smith and Komosa thank their many friends who have been helpful, during Smith's stages of cancer and with the benefit. Smith especially thanked her husband of 23 years, Jerry Smith. 

"He is my rock," Smith said.

This week, Smith is starting another round of chemotherapy. Over the past year, she has undergone five or six rounds as well as radiation. She is on stage 2, but she does not know how long the cancer will last.

Despite all of this, Smith does not want a single penny from this benefit. She wants it all to go to research.

"Every time I go to chemo, I hear more stories, I hear more people going through different kinds and different stages," Smith said. "It's a killer that needs to be stopped."