Schools
Oak Forest HS Students Stuff Pillows for Julia's Legacy of Hope
The pillows are given to children who are battling cancer
Julia’s Legacy of Hope is special for Oak Forest High School, and especially the OFHS Yearbook and its Adviser Kate Vana. It was founded by the family of Julia Janes, an OF alumna and OF Safari Yearbook Editor, who was struck with cancer when she was only 16. She beat that cancer and went on to graduate with honors and continue her education at Bradley University, where she was very active in raising both money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. While she was at Bradley University, sadly, she was diagnosed with a secondary cancer, which took her life at the age of 20. The pillows that the students stuffed have the motto “Hope” and “Strength” on one side of the pillow and inspirational quotes on the other side of the pillow. These quotes were chosen by Julia herself as she was battling cancer. When students finish stuffing the pillows, they are delivered to 5 area hospitals and are given to children who are battling cancer. Julia’s Legacy of Hope raises money for pediatric cancer research trials and for Hope & Strength pillows for newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. The OFHS Yearbook staffers who participated were: Oak Forest High School teacher Kate Vana, Mekayla Mrofka, Maddie Tancredi, Cecilia Vargas, Shruti Nayi, Mariana Qudsi, Miracle Slaughter and Abigail Mata. You can go to the Julia’s Legacy of Hope website to donate to this worthy cause at:https://www.cureitfoundation.org/julias-legacy-of-hope/ .
