Tinley Couple, Businesses Raise Funds To Honor Daughter's Cancer Fight

TINLEY PARK, IL — It's been nine years since the Janes family lost their beloved daughter Julia at just 20 years old, following her valiant cancer fight. The 20-year-old Oak Forest resident and member of Oak Forest High School class of 2011 was known for her effervescent personality and giving spirit, her death felt deeply by all who knew her.

Julia fought and beat her initial diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma, only to be diagnosed later and lose her battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Her parents Jeff and Leslie have carried on her legacy in the years since her death, choosing the Childhood Cancer Awareness month of September to partner with Tinley Park businesses to raise funds for childhood cancer research and support of warriors.

As part of their efforts, several local businesses will offer customers options to help raise funds for the Julia's Legacy of Hope, an ongoing St. Baldrick's fundraising campaign that has raised $525,474 for childhood cancer research since 2018. Last year, they raised more than $70,000 and to date in 2022 have raised $68,000.

During each week of September, one or more businesses will help to bring awareness of childhood cancer. One way they will do this is with a special business themed basket which they will display in their place of business. The raffle baskets that have been made will include a QR code that takes the bidding customer directly to Julia’s Legacy’s Facebook page. Customers can then bid on a great raffle basket for that particular week, as well as take part in any special promotions they are offering to help raise money for childhood cancer research with Julia’s Legacy of Hope.

Participating businesses with current activities with dates available include:

• Sept. 11–18: Pekoe and Bean, 17028 Oak Park Ave.
  
• Sept. 13–25: SIP Wine Bar, 17424 S. Oak Park Ave.
  
• Sept. 19–25: Avocado Theory, 17302 S. Oak Park Ave.
• Sept. 27–Oct. 2: Ed n Joe's, 17332 S. Oak Park Ave.
• All month: Crossmark Printing, 18400 76th Ave., A.

Other participating businesses have included:

• The Scoop
• Open Bottle
• Popus Gourmet Popcorn
• The Barketplace and We're Nuts About Mutts

For more information about Julia's Legacy of Hope, visit the St. Baldrick's site dedicated to the campaign.