Whiting breast cancer survivor ‘rings the bell,’ marking end of treatment at Chicago Bears game

After years of putting the needs of everyone else first, 67-year-old Whiting resident Kandee Koehler celebrated the end of her breast cancer treatment journey with more than 60,000 football fans by "ringing the bell" during halftime of the Oct. 4 Chicago Bears home game at Soldier Field.

Koehler's milestone celebration was part of the Chicago Bears' annual Real Bears Fans Wear Pink game, presented by Advocate Health Care. She and nine other breast cancer survivors joined Advocate Health Care cancer specialists, family members and other supporters on the playing field to unfurl a giant pink ribbon and kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a powerful reminder about the lifesaving benefits of breast screenings and early detection.

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"I am so excited and deeply honored to be chosen for this moment," Koehler said. "To ring the bell at a Chicago Bears game, surrounded by my family, other survivors and thousands of fans, is something I never imagined. I hope it reminds other women to make time for themselves and get the screenings that could save their lives."

A former stay-at-home mother of four, Koehler rebuilt her life after a difficult divorce 20 years ago, working as many as five jobs to support her children. She later endured the loss of one of her younger twin sons in a house fire that destroyed the family's home. Koehler's journey with breast cancer started when she was lying on the couch with her cat asleep on her chest. When she moved to get up, the cat tried to cling to Koehler's sweater and nicked her chest. The pain prompted Koehler to look in the mirror, where she noticed a growth in her breast about the size of her palm.

"As women, we are busy as can be. We get in the shower, get dressed and keep going," she said. "I never paid attention to my body. I just didn't at all."

Koehler was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in November 2025. In June 2026 she had surgery to remove the mass, which her surgeon, Dr. Barbara Krueger, medical director of breast cancer services at Advocate Christ Medical Center, estimated had been growing for about three years. On Sept. 4, Koehler completed her last of eight rounds of chemotherapy, all while working full time in Mokena.

"As women, we spend so much of our lives taking care of everyone else, but we have to take breaks every now and then because making time for our own health can be lifesaving," Dr. Krueger said. "Many people are successfully treated for breast cancer, especially when it is found early. So this October, make it a point to speak to a healthcare provider or a local screening program about cancer screenings and your risks, particularly if breast cancer runs in your family."

Koehler said she looks forward to spending as much time as possible with her growing family, including a grandson and soon to be granddaughter.

"Cancer is not the end. I know 67 can feel like the end of life, but I feel like it's the beginning. I plan on living another 20 to 30 years in a healthy way," Koehler said. "I kind of thank God for allowing this to happen. Cancer has reminded me that my life and my children are the most important gifts in my life."