Event Description
NORTHBROOK, IL (MARCH 2021) – The Cancer Wellness Center (CWC), the leading provider of FREE counseling, education, support and wellness programs to anyone impacted by cancer from Chicago’s northern suburbs to rural Illinois, announces its annual Stepping Up to Wellness Virtual Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, April 25th. As the premier community building fundraiser of the year, the organization had to make a quick decision when last year’s COVID shut down occurred just weeks before the Annual event that usually draws in person crowds of over 1,000.
“Last year, preparations were underway to host the Stepping Up to Wellness Run/Walk at Independence Grove in Libertyville in April when suddenly we found ourselves in the middle of a pandemic - and everything changed,” says Nancy Bulzoni, Executive Director of the CWC. “In less than one month, we transitioned the event to a virtual format. We were incredibly humbled by the support we received from sponsors, participants, volunteers, board members and donors. We had just under 500 people participate in the event and we raised close to $150,000. This year we are hoping to increase the number of attendees to help raise $160,000, which will support meaningful programs and services for cancer patients and their loved ones.”
As a core fundraiser, Stepping Up to Wellness raises money to support the facility and the important supportive care and education provided free of charge to improve the emotional and physical well-being of anyone affected by cancer. CWC encourages everyone to sign up, whether a center participant, family member or friend touched by cancer, or anyone in the general public who wants to show their support.
“Cancer is everywhere. Even if you don’t have it, there’s someone you know that has gone through it. The public needs to become aware of the CWC and understand what an important resource it is to cancer patients,” says Kim Shimkus, CWC participant and Stepping Up to Wellness team captain. “People need to appreciate how helpful the CWC can be to patients, families and friends and support this fabulous life-changing organization.”
“Joining Stepping Up to Wellness is more important now than ever as the CWC has taken on so many new participants with cancer patients being turned away from hospitals, needing CWC services more than ever,” says Lauren Huml, CWC participant and captain of team New Beginnings. “Anyone can register as an individual or build a fundraising team. It’s an amazing way to give back and raise money so these programs can continue.”
“The CWC was the safe haven for me. It gave me a place to go and to feel connected to other people who have gone through what I was going through. It gave me peace of mind,” says Ally Marks Greenfield, CWC Board member, past Chairman of Stepping Up to Wellness and past participant.
“If you ever need it or know someone who does, you need to support the CWC. There is no other place like.”
The Stepping Up to Wellness Virtual Run/Walk can be completed anywhere. Registrants can run, walk, hike, even crawl, wherever they want, and are encouraged to take photos and videos to share on social media using #21cwcstup. “Some of last years participants sent in photos running indoors on a treadmill, around their neighborhood, alone and with groups of friends,” explains Bulzoni. “It’s anyone’s race, to complete anytime, anywhere, on their terms! While the world has been adapting to new ways, we look forward to being back on track at Independence Grove next year.”
Participants can register or donate online HERE for $45 and includes t-shirt and bib. Contactless drive thru race packet pickup will be available on Friday, April 9th from 10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-6:00pm and Saturday, April 10th from 10:00am-12:00pm and again on Friday, April 23rd from 2:00pm-4:00pm. If not available during these times, packets can be mailed.
The Stepping Up to Wellness Run/Walk is made possible by the generous support and donations of its sponsors: Republic Bank (lead sponsor), Modestus Bauer, Abbvie, Wintrust Financial Corporation, AstraZeneca, Fairview Swim Club, NorthShore University HealthSystem Kellogg Cancer Center, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, B’s Gourmet Nuts, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Mesirow Financial.
For more information on the CWC visit https://www.cancerwellness.org or call at 847-509-9595. The CWC is located at 215 Revere Drive in Northbrook and 18630 W Old Gages Lake Road in Grayslake.
