MOKENA, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Easter Bunny came a week early for a few families in southwest suburban Mokena and New Lenox, bringing special gift baskets for children and adults currently battling cancer.
And the visit, sponsored by Christmas Without Cancer, brought smiles to several children.
One young lady was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after being born. She will finish her treatment next month and her mother is hopeful she will finally be able to experience offerings of life outside the home or hospital.
“Hopefully, we can put this behind us. Hopefully we can do things. We’ve been in quarantine for over two years now,” the mother said.
The Easter gift baskets each contain unique items based on children’s preferences and the parents received a $500 gift card to the Great Wolf Lodge.
Christmas may be part of the organization’s name but don’t let that fool you into believing it only works during certain seasons, Renee Copeland, vice president of Christmas Without Cancer, told WBBM.
“We help families all year round. Every day, honestly, we’re receiving applications” from families experiencing financial hardship along with other complications a cancer diagnosis can bring with it, Copeland explained.
The assistance includes helping families battling cancer pay for items such as groceries and even goes as far as to assist with mortgage payments and school tuition.
“Honestly, the request we receive are endless,” Copeland said.
The Oak Lawn-based organization relies solely on donations, many from previous recipients, to achieve its goals.
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