Radiate This: Team Takes the Lead in Relay Fundraising

The kickoff for Romeoville’s was just last week, but teams are already hard at work raising money to fight cancer.

The event, slated for July 23 and 24, is the first time the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser will be held in the village. Previously, Romeoville was part of an annual relay held in Bolingbrook.

But the fact that this relay event is new doesn’t mean the participants are novices when it comes to fighting back against cancer.

Team “radiate THIS!,” one of 18 groups that have signed up so far for the event, has already hit the Platinum fundraising level. The recognition is given to teams that raise at least $7,500. Already, the team has gone above and beyond that by soliciting more than $8,100 in donations for the American Cancer Society.

Captain Jennifer DeVries credited team members Donna Preisler, Sue Dittmer and Kathy Peterson with taking the lead when it came to both recruiting and fundraising.

“Last year was our first year,” Preisler said. The Romeoville native said she was motivated to get involved with relay after cancer touched her family.

“My son is a survivor,” she said. Son John won his battle against Hodgkins lymphoma nearly four years ago. The relay’s catchphrase, “Save Lives, Create More Birthdays,” has special meaning for Preisler.

On Friday, John will turn 33, reaching his fourth birthday as a cancer survivor, she said. Peterson, Preisler’s sister-in-law and teammate, is also a three-time cancer survivor, Preisler said.

Sisters Peterson and Dittmer teamed up to host a Texas Hold ’Em tournament last weekend, raising several thousand dollars. Preisler hopes to have similar success with a scrapbooking event this Saturday.

“It’s a 12-hour scrapathon,” she said, laughing. Set for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 2 at Reed Custer Middle School in Braidwood, the event is a chance for both experienced scrapbookers and first-timers to enjoy food, prizes and some me time.

“It’s 12 hours away from phone, family and bother,” Preisler said. Admission is $40 per person, which includes two meals and beverages. The event will also include raffles.

Preisler said anyone is welcome to bring their photos and scrapbooking materials and attend. To ensure that there will be enough food, guests must RSVP by e-mailing Preisler at donna528@comcast.net.

Those who aren’t scrapbooking fans can still contribute by making a donation on the “radiate THIS!” team page on the Relay For Life of Romeoville website.

Though it’s aimed at stamping out a deadly serious disease, the focus at the Relay For Life is on fun, education and awareness.

“It was awesome,” Preisler said of her experience at last year’s Bolingbrook/Romeoville relay. “I always go with minimum expectations, and it was an awesome thing to see so many people come together for such an awesome cause.”

This year promises to bring more of the same.

“I have a relay scrapbook that I started last year, and I’ll keep adding to it,” Preisler said.