Relay Team Continues Father’s Fight

Todd McKirchey and Kimberley Masnica are no strangers to fundraising.

The brother-sister duo have hosted several events to support autism research.

But this year, they’ll be raising money for a different cause as they participate in their first Relay For Life.

The siblings will take part in the second Romeoville relay, which kicks off at the village Municipal Center on .

The event has special meaning for the family, McKirchey said.

“We lost our father this last October to three different kinds of cancer,” he said. Dad Thomas McKirchey lost his cancer battle on Sweetest Day — a date that wasn’t lost on Masnica.

“He went to be with his sweetheart,” she said, referring to her mother, who passed away 14 years ago.

Now, the family is continuing their father’s battle against cancer.

“We’re here to fight the fight he can’t,” McKirchey said, adding while it’s his first time participating in the Relay For Life, it won’t be his first time attending.

“I went with a friend to one,” he said. “It’s a different atmosphere” compared to other fundraisers he’s attended, McKirchey added.

“It’s a lot more intense. It makes me want to fight more,” he said. .

The siblings have named their team Topcat, a nod to their father’s nickname for himself — and to one of his favorite cartoons.

“Every time he did a [sports] pool, his name was Topcat,” McKirchey said. “I really would have loved for him to be here for this.”

The team has several fundraisers in the works, including events at McDonald’s and Johnny Rockets and a May 19 benefit lunch at the VFW post in Brookfield. Stay for more details on the upcoming events on Patch, or click on the team’s Relay For Life page for more information or to make a donation.

There’s still plenty of time for teams to register for the event, too. To sign up or create a team, visit www.relayforlife.org/romeovilleil. To donate or become a sponsor, contact Assistant Village Manager Dawn Caldwell at 815-886-0279.

Siblings join up for the signature American Cancer Society fundraiser.