By Sharon Hart-Braun In 2011, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Three months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, my life has changed considerably, but not necessarily in bad ways. The ovarian cancer was early stage, so luckily, I just required surgery. It was a major surgery, but…...
Making the Rounds
Welcome to Making the Rounds, Advocate Charitable Foundation’s blog focused on how philanthropy makes a difference across Advocate for our patients and their grateful families, our physicians and caregivers, hospitals and communities - and the donors themselves. Here you will also find news and stories of gifts at work made possible by the generous support of our donors and partners.
If you are a patient, donor or partner who would like to share your story to be possibly featured on our blog, please email us at advocategiving@advocatehealth.com.
The ice cream man
Rob Wagner has been donating ice cream and cakes to families for 8 years! His Dairy Queen in Niles provides sweet treats for patients every month at Advocate Children’s Hospital, including specialized cakes for end-of-chemo celebrations and NICU graduations. Last week, Advocate Children’s Hospital decided to surprise HIM! Rob thought this was…...
Nurse saves man’s life at the gym
By Marrison Worthington Hank Gnaidek underwent heart bypass surgery last fall due to coronary artery disease. It looked like his heart was in the clear after the surgery, but things would suddenly change when he was working out on June 14. The 66-year-old grandfather was ending his morning exercise routine…...
Tiny babies celebrate July 4 in red, white and blue
Advocate Children’s Hospital’s tiniest patients took part in an early Independence Day celebration in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they wore red, white and blue outfits. The NICU is where the smallest and most fragile babies are cared for after birth. Since these small but mighty babies are…...
“Negativity can’t exist, and do everything with love”
By Kelsey Andeway Sonya Duckworth and her eldest daughter, Brittany, have a relationship that is so treasured, not even a life-changing diagnosis could break their bond. In early Spring of 2018, Brittany’s mom, Sonya found out she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently undergoing treatment at Advocate South Suburban…...
#LettersToSurvivors: Honoring their fight and celebrating life
June is National Cancer Survivor Month and is dedicated to honoring survivors for their fight, inspiring others and celebrating life. We asked friends and family members to share letters, words of encouragement and special messages to the survivors in their lives. Watch their incredibly touching video submissions....
One breast cancer patient’s difficult promise to her kids
By Jennifer Benson Last August, Sharry Herritt Spencley noticed a swelling on her right breast when she was taking a shower. As a financial counselor at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Ill., she did not waste time calling her primary physician the next day and scheduling an appointment. No lump was found,…...
