Advocate Cancer Survivorship Center receives $40,000 donation check from Chicago Bears

Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Bears continued in their joint efforts to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday morning, Oct. 24, by hosting a chair yoga class with breast cancer survivors and Bears fullback Khari Blasingame at the Cancer Survivorship Center at Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge.

A check donation in the amount of $40,000 was presented by the Bears to the Survivorship Center following the class. Patients and participants also received Bears "Real Bears Fans Wear Pink" shirts and additional swag and gifts from the team.

Blasingame, who is in his fifth NFL season and second with the Bears, enjoyed the class and understands the kind of impact he and other Bears players can have by participating in events like this one.

"The community, they support us so much on Sundays," Blasingame said. "They do so much all the time, so it's important to give back. When there's so much negative going on in the world, it's nice to highlight positive things like this," Blasingame said.

The Cancer Survivorship Center is the first stand-alone, hospital-affiliated survivorship center in Illinois. It provides comprehensive, holistic support for patients, family members and caregivers throughout their care. Their philosophy includes offering evidence-based, patient-centered care by providing assistance to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The center also supports the relationship between the patient and provider, offering care for long-term recovery of physical and mental well-being and providing tools needed to live life beyond cancer.

"When I was first diagnosed, they didn't have anything like this," said patient Brigitte Powiedzki, who has twice beaten lymphoma. She says coming to the Cancer Survivorship Center for events like this creates a unique and lasting bond that otherwise wouldn't be possible.

"It is just an amazing community of cancer survivors who really enjoy each other's company," Powiedzki said. "It's truly a blessing. And I thank the Bears for that huge donation."

The Cancer Survivorship Center also offers virtual classes and programs designed to focus on the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of patients, family members and caregivers.

For information on the Cancer Survivorship Center, visit: www.advocatehealth.com/health-services/cancer-institute/support-wellness/cancer-survivorship-center.