Some shenanigans from the 2014 Event!
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MICHAELA AMBROSE
Bravery. Bright red hair. Athletic diversity: a black-belt ballerina with a passion for ultimate Frisbee. Unshakable faith. A quick and courageous smile in the face of difficult trials. These are a few qualities of a spirited 17-year old young lady, Michaela Ambrose.
Hello everyone!!! Thank you all immensely for your endless prayers. It is such a blessing to have a army of warriors calling for heavenly assistance. On November 6th I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma which is a bone cancer inside the head of my tibia. The diagnosis was confirmed on November 12th by a bone biopsy. Since then I have been administered chemotherapy with more to come. Surgery will follow to remove the tumor and after that I will have more chemotherapy. Thank you again. You are a huge blessing. Throughout life God grants us little bits of his sufferings on the cross which must be embraced for the redemption of our souls and those of others. May God bless you, Michaela Ambrose ![]() KAREN ZITT
Karen passed away on Monday, August 25, 2014 after a courageous year-long battle with breast cancer. Her loving husband of 34 years, David, was at her side, along with close family. BTB was honored to be able to support her earlier that year and provide some respite during her fight. We honor Karen's memory annually at our event! Here's what we shared about Karen at our event in May of 2014 There’s a silly old country song from Hee Haw that features the lyrics “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Some would look at the situation Karen Zitt has gone through and assign the lyrics to her life – but not Karen. Her faith, her friends, and her family have helped her maintain a fighting attitude as she battles Stage 4 breast cancer, diagnosed in June of 2013. After ‘minor’ brushes with cancer including melanoma, Karen’s now dealing with breast cancer that has metastasized to numerous lymph nodes and her upper liver; while initial treatment focused on chemotherapy, an enlarged and extremely painful left breast led to the decision of a mastectomy in November 2013. Recent good news is that the chemotherapy had reduced the tumor in her liver by 80%; once wounds had healed after the mastectomy, radiation was prescribed along with the on-going chemotherapy. This two-fisted approach has left Karen quite weak, unable to attend work and losing benefits. Her husband David is a self-employed carpenter who deals with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, making insurance for the two of them extremely difficult to find and afford. But instead of submitting to the country song lyrics, Karen and Dave battle on, armed with their love of each other. High school sweethearts at Benet Academy, their faith is strong, as are their friends and family. Old school chums have set up a foundation to help them shoulder the financial burden of fighting this disease at www.hopeforkaren.org. Family has physically and emotionally been at Karen’s side throughout. And for friends, family and faith, they are truly grateful. ![]() BRANDON HINOJOSA
Brandon Hinojosa was diagnosed with Leukemia on August 2nd, 2013. A very brave and sweet 2 year old boy is fighting this disease with his loving family. His mother, Brandy, is unable to work due to being at the hospital showing her son love, comfort and support. The support and love of a family can work miracles, but they need your help to get them through this tough time. The medical bills and everyday expenses are too much for any one person to bear, please help my family in their time of need. Help support 2 year old Brandon Hinojosa and his fight against Leukemia. GO TEAM BRANDON! ![]() LEAH GUTHRIE After courageously battling cancer for many months, Leah Marie Guthrie, age 15, of Algonquin, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2014 at Journeycare Hospice in Barrington surrounded by her family. Leah was born on September 9, 1998 in Geneva, IL to Mark and Marie (nee Buscaglia) Guthrie. Leah lived in Algonquin her whole life attending Kenneth E. Neubert Elementary School, Westfield Community School and H.G. Jacobs High School. A beautiful young lady, Leah had a kind, gentle heart and strong spirit. As a freshman, her favorite past time was spending time with her friends. They would fondly describe her as loving and fun. She enjoyed dancing, was a cheerleader during middle school, and played violin. Leah had a Christian faith which kept her strong during 14 months of illness. Her favorite scriptures were the Psalms. Leah loved vacationing. She enjoyed vacations to Nashville and Washington D.C. Last fall, thanks to Make-a-Wish, Leah and her family had the exciting opportunity to visit Paris, France - a dream of hers. Leah is survived by her parents; a brother, Grant; her maternal grandparents, Joe (Joan) Buscaglia Sr.; Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rainer Engelmann, Uncle Joe Buscaglia, Jr. and Aunt Debbie Bradley. She will be greatly missed by those who love her. Evan O'Brien
Evan O'Brien has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma / Leukemia. This happy little boy and his family really need your help! |
Ashley Leslie![]() Ashley Nicole Leslie, passed away Saturday, march 6, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.
The BTB Foundation was honored to be able to support this beautiful soul during our 2014 event. We will honor Ashley's memory during all future events. Here is what Ashley wrote about herself for our 2014 event. My name is Ashley Leslie. I am currently 21 years old and have beaten cancer twice. In February 2006, I was diagnosed with a rare childhood soft tissue/bone cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. I was 13 years old at the time and underwent chemotherapy and a bone replacement. My bone replacement was in June of 2006 and they removed six inches of bone in my upper left arm and replaced it with a donor bone. After having the bone replacement, I went through more chemotherapy. I was then in remission for two and a half years until December 2008. I was 16 years old and I got the news that my cancer had relapsed. This news was very devastating to my family and me. I went through the battle again. This time I had to go through more intense treatments. I first did more chemotherapy and then in April 2009, I went through a stem cell transplant. Following the transplant, I had to be on isolation for a hundred days. This meant that I had to wear a mask if I went outside and I could only eat packaged food that wasn’t opened for more than an hour. After the stem cell transplant, I went through six weeks of radiation and was on a maintenance chemo for a year. I have now been cancer free since June 5th, 2009. Four years! Now that cancer is behind me, I have developed pulmonary fibrosis which is scaring of the lungs. This is due to the chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and radiation. I am going to need a double lung transplant due to my lung function being at 20% and decreasing. We are trying to find the right hospital to go to that will accept me as their patient. Due to having cancer twice before, I am a “high risk” patient. I currently go to University of Chicago hospitals and they will not see me due to being high risk. They would like me to be five years a least cancer free and that will not be, according to them, until 2015. They say I was not cancer free until the last day of my last round of chemo, which was in 2010. This has put added expenses due to traveling to other hospitals. We have traveled five and a half hours to see Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. They are still reviewing my case to see if I am eligible for their hospital. I will also be going to Cleveland Clinics in Ohio which is six and a half hours away. Hopefully one of these hospitals will accept my case, since they do more high risk patients. I will then be evaluated and put on the transplant list. My insurance does not cover all of the expenses a double lung transplant will cost. The cost for the organ and donor part is $100,000.00. Which the insurance company is only covering $15,000.00, so out of our pocket is $85,000.00. The flight when the donor is available is $5,000.00, which the insurance company will not cover. The hospital said that I will have to come up with about $145,000.00 total out of pocket expenses, that is if there is no complications. So I am asking for any donations that you could provide. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks again! ![]() JEANNE
LANGE Jeanne Anne Lange passed away on October 3, 2014, after a long and brave battle against Multiple Myeloma. The BTB Foundation was honored to support her family during their time of need earlier that year. We honor Jeanne annually at our event. Here's what was written about Jeanne for our event in May that year. Three years ago, Jeanne came down with a severe ‘flu’ shortly after her 38th birthday. After being admitted to the hospital and many tests later, she was informed she had multiple myeloma, cancer of the plasma cells, otherwise considered a blood and bone cancer. At the time, Kyle was 8, Aidan 6 and Brady and Carter were 3 years old. It was a difficult time for the entire family. For four months she went through chemotherapy. She developed neuropathy from her hips to her toes and also suffered from shingles as a reaction to the chemotherapy. She was taking medications to help with the cancer and also taking more medications to deal with the side effects. After chemotherapy was complete, she underwent a stem cell transplant. After a lengthy stay at Rush, she returned home. It was an adjustment to come home as she had lost her hair and her new appearance made the boys uneasy. A few months post transplant Jeanne was confirmed cancer free. But this is an aggressive cancer. Sixteen months later it was confirmed the cancer returned. Jeanne started new chemotherapy and medications. She also began to take natural supplements. Due to the supplements, her quality of life was close to normal. Four months later she was once again considered cancer free. A mere three months later Jeanne started to experience jawbone pain. A CT scan revealed new lesions in the bone caused by returning myeloma cells. Myeloma cells eat away at the bones causing pain and fragile bones. In November Jeanne easily fractured her clavicle as it was a weak due to lesions in the bone. After much research, Jeanne and Scott decided to go with an alternative treatment plan. They found a team of dedicated scientists, natural doctors and medical doctors. She spent ten days receiving over 200 hours of their IV therapy. She continues the treatment today with medications and frequent blood tests. This is not covered by insurance. For what they have paid out would have covered four years of college at a reputable university for one of their boys. These doctors have had great success with their treatment with patients who are dedicated to the program. We estimate she will complete the program by October. For years friends and family have been asking how they can help. Together we can help Jeanne conquer multiple myeloma by helping her complete this program. ![]() Matthew Martinez
Matthew is a great kid who was diagnosed with cancer and is battling the disease courageously. Mathew and his entire family greatly appreciate you support and look forward with a positive attitude! Thanks to everyone who is thinking of Matthew and supporting him and his family during this challenging time. |
St. Patrick High School Cancer-Aid Endowment

For 150 years the Christian
Brothers at St. Patrick High School on the northwest side of Chicago have been
providing an educational experience of the highest quality which enables young
men to develop their maximum potential as lifelong learners and assets to
society and the Church.
As graduates of St. Pat’s, Tom (’82) and Bill (’83) know first-hand the lasting value of a Lasallian education. The ethics and philosophies taught there have impacted many of the decisions they’ve made in their lives.
Funds from this year’s event will go towards the creation of an endowment to provide financial aid to students whose family are going through a cancer struggle.
Sally's Studio - art therapy for Cancer Patients at Lutheran General Hospital

Sally’s Studio is a non-for profit Art Therapy Program, funded by the Beat Tom & Bill Charity Golf Outing
In 2009, we sponsored Sally Gorney-Avila and her family and friends wanted to create a separate charity to directly help cancer patients on an ongoing basis.
Their journey begins with Lutheran General Hospital and their Advanced Center for Care. This program combines Sally's love of art with the strength and tenacity she exhibited while fighting this disease. Their goal is to help make a patient's day a bit brighter as they receive their cancer treatment. The hope of Sally's Studio is that this program will open the door to the art world, provide meditative meditative relaxation, or simply put a smile on each patient's face. It is our way of channeling our love and energy for Sally into a positive force by creating a program to honor her legacy.
Sally's Studio is made possible by The Schneider Family Fund, our BTB Foundation, and other private donations in conjunction with the Brickton Art Center. located at Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL. Sally's Studio is completly free to all patients receiving cancer treatments at Lutheran General Hospital and is intended to promote healing, balance and good vibes.
In 2009, we sponsored Sally Gorney-Avila and her family and friends wanted to create a separate charity to directly help cancer patients on an ongoing basis.
Their journey begins with Lutheran General Hospital and their Advanced Center for Care. This program combines Sally's love of art with the strength and tenacity she exhibited while fighting this disease. Their goal is to help make a patient's day a bit brighter as they receive their cancer treatment. The hope of Sally's Studio is that this program will open the door to the art world, provide meditative meditative relaxation, or simply put a smile on each patient's face. It is our way of channeling our love and energy for Sally into a positive force by creating a program to honor her legacy.
Sally's Studio is made possible by The Schneider Family Fund, our BTB Foundation, and other private donations in conjunction with the Brickton Art Center. located at Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL. Sally's Studio is completly free to all patients receiving cancer treatments at Lutheran General Hospital and is intended to promote healing, balance and good vibes.
The Cancer Care Foundation

When one is diagnosed with cancer, countless emotional, physical, and financial worries inevitably result. Yet with the financial burden of medical care, many are unable to receive psychosocial support.
The Cancer Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers free counseling and support services to cancer patients and their loved ones. Their services are most accessible to those who live in north suburban Cook County, although they have clients from all over Chicago land. Please click here for more information on their programs
The goal of The Cancer Care Foundation is to help those who feel as if there is nowhere else to turn. We listen, support and empower
The Cancer Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers free counseling and support services to cancer patients and their loved ones. Their services are most accessible to those who live in north suburban Cook County, although they have clients from all over Chicago land. Please click here for more information on their programs
The goal of The Cancer Care Foundation is to help those who feel as if there is nowhere else to turn. We listen, support and empower