Summer Sprint... ALWAYS BE KIND
ALWAYS BE KIND… A MOTTO THAT HELPED LARRY SURVIVE CANCER:
THEIR WHY: We started our organization as our way of repaying the kindness that our family received during my husbands cancer diagnosis and treatment. We also started the organization to spread the idea that kindness does indeed help to heal. Lastly, after seeing first hand the financial burden a cancer diagnosis can cause we want to help families to help ease some of that burden.
We have two primary goals. One is to help cancer patients and their families to ease some of the financial burdens of a cancer diagnosis so that they can focus on getting better. Second, is to spread the idea that simple kindness can help to heal. We believe that kindness helped my husband in his recovery.
During our first year, we raised just under $10,000 that was then donated to two primary beneficiaries - the Northwestern Memorial Foundation’s Patient Family Assistance Fund and UChicago Medicine’s Cancer Patient Emergency Fund. Financial distress starts with $15 for parking, $100 for meals, etc. Our donations have helped hundreds of of families handle the small expenses that add up.
We put our trust in two organizations that are pillars of the Chicago community - Northwestern and UChicago. In addition, we work directly with families that we know exactly where the money goes.
We mostly do this face to face and one person at a time by calling families we know are being affected by a cancer diagnosis and explaining the help we can provide. We also are working closely with the Northwestern Memorial Foundation for advice and counsel on how to slowly expand our reach.
We measure the impact in a couple of ways - first of course is our ability to donate to Northwester, UChicago and to individuals. Second is by hearing from people we have helped. Many do not want public promotion of their situation, but their expressions of appreciation for our small part in helping makes it all worth while for us. When we started this organization, we said that even if we help just ONE person, we will be a success. That has not changed.
JOIN FORCES: This will be our first attempt at a 5K walk/run. We plan to stay small for the foreseeable future. Next year, we may expand to a second even that may include a silent auction and other activities to raise more money. As we expand, we may reach beyond cancer patients and their families. The notion that Kindness can help to heal goes way beyond cancer.
“ We measure the impact in a couple of ways - first of course is our ability to donate to Northwester, UChicago and to individuals. Second is by hearing from people we have helped. Many do not want public promotion of their situation, but their expressions of appreciation for our small part in helping makes it all worth while for us. When we started this organization, we said that even if we help just ONE person, we will be a success. That has not changed. ”
Our 1st ever Always Be Kind 5K Walk/Run takes place on a scenic, course along the beaches of Lake Michigan starting at Montrose Beach. It starts at the Dock on Montrose Beach and heads south with amazing views of the most beautiful skyline in the world. Then returns back toward The Dock on Montrose Beach. All of the money raised will be donated by Always Be Kind to those who need it the most to help ease the cost of cancer treatment. We help people with the little things that add up - things like, parking, meals, lodging, etc. So every little bit helps. In 2023 we raised almost $10,000 that we donated to Northwestern Hospital and UChicago Hospital to help cancer paitents and their families. We are hoping that 2024 and for years to come we will continue to help many people!
