Old School Friends Aid Local Woman With Breast Cancer

Just a few moments after having a bilateral mastectomy and lymph nodes removed last April, Lisa Bedford-Burnoski wrote on her Facebook wall: "The world does stop … I feel alone and scared." 

Burnoski had no idea how not alone she actually was. In fact, Burnoski, a 39-year-old mother of two little boys, was far from it.

A group of old friends from and Romeoville High School reached out.

But more on them later.

Like working mothers across the country Burnoski, a case analyst, juggled the demands of work, marriage and motherhood. When Burnoski felt a lump under her arm while showering, she wasn’t worried but wanted it checked out nonetheless.

Burnoski was stunned to learn she would be battling HER2 positive breast cancer.

HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer, but can be successfully fought with unusually extensive forms of treatment.

"I had a port-a-catheter inserted underneath my shoulder blade. Chemo started last June and at first, I though, 'OK, this is not so bad,'" Burnoski said. "Then it hit me. I felt like I had the worst flu of my life for two weeks. I had one week to recover, then it started all over again."

This past October, Burnoski, began a six-week radiation regimen costing $18,000 out of pocket per session for 28 sessions.

"Everyone has been so supportive," she said. "My mom is local to help out with the kids, my husband, my friends and especially my boss. I was home for four months on medical leave. But the reality is to not lose my insurance, I had to go back to work."

Although a fighter, Burnoski continues to struggle with the emotional toll of disease.

"I try not to think about how much we owe," she said. "The medical bills are enormous and it just gets too overwhelming."

Enter that group of high school friends.

Using word of mouth, the women—Connie Roeder, Carrie Garcia, Lisa Marshall, Debbie Stapleton, Dana Kubiak, Erica Rudis and Natalia Parrish—formed a benefit committee and organized an event to help raise money for Burnoski’s mounting debt.

On March 20 the Kick Cancer in the Bum benefit will be held at the . The event includes brunch, live and silent auctions, item raffles, a 50/50 raffle and a cash bar.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children. For more information, to donate or purchase a ticket visit www.benefitforlisa.com.