Salute our PINK CELEBRITIES

 Jean lives in Springfield with her husband Karl, four dogs, and two cats! Additionally, she has two sons, Noah and Isaac. 

Retiring from the IL Dept of Public Health, Jean served as an RN within the Office of Women’s Health. Having supported the IL Breast and Cervical Cancer Program for 10 years, she was all too familiar with diagnosis and treatment.

Jean was diagnosed 42 days into retirement. “After multiple setbacks, I’m happy to say I’m feeling healthy again. I had radiation and am on a hormone suppressor for five years. Special shout out to my husband for supporting me during one of the hardest times in my life.”

When asked to help with “Drink for the Pink”, Jean did not hesitate. She’s committed to serving her community’s breast cancer fundraising events. In fact, Jean served on the planning committee for the first Komen Race held in Springfield.

Kerri lives in Springfield with her two cats and works at the Illinois Department of Human Services. She enjoys traveling, working in her yard, riding her wave runner, and motorcycling! Most of all, Kerri enjoys her five grandchildren, “the lights of her life.” When asked why she was so willing to volunteer for “Drink for the Pink”, Kerri shared:  “Shortly after losing my husband to cancer, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The thought of fighting this alone was terrifying. I was lucky and did not need a lot of follow-up treatment after surgery. This is my way to help other women know they are not alone and to help them with the care they need so they can focus on themselves and their families.”

 After living in Chicago, Atlanta & Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Laura moved home to Springfield in 2008. She cohabitates with her adorable, sweet, giant dog, Mya! Laura is the proud owner of Spavia Day Spa. Outside of her work responsibilities, she enjoys spending time with Rick, whom she describes as amazing! She does Cross Fit 4-5 days a week and has taken on leadership roles in the King’s Daughters Organization, Together Women Rise, and Rotary. Laura is a long-time member of Blessed Sacrament Church. She shared that having her 27-year-old cancerous implants removed in 2020 after receiving a diagnosis of Breast Implant Lymphoma, led her to support the “Drink for the Pink” event. She is cancer free, diligently testing at Barnes Jewish every 6 months.  

Marsha lives in Sherman with her husband Greg and “Eddie” (the family cat)! They have two children, Morgan and Sam, and they LOVE spending time with their two grandchildren, Colby and Rylee.

Marsha retired from the State of Illinois after having served for 37 years. Over the past seven years, she has been keeping very active with pickleball, golf, biking and traveling. 

In December 2020, Marsha was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, she received four weeks of radiation. Marsha shared, “By uniting and raising money, we can help the Memorial Foundation provide support and help cancer patients in need. It's nice to know people are out there trying to make a bad situation better.” 

Kelli and her husband Brad live in Sherman along with their son Aaron (who has autism and is her social butterfly) and their dog Sherman.  Additionally, Kelli and Brad have a daughter Abbie and son Ahabb.  Abbie, living in Williamsville,  is married with two children, Annabelle and Connor.  Ahabb, the youngest,  lives in Kansas City. 

   Kelli currently works as a Nurse Practitioner at Springfield Clinic in Radiation Oncology.  Additionally, she works per diem for two local hospice programs. Kelli has amassed nearly 40 years of service in palliative care, hospice, and radiation oncology. She shares, "I enjoy my "job" which does not feel like a job when I can assist others in their health/cancer journey. I want to be sure that patients and families are treated as if I was caring for my own family/friends."

Outside of work, Kelli enjoys spending time with family, friends and "Sherman", and has found a bit of time to travel.  "If I had more time and understood technology, I would enjoy getting all of my many photos organized!" 

Kelli is passionate about "giving back".  "My professional and personal encounters have been the inspiration for me to be active in fundraising for entities such as Autism, Alzheimer's, Food Pantry, and Oncology. My role within Palliative Care/ Hospice/Oncology helps me remain active in community awareness.  However, once my mother died of lung cancer and I developed breast cancer the following year, the interest was not only

professional but personal. I want others to have care, support, and resources."

 Mary lives in Spaulding and works in Fiscal / Administration at the IL Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police. She enjoys camping, boating, and spending time with family (husband Jim and daughter Kendra Reese) and good friends.  

  She has been very supportive of the “Drink for the Pink” event, sharing, “Cancer has touched so many people throughout my 

life. As a survivor I feel it’s important to give back and be as supportive to others as people have been to me.”

 Stephanie lives in Williamsville with her son T.J. and daughter Sydnie. She works at Watts Copy Systems as a Product Consultant. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with family and friends. Additionally, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. She shares, “As a survivor, it is important for me to give back and to help those who are currently fighting.” 

  Betsy lives in Springfield with her husband Chris. She shares how blessed and grateful she feels to have her sons, Adam and Corey, their wives, Liz and Courtney and grandchildren, Coby, Isla, Charlie, Henry and Ella (ages 3 through 8) living nearby.  Recently retired, Betsy is enjoying more time with her grandchildren, family, friends and helping out at Bella! 

When asked why she is so motivated to support “Drink for the Pink”, she shared, “I love helping because I had breast cancer and was surrounded by so much love & support from my family and from all the girls who are running the event. This is my way of giving back. I am very blessed!” 

    Carol and her German Shepherd Allie live in Springfield. She is semi-retired, never working more than 10 hours a week. “Being retired is the best job I have ever had!”  Outside of those 10-hour work weeks, Carol enjoys live music, music festivals, and camping. Additionally, she’s served on several non-profit boards, generally as the treasurer.  This has included assisting with accounting and obtaining grants and non-profit status with the IRS.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, I found the lump myself. The tumor was attached to a nerve, and I was in severe pain because it grew so fast. In less than three weeks, it went from the size of a pea to a grapefruit and was in 27 lymph nodes (stage 3b). I was told I had a 30% chance of living. I told them I had a 70% chance they were wrong. Nine months of chemo and nine weeks of radiation. I used humor to deal with cancer and my doctor encouraged me to write down my jokes because I would not remember them with chemo brain. Then she encouraged me to do stand up at the regional cancer meeting and other patients said it helped them so much not to take it so seriously and see the world differently.”

Carol shares how blessed she was to have a good job, insurance and plenty of accrued sick and vacation time. One of the women receiving chemo treatments the same time as Carol did not have insurance. “I could not imagine adding that stress on top of battling cancer. And that is why I am here to support others in similar circumstances; I want to support this community.” 

Rita and her husband Jim “Owen” are empty nesters living in Rochester with their dogs, Harley and Frankie. She currently
works as a human resources liaison with the IL Department of Natural Resources. While not working, Rita travels to St. Louis and Chicago to spend time with her daughters, Sydney and Maddie. She also enjoys exploring new music, podcasts and baking. Rita shared, “I’m happy to say it’s been 5 years since my diagnosis and I’m officially done with my treatment this month! Also proud to be a part of this amazing event, helping to support the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.”  

Carrie lives in Williamsville with her husband, Dan, and the family cat, Cuddles.  They have two children, Max and Maddie, and a new family addition, their son-in-law, Jacob!

The past 11 years, Carrie has worked at State Retirement Services.  But is looking forward to retirement and enjoying the freedom to choose what she’d like to do each day!

Carrie loves to stay active when not sitting at her desk.  Some of her hobbies are walking, running, pickleball, golf and family vacations.  Carrie shared, “My favorite place to hang out with the family is at the beach.  I also enjoy running in fundraisers or participating in some other way to help raise funds and awareness.”

When asked why she was so willing to volunteer for Drink for the Pink, Carrie responded, “Shortly after losing my mom to Multiple Myeloma, I was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma.  Thankfully, my daughter was very adamant about me getting to the doctor as soon as I found a lump on my collarbone.  The diagnosis really threw me for a downward spiral, and I didn't want to talk about it, because I didn't want to admit that I had the C-word.  After going through treatments and putting cancer into remission, I want others to know that they are not alone.  Nor is it something to be embarrassed about or think “what did I do wrong?”  I want to help others get through the difficult time and let them know that there are others who care and are there for all types of support.  We got this!!”

 Nikki is a lifelong native of Springfield currently living with her cute kitten, Princess. She has worked at Hope School for 19 years. Nikki shared, “Working with children with autism brings joy to my life.” She loves camping, having drinks with her co-workers and friends, and reading a good smut novel from time to time!

When asked about her willingness to volunteer for “Drink for the Pink”, she indicated that she is volunteering because she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. She said she was very young, and it not only changed her life drastically, but also her child’s life. She shared, “I'm honored to have the chance to support and help people the way people supported and helped me.”

Libbie lives north of Springfield in Presidential Lake Estates with her husband, John and Goldendoodle, Sander.  She has two stepchildren, Jeremy and Erin and one grandson, Mason.

In July 2021, Libbie retired from Comcast after 40 years of service!  She's grateful for having survived the numerous transitions, including six company changes.  Now she is enjoying morning workouts at Farrells, followed by whatever she chooses for the rest of the day.

Time with family and friends, traveling, specifically to Clearwater Beach, shopping at boutiques, and drinking wine, are all on Libbie's list of enjoyment.  She is planning a trip to Greece in September 2025, which is a place she's always wanted to visit.  She would also like to visit Italy and Ireland in the near future as well.

Libbie has been cancer free for two years.  She enjoys participating in the Drink for Pink event as it gives her an opportunity to meet new friends who have shared the same experience plus support a good cause, in hopes of helping others in the future.