When Downers Grove resident Casey Patton was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006, she found a new mission.
Through her treatment at Children’s Memorial Hospital, she met many children with similar problems and wanted to help them. She started with a goal of raising $3,500 for the hospital by selling “Be the Cure” T-shirts. After receiving $13,000 between donations and the sale of 1,000 shirts, she decided to keep going.
| On the Web For more information on Casey Patton’s mission, visit be-the-cure.com. |
The Downers Grove South High School senior, who is a member of two school choirs, planned to end her fundraising efforts in December as part of the school’s holiday concert. But the incredible support has driven Casey and the rest of her “Be the Cure” team to not stop now.
“It’s going full speed ahead. It would be like stopping a locomotive,” said Casey’s mother, Diane Patton. “We can't stop now, because we have the potential to raise a lot of money for children.”
Patton said the fundraiser has been spreading across the area, especially since many students wore their shirts at homecoming and the volleyball game between Downers Grove North and South high schools. O’Neill Middle School in Downers Grove ran out of T-shirts at their sale and are doing a “Be the Cure” day Friday. They also have been called by Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove as well as a woman who wants to have gifts from her wedding go to “Be the Cure” because she was affected by cancer. So far, the group has $42,000.
Casey still is receiving chemotherapy and going to high school part-time. Recently, she has been applying to colleges and scheduling auditions with their musical theater programs while continuing her fundraising efforts.
“My family and my friends really help me a lot with it,” she said. “It seems like a lot of work, but it’s not because it directly affects me and my family. It’s something that we want to do, which makes it a lot easier.”
In the last week, Downers Grove South music students have raised $5,000 for “Be the Cure.” The money will be presented at the Holiday Show, where Casey will be performing said Glenn Williams, director of Downers South’s Fine Arts Department.
“It’s a great cause and most of the students and teachers know Casey, so that makes it an easy thing for people to get on board with because of who she is,” Williams said. “Rather than drawing closure, it’s helping her bring more momentum.”
