When Kathleen Casey enters a room, people take notice. Kathleen possesses a rare mix of passion, beauty and charisma familiar to those who many see as leaders among peers; a blend that commands attention and admiration. When I had the privilege of sitting down with one of Chicago Magazine’s 2007 Chicagoans of the Year, Kathleen’s presence was the first thing I experienced. What followed was a pleasant conversation that brought clarity to why she is a Chicago Non-Profit Hero. Kathleen’s Struggle In 1986, Kathleen’s son Barrett, affectionately called “Bear,” was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Bear was given favorable odds to beat his cancer as his was found at an early stage that gave his support group a sense of confidence and great hope that Bear would survive. The next few years were filled with ups and downs for Kathleen and her family as Bear’s cancer receded and came back again and again. In 1993, Bear’s fight came to an end. He passed away in January after a 5 ½ year battle with the disease.
It was during Bear’s fight with cancer that the idea for Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation was born. Kathleen credits the inspiration for the organization to her son, vividly recalling a time in the hospital when Bear had asked her to bring some McDonald’s french fries for his roommate – a child also fighting cancer who did not have the same support as Bear. It was this simple, innocent recognition from one child to another that inspired Kathleen. Despite Bear’s condition, he never stopped thinking of others. Kathleen has embraced this and found a way to repeat it successfully through Bear Necessities. This selfless act of giving has kept Bear’s dream and his family’s organization alive.
Since 1992, Bear Necessities has continued to grow to what it is today – an organization that attempts to touch the lives of every family whose child is diagnosed with cancer. Kathleen has transformed Bear’s simple acts of selflessness into one of Bear Necessities three outreach programs through their “Small Miracle” platform. Small Miracles see to it that kids get a dream come true, from private movie screenings to spa treatments to prom dates – there is no request that cannot become a reality for the kids in Kathleen’s care through Bear Necessities. The other two programs include Annual Research Funding – which sees to it that junior investigative researchers get seed money to further research new and innovative ways to curing cancer – and the Information and Support Services which educates and supports the families of the children diagnosed with cancer.
Kathleen’s innovation through Bear Necessities has ensured that no family in Illinois has to fight this disease alone – that no child is left without the simple pleasures of being a kid despite their fighting this disease. Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a model of how to transform loss into hope. Kathleen’s organization has created countless stories of triumph and compassion, and as long as she is around, there is no limit to the reach of her son to those who have joined in the fight of defeating this disease.
To find out more about this organization and how to get involved, visit www.BearNecessities.org.
Written and Edited by Randy Dill
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