FIRST GUEST: Glenn Bragiel, Uncle of Sara and Matthew Bragiel and spokesperson for Battling 4 the Bragiels
Imagine learning that a family member of yours was just diagnosed with cancer. Now imagine that that family member is just a teenager. And now imagine that just a few months later, another teen in your family was also diagnosed with cancer.
Glenn Bragiel knows all too well the devastation of hearing that news. His nephew Matthew was only 16 when was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in March of 2015. As if that wasn’t horrific enough, his niece Sara, 14, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma only four months later.
“It was devastating,” Glenn says. “Upon hearing the news, your whole world stops. All the little things in your life cease to matter, and you feel helpless.”
Both have completed their chemotherapy and are now in remission. While this is great news, Matthew and Sara will continue to need medical care. The family is hosting a benefit for them on April 30th at St. Laurence High School in Burbank from 3:00 – 8:00. Guests will enjoy cash prizes, a silent auction, refreshments, food, and live music from ’80s cover band Bad Medicine.
“The community has been absolutely fantastic,” Glenn says of the support the Bragiels have received.
Learn more about Sara and Matthew, get all the info about the fundraiser, and learn about other ways you can help, at battling4thebragiels.com.
SECOND GUEST: Reverend Scott Donahue, President and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls has been providing a safe home, quality education, life experiences, love, and trust to kids in crisis for 129 years.
The month of March is particularly special for Mercy Home as its March for Kids campaign brings people together all month long to help children who have been abused or neglected.
If you weren’t able to see them at the many St. Patrick’s Day parades and events around town earlier this month, you can still support their mission! Volunteers are always welcome year-round, or you can make a donation– Mercy Home is over 99% privately funded by the generous donations from people like you.
You can also take the pledge to end the cycle of abuse by clicking here.
Join the March and learn more at MercyHome.org.
THIRD GUESTS: Veronica Brown, Chicago Public Library Foundation Director of Individual Giving, and Joy Rooney, Event Committee Chair for the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Night in the Stacks
Dinner, dancing, and drinking: it’s not the normal recipe for a night at the library, but on Friday, April 8th from 7:00 – 11:00 PM, the Harold Washington Library Center will be one big party!
Guests will enjoy the event’s “Made in Chicago” theme, with food and refreshments reflecting this city’s famous hot spots. And don’t forget to enter the raffle, with some great prizes for some of the Windy City’s best attractions.
Veronica and Joy tell us all about the event, and what’s in store this year for the many programs provided by the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
Tickets are on sale now through nightinthestacks.org.
Weekend Journal airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 on US99.5 and 6:00 on US99.5 HD2 The Wolf.
Listen to this week’s full episode below.
Weekend Journal 3/27/16: Battling 4 the Bragiels, March for Kids, & a Night in the Stacks!
