Benefit will help Pawnee resident battling cancer

State Journal-Register, The (Springfield, IL)

June 29--A benefit for a Pawnee resident will be held July 21 to help with expenses associated with her cancer treatment.

The benefit for JUDY WILLIS, 77, will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Locals, 609 Douglas St., Pawnee.

Willis, who retired in 1997 from Franklin Life Insurance Company, was diagnosed last November with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and has been undergoing treatment. This is the second time Willis has battled cancer, having had lymphoma four years ago. She was cleared of that cancer in March 2017.

MARILYN FITZPATRICK, a friend of Willis', has known Willis "a long, long time ... 35 years."

"Here's what the biggest problem is -- she falls through the cracks. She's not poor enough to get any help, and she's not rich enough to cover the bills. She's on Medicare," said Fitzpatrick, who initiated the benefit. "It's just sad to see what really happens to people who fall between the cracks.

"The money that we'll raise will go to her medical needs."

Donation for the benefit is $10 at the door.

The benefit will include a bags tournament, food, raffles and silent auction.

Auction items can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Snelling-Chevalier Real Estate, 621 Seventh St., Pawnee. (For pickup, call the office at 625-2411.)

For more information or to donate an item for the auction, email [email protected], message through Facebook or mail to Marsha Gehrs, P.O. Box 346, Pawnee, IL 62558.

For bags tournament information, contact Clint and Morgan LeMar at 899-2453.

For more information, call Lori Underwood at 825-7297; Marilyn Fitzpatrick, 415-8241; Marsha Gehrs, 414-5605; or JoLynn Anderson, 652-7005.

Monetary donations can be made at any United Community Bank location, made payable to Judy Willis Cancer Fund.

"Pawnee's not very big, but they are always helping. It's a very helping community," Fitzpatrick said. "Judy's worked hard and maintained. Her husband (Everett Willis) died suddenly (in 1994), and so she maintained an independent lifestyle until she got sick.

"She helped people. ... She has these garage sales, and I've seen her give stuff to little kids. ... She's a very nice lady."

Judy Willis, who was born and raised in Springfield, said she thanks everyone in Springfield and the surrounding communities for their help.

LORI UNDERWOOD, Willis' daughter, said that they thank people who have donated, including businesses in Springfield and the surrounding communities, and people who are helping with the upcoming benefit. They also thank Dr. EDEM AGAMAH with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and "all the wonderful nurses that's treated my mom."

"The nurses taking care of mom are angels from above," Underwood said.

Contact Tamara Browning: [email protected], 788-1534, twitter.com/tambrowningSJR.

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