Tinley Park

Tinley Park Shows True Meaning of Friendship

On a beautiful summer morning in Tinley Park, Illinois, 450 people gathered to make a difference in the fight for colorectal cancer awareness.

The inaugural Tinley Park Get Your Rear in Gear event was an overwhelming success, thanks in large part to the determined efforts of the local planning committee. When a group of friends decided to pay tribute to one of their own, Rick Hayward, lost too soon to this cancer, they only dared to dream so many would join them in their mission.

We were pleased to be joined by Mayor Ed Zabrocki, a cancer survivor himself to begin the day. Celeste Hayward followed, thanking all who had come out for this important cause and recognizing her friends and family who helped put together this incredibly well run event. Over 100 runners completed the course, and the winners were:

1st Place Men: Brian Syring, 17:29, Tinley Park
2nd Place Men: Mark Litrell, 18:01
3rd Place Men: Ben Moss, 19:00

1st Place Woman: Kailyn Kuzmuk, 18:55, Tinley Park
2nd Place Woman: Tricia Doherty, 20:16, Chicago
3rd Place Woman: Kelly Kuzmuk, 21:12, Tinley Park

This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Rick Hayward, a long time Tinley Park resident, who lost his battle to colon cancer in November of 2008. The Rick’s Weeoo Walkers were our largest team with over 100 people and helped raise over $10,000.

Along with Rick, we remembered Lisa Gronek, who also was a Tinley Park resident and whose family participated in the Chicago event, and Jeff Bunna, who lost his battle last August but was remembered by his wife, six children and extended family with their “Jogging for Jeff” team. We always take time to celebrate our survivors and remember those we have lost or those still in the battle.

It is the goal for all the Get Your Rear in Gear events to increase awareness of colorectal cancer, so more people understand that this cancer can be prevented with regular screening, and is easily treatable with early detection. It is also important that if you aren’t feeling well, that you should see your doctor and don’t ignore symptoms, no matter what age you are. We lost Rick, Lisa and Jeff before the age of 50, the usual age to begin screening for colorectal cancer, so everyone needs to pay attention to their own bodies.