She is cherished by her family and admired by the community. She demonstrates strength, courage, and concern for others. Meet the hero inside these local moms....
KERRY QUIRIN, DOWNERS GROVE
Fight Brenna Fight
Life threw a curveball at Kerry in 2012 when her daughter Brenna was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. She did what any mom would do and encouraged her daughter to strike back and hit hard. Spearheading the battle for Fight Brenna Fight, Kerry led the path for raising funds for CureSearch, an organization that conducts research on childhood cancers. She will stop at nothing to ensure a healthy and happy life for her daughter and other children afflicted by cancer.
KIM WOLF, NAPERVILLE
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
After her son Jack was diagnosed with autism, Kim had many questions about his development, as well as what opportunities would be available for him as he grew older, so she co-founded Turning Pointe Autism Foundation in 2007. With a goal of providing autistic individuals with the tools necessary to achieve a more independent adult life, Kim was instrumental in the 2012 opening of the new Education and Career Development Center in Naperville.
SAMANTHA CHEATHAM, HINSDALE
Hinsdale Humane Society
Samantha is a single mom raising a daughter who has autism, while working tirelessly at Hinsdale Humane Society. Because of Samantha’s unending commitment and care, hundreds of dogs and cats find loving homes each year. As assistant operations manager, she ensures animals are placed in forever homes, even if that means adopting them herself…her cat Dunka and Chihuahua Joey are HHS rescues. Samantha extends her work in the community with volunteer events throughout the year.
WENDI DWYER, GENEVA
Lost Boys Rebuilding South Sudan
Wendi, mother of four, is an advocate for refugees and the executive director of Lost Boys Rebuilding South Sudan and is working diligently to help raise the literacy rate in South Sudan. She was inspired by the Lost Boys’ perseverance in the face of adversity and quickly realized that no one can be free without access to education. She has been instrumental in funding, training, and research for the organization.
-Photos Submitted
