Oak Forest-Tinley Park
game will benefit cancer research
Toyota Park match honors memory of Julia Janes
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Julia Janes was a poised, confident and radiant young woman who lit up a room. She was skilled with languages, and had a buoyant spirit and personality. A brilliant student, Julia had a great passion for soccer, seeing in it a chance at self-expression, the possibility of wonder and the thrill of being part of a team. Then, the unthinkable began.
At the age of 16, Julia was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
"She was a beautiful, intelligent, giving, caring individual who fought with the strength and grace of one thousand men, and she never lost hope," Oak Forest coach Stacey Lane said.
Through rigorous and painful treatments including chemotherapy and physical rehabilitation, she learned to walk again. Julia graduated from Oak Forest a member of the National Honors Society.
At Bradley University, she remained active in volunteer and charity work and was instrumental in establishing a college chapter of CureSearch, a coalition of doctors organized to help combat pediatric cancers.
During her freshman year of college, she was stricken with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She bravely fought through it, and again appeared triumphant. Tragically, cancer returned a third time, and she lost her struggle on November 14, 2013.
Jeffrey and Leslie Janes created a foundation in memory of their daughter. Julia's Legacy of Hope is designed to raise money for the organization Cure It, the brainchild of one of Julia's first oncologists, Dr. Canner. The organization raises money for pediatric cancer research.
On Saturday morning, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Julia's adored Oak Forest side is set to take on rival Tinley Park, with all proceeds going to Cure It.
"We started this benefit match last year as a way for the sport of soccer and the community she so loved to give a little back," Lane said.
"I asked Michelle Youngberg, the coach at Tinley Park, if she would be part of the fundraiser, knowing that there is quite a rivalry and many of the players from the two teams have grown up playing with and against each other."
In the inaugural event last year, players from both teams sold custom made T-shirts, organized bake sales and sold tickets to students.
In the first year of Julia's Legacy of Hope, the family donated nearly $40,000 to Cure It, endowed two college scholarships and donated artwork and special commemorative materials to children with cancer at Hope and Lurie children's hospitals.
The event is not just a fundraiser but an act of memory that honors the courage and selflessness of a vibrant and remarkable young woman.
"In all honesty, she can not be described with words, as they do not do her justice," Lane said.
Oak Forest enters the match at 9-7. Lane's side has developed significantly since the start of the year. The team is dominated by underclassmen with six sophomores and two freshmen who have seen time this year.
"After initially inputting a new system of play, we have steadily improved throughout the season," Lane said. "As long as we stay healthy, we should finish out the season strong."
The Tinley Park and Oak Forest match opens a high school doubleheader at Toyota Park. In the second game, district rivals Niles West and Niles North resume their famed "Skokie Skirmish," transplanted to the southwest side.
The second game is scheduled to start at noon. Both games will be streamed at www.highschoolcube.com.
game will benefit cancer research
Toyota Park match honors memory of Julia Janes
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Julia Janes was a poised, confident and radiant young woman who lit up a room. She was skilled with languages, and had a buoyant spirit and personality. A brilliant student, Julia had a great passion for soccer, seeing in it a chance at self-expression, the possibility of wonder and the thrill of being part of a team. Then, the unthinkable began.
At the age of 16, Julia was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
"She was a beautiful, intelligent, giving, caring individual who fought with the strength and grace of one thousand men, and she never lost hope," Oak Forest coach Stacey Lane said.
Through rigorous and painful treatments including chemotherapy and physical rehabilitation, she learned to walk again. Julia graduated from Oak Forest a member of the National Honors Society.
At Bradley University, she remained active in volunteer and charity work and was instrumental in establishing a college chapter of CureSearch, a coalition of doctors organized to help combat pediatric cancers.
During her freshman year of college, she was stricken with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She bravely fought through it, and again appeared triumphant. Tragically, cancer returned a third time, and she lost her struggle on November 14, 2013.
Jeffrey and Leslie Janes created a foundation in memory of their daughter. Julia's Legacy of Hope is designed to raise money for the organization Cure It, the brainchild of one of Julia's first oncologists, Dr. Canner. The organization raises money for pediatric cancer research.
On Saturday morning, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Julia's adored Oak Forest side is set to take on rival Tinley Park, with all proceeds going to Cure It.
"We started this benefit match last year as a way for the sport of soccer and the community she so loved to give a little back," Lane said.
"I asked Michelle Youngberg, the coach at Tinley Park, if she would be part of the fundraiser, knowing that there is quite a rivalry and many of the players from the two teams have grown up playing with and against each other."
In the inaugural event last year, players from both teams sold custom made T-shirts, organized bake sales and sold tickets to students.
In the first year of Julia's Legacy of Hope, the family donated nearly $40,000 to Cure It, endowed two college scholarships and donated artwork and special commemorative materials to children with cancer at Hope and Lurie children's hospitals.
The event is not just a fundraiser but an act of memory that honors the courage and selflessness of a vibrant and remarkable young woman.
"In all honesty, she can not be described with words, as they do not do her justice," Lane said.
Oak Forest enters the match at 9-7. Lane's side has developed significantly since the start of the year. The team is dominated by underclassmen with six sophomores and two freshmen who have seen time this year.
"After initially inputting a new system of play, we have steadily improved throughout the season," Lane said. "As long as we stay healthy, we should finish out the season strong."
The Tinley Park and Oak Forest match opens a high school doubleheader at Toyota Park. In the second game, district rivals Niles West and Niles North resume their famed "Skokie Skirmish," transplanted to the southwest side.
The second game is scheduled to start at noon. Both games will be streamed at www.highschoolcube.com.