Friends aid woman's cancer fight

Family and friends are hosting a fundraiser on Nov. 8 to help a New Lenox woman diagnosed with breast cancer.

The fundraiser will be at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park and will feature food, drinks and a Bears game.

"Hopefully, we'll watch the Bears win," said Jim McAteer, one of the coordinators.

In January Kris Toborg, Provena Saint Joseph Inwood Athletic Club instructor and mother of two young boys, received a breast cancer diagnosis. Two days later she began chemotherapy and eight months later she was back to work. Her most recent tests show the cancer is gone, McAteer said.

Cancer treatments are pricey, even with health insurance. To help offset those expenses, Toborg's family and friends decided to host the fundraiser, which will include a silent auction and an opportunity to win $5,000. R.S.V.P.s are not required to attend.

"Just pop in," McAteer said. "Tickets are available at the door."

He said Toborg and her family have always played a huge role in the Joliet community. Her father, Bill Fitzgerald, was deputy chief of the Joliet Police Department for 32 years. Toborg is a former St. Francis Academy student who later taught kindergarten in Frankfort.

She is now a stay-at-home mom for Max, 7, and Ben, 5, who keep her busy with baseball and soccer. In the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic community, Toborg served as co-president of the homes and school board. She has coached the pom squad at Joliet Catholic Academy.

Her husband, Shaun, spent five years working with children with mental and physical disabilities. He is also a baseball and soccer coach in the Joliet community.

Nevertheless, Toborg is finding all the attention for her benefit a bit awkward, McAteer said.

"She has that 'Oh, my God! What are you guys doing?' attitude," McAteer said. "But I said, 'Look, we're doing it to help you so be quiet, show up and have fun.' "