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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Bear Necessities
4Foundation on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In 1992, Bear Necessities was founded by Kathleen
6A. Casey following the death of her son, Barrett "Bear" Krupa,
7who passed away after fighting pediatric cancer for
8five-and-a-half years; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Kathleen Casey discussed creating Bear
10Necessities with her eight-year-old son during his courageous
11battle with Wilms Tumor, when he expressed concern for other
12pediatric cancer patients, showing more concern for others
13than for himself; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities was born from the need of
15patients and their families for support above and beyond
16standard medical care; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities, through its Bear Hug program,
18partners with families to make children's dreams come true
19through a close network of friends, donors, and volunteers;
20and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities' work is scientifically backed
2to produce better psychosocial outcomes for children with
3cancer, inspiring children to build the strength to cope with
4their illnesses; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities provides patients receiving MIBG
6radiation treatment with room decorations, soft blankets,
7toys, and more to be more comfortable and happy while
8receiving treatment; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Bear Discoveries works in tandem to create a
10world without pediatric cancer, partnering with Alex's
11Lemonade Stand Foundation to support pediatric cancer
12research; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Since its partnership began in 2022, Bear
14Necessities has contributed $200,000 to Alex's Lemonade Stand
15Foundation to make a greater impact in the search for a cure to
16pediatric cancer; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities also provides financial relief
18to families who qualify for Bear Hugs, partners members of
19their Young Professionals Board with Bear Hug recipients to
20cheer them on in their fight against cancer, offers activities
21in the Chicagoland for their families, offers counseling in
22partnership with SamaraCare Counseling, and offers Hope

 

 

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1Education Scholarships to provide those touched by pediatric
2cancer with hope for a brighter future; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities, from its Chicago headquarters
4to its Florida chapter in southwest Florida, achieves its
5mission in helping kids rediscover their childhood while a
6cure is sought for pediatric cancer; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9we congratulate the Bear Necessities Foundation on its 30th
10anniversary, and we commend the foundation for its honorable
11mission in giving children fighting pediatric cancer the
12precious gift of a childhood; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That we continue to walk with children and
14families affected by the tragedy and difficulty of pediatric
15cancer, and we continue to work towards a world with a cure for
16pediatric cancer; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we congratulate Bear Necessities Pediatric
18Cancer Foundation CEO Kate Tillotson and founder Kathleen A.
19Casey for helping children with pediatric cancer in the
20Chicagoland and southwestern Florida communities for 30 years,
21and we thank them for all they do to fight for a world where no
22child is touched by pediatric cancer; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
2presented to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation CEO
3Kate Tillotson and founder Kathleen A. Casey as an expression
4of our esteem and respect.