MONROE - Cancer runs in her family, so when Leah Houston, Monroe, found out her sister had the disease, it was scary, she said.
"It was very emotional," Houston said. "She's my only sibling."
Houston's sister, Stacie Fidlar, was only 38 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.
Unmarried and living in Rock Island, Ill., Fidlar's only immediate sources of emotional support were Houston and their parents, who live in Cordova, Ill.
"We all tried to be very positive, especially my older children (girls ages 11 and 8)," Houston said. "They are very close to her - she dotes on them."
Fidlar underwent seven weeks of radiation, five days a week.
Now, cancer-free for two years, Fidlar is joining Houston for the 39-mile Avon Walk for Cancer June 5 and 6, in Chicago.
More than 3,000 people will be participating in the walk, Houston said.
Houston is entering the walk, not only for her sister, but also for their grandmother, their aunt and all women who have faced breast cancer, she said. But mostly, she wants to give hope to women, such as her three daughters, so they won't have to face the disease in the future.
"Early detection and prevention is great," she said. "That's what caught hers (Fidlar's)."
Cancer impacts the whole family when it is diagnosed in one member, which is one reason why Houston and her young daughters have planned a family-friendly event to raise her $1,800 participation entry cost for the Avon Walk.
Their fundraiser, Pink Ribbon Dinner and Game Night, will be held Friday at the Monroe United Methodist Church.
The pasta buffet, including Caesar salad, dessert and drinks, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. for $5 per person, and up to $20 for families. The food is being donated by Vince's Pizzeria and Pizza Hut.
Games for children and adults start at 6 p.m. Children will have the chance to participate in face painting, a bucket toss, a fishing and duck pond and a small jumping house. Euchre and bingo are planned for adults. A silent auction will also take place.
All proceeds go toward the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and are tax-deductible.
Houston is also looking for sponsors. All companies donating, regardless of the amount, will be listed on posters and correspondence.
For $100 or more, companies can also have their logo printed on the back of her T-shirts. For more information on T-shirts, contact Heartland Graphics, Monroe.
On May 10 and June 2, Vince's will also donate a portion of their daily proceeds to Houston's efforts for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
"It was very emotional," Houston said. "She's my only sibling."
Houston's sister, Stacie Fidlar, was only 38 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.
Unmarried and living in Rock Island, Ill., Fidlar's only immediate sources of emotional support were Houston and their parents, who live in Cordova, Ill.
"We all tried to be very positive, especially my older children (girls ages 11 and 8)," Houston said. "They are very close to her - she dotes on them."
Fidlar underwent seven weeks of radiation, five days a week.
Now, cancer-free for two years, Fidlar is joining Houston for the 39-mile Avon Walk for Cancer June 5 and 6, in Chicago.
More than 3,000 people will be participating in the walk, Houston said.
Houston is entering the walk, not only for her sister, but also for their grandmother, their aunt and all women who have faced breast cancer, she said. But mostly, she wants to give hope to women, such as her three daughters, so they won't have to face the disease in the future.
"Early detection and prevention is great," she said. "That's what caught hers (Fidlar's)."
Cancer impacts the whole family when it is diagnosed in one member, which is one reason why Houston and her young daughters have planned a family-friendly event to raise her $1,800 participation entry cost for the Avon Walk.
Their fundraiser, Pink Ribbon Dinner and Game Night, will be held Friday at the Monroe United Methodist Church.
The pasta buffet, including Caesar salad, dessert and drinks, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. for $5 per person, and up to $20 for families. The food is being donated by Vince's Pizzeria and Pizza Hut.
Games for children and adults start at 6 p.m. Children will have the chance to participate in face painting, a bucket toss, a fishing and duck pond and a small jumping house. Euchre and bingo are planned for adults. A silent auction will also take place.
All proceeds go toward the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and are tax-deductible.
Houston is also looking for sponsors. All companies donating, regardless of the amount, will be listed on posters and correspondence.
For $100 or more, companies can also have their logo printed on the back of her T-shirts. For more information on T-shirts, contact Heartland Graphics, Monroe.
On May 10 and June 2, Vince's will also donate a portion of their daily proceeds to Houston's efforts for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.