Children's Hospital of Illinois

Dancing With The Stars dancer Cheryl Burke was in Peoria October 24th for the Women's Lifestyle Show.

While she was here, she paid a special visit to Rebecca Grys, 17, of Pekin, a Children's Hospital patient who is undergoing treatment for severe scoliosis. Rebecca, whose family was featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edi...tion last fall, is an avid DWTS fan. In fact, her bedroom features a ballroom dancing theme.

She was very excited about the surprise visit from Cheryl, who promised Rebecca tickets to a future DWTS show!Read More

Dancing With The Stars dancer Cheryl Burke was in Peoria October 24th for the Women's Lifestyle Show.

While she was here, she paid a special visit to Rebecca Grys, 17, of Pekin, a Children's Hospital patient who is undergoing treatment for severe scoliosis. Rebecca, whose family was featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edi...tion last fall, is an avid DWTS fan. In fact, her bedroom features a ballroom dancing theme.

She was very excited about the surprise visit from Cheryl, who promised Rebecca tickets to a future DWTS show!Read More

Representatives from Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria have accepted a check from organizers of the inaugural John Daly and Friends Charity Golf Outing and Concert which was held September 10, 2009 in Bloomington, IL.

Headlined by professional golfer John Daly, the day featured a round of golf at The Den at Fox... Creek and a concert at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

During his time in central Illinois in September, Daly visited patients at Children’s Hospital. One patient, Jeremy Davis, 16, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, made a real impression on Daly. They discussed their love of music and Daly promised to do something special for Jeremy. True to his word, Wesley Johnson, Daly’s good friend and organizer of the fundraiser, returned to Children’s Hospital on October 21st and brought Jeremy a guitar signed by Darius Rucker and other members of Hootie and the Blowfish – a gift arranged by Daly.

“It’s a side of John that most people don’t see,” said Johnson. “John cares about kids and he was really affected by Jeremy’s story and wanted to do something special for him. To hear Jeremy say the guitar will motivate him in his therapy to regain the use of his arm will mean the world to John.”

Daly plans to return to central Illinois next year for another fundraiser.Read More

Ten area students have been honored by CEFCU and Children’s Hospital of Illinois
for having their designs selected for the 2009 holiday greeting cards. A reception and awards ceremony were held October 13th at CEFCU’s Airport office in Peoria.

This is the 25th year CEFCU has sponsored the contest to select designs for t...he cards.
More than 1,200 entries from throughout central Illinois submitted entries in various categories.

All proceeds from the sale of the cards benefit Children's Hospital of Illinois.

The 2009 winners are:
• Clarice McCormick, 9, of Normal (Grove Elementary School/9-years & under)
• Ashley LaFayette, 11, of Normal (Parkside Jr. High School/10-12 years category)
• Samantha O’Connor, 14, of Tremont (Tremont High School/13-15 years category)
• Elizabeth Mathis, 17, of Tremont (Tremont High School/16-18 years category)
• Kyle Anderson, 17, of Tremont (Tremont High School/Corporate Card category)
• Lynelle Fehr, 16, of Tremont (Tremont High School/Inspirational category)

Runners-Up are:
• Caroline Cannell of Metamora (Metamora Grade School/9-years and under)
• Molly Sluga of Metamora (St. Mary’s Grade School/10-12 years category)
• Caleb Oswald of Tremont (Tremont High School/13-15 years category)
• Megan Nagy of Peoria (Peoria Notre Dame High School/16-18 years category)

The cards, which cost $10 for a package of 20 cards, will be sold at the following locations beginning in early November: All area CEFCU member centers; all area Kroger stores; Schnucks stores in Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, and Normal; The Red Barn in Morton; OSF Saint Francis Medical Center gift shop; and Children’s Hospital Foundation offices in Peoria and Bloomington.
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